PHOENIX SUNS

Shawn Marion grateful for Mat Ishbia after Suns’ Ring of Honor announcement

Aug 10, 2023, 5:01 PM | Updated: 8:35 pm

The Phoenix Suns announced Wednesday that team legends Shawn Marion and Amar’e Stoudemire will see their name hoisted in the Ring of Honor this season.

Marion was drafted by Phoenix and played his rookie year during the 1999-2000 season and starred for the Suns for nine years. The Suns missed the playoffs only two times during “The Matrix’s” career, appearing in two conference finals in that time.

Marion found out he was being inducted into Phoenix’s Ring of Honor via a phone call from new owner Mat Ishbia. Marion’s reaction was the same as pretty much every Suns fan across the valley.

“What was the holdup?” Marion told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo.

“That is what I love about Mat. He said, ‘Listen Matrix, this should have been done with. We are correcting this right now.’ I respect that, he is a man of his word and making things happen in the Valley of the Sun.”

Ishbia has only been with the Suns for less than a year but is recognizing what makes Phoenix fans so proud of the team with the two inductions.

Additionally, Ishbia and the organization will redo the entire Ring of Honor to fit more names.

Marion was ultimately traded in the middle of 2008 to the Miami Heat that saw Shaquille O’Neal come to Arizona. Over the next 12 seasons after trading him, the Suns missed the playoffs 11 times.

Marion said he reflects on his time with Steve Nash and Stoudemire as it was painful they never won a championship. But, the forward was very grateful for leaving his all on the court with the Suns and his teammates.

Although Stoudemire and Marion will be inducted on separate nights, the forward said it is “awesome” to be announced with a former teammate.

“Amar’e had a great run in Phoenix,” Marion said.

“We set the tone and laid the foundation for a lot. It was a great run, I am truly happy for STAT.”

Phoenix Suns

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Shorthanded Suns hit wall offensively in loss to Nuggets

It was a steep uphill climb for the shorthanded Phoenix Suns on the second night of a back-to-back.

1 day ago

Bol Bol...

Damon Allred

Suns’ Bol Bol throws wild behind-the-back pass, sets up Damion Lee 3-pointer

Bol Bol took advantage of early minutes against the Nuggets by throwing a wild behind-the-back pass for an assist and following it up with a dunk.

1 day ago

Tom Izzo...

Associated Press

Tom Izzo ties Bob Knight’s Big Ten record with Mat Ishbia on hand for championship reunion

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo tied Bob Knight's Big Ten record for wins with Suns owner Mat Ishbia among the former champions attending for their team reunion.

1 day ago

Suns' Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal questionable against the Denver Nuggets....

Arizona Sports

Suns rule Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal out for Saturday’s game vs. Nuggets

The Suns listed Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as questionable for Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

1 day ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Suns avoid disaster, secure OT win via Booker and Allen heroics

We are better off not reviewing where the Phoenix Suns' 135-127 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz lands on the spectrum between nearly disastrous loss and spirit-lifting win.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots in front of Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler during the f...

Lance Hartzler

Devin Booker drops season-high 47, Grayson Allen hits buzzer-beater in win over Jazz

Devin Booker dropped a season-high 47, and Grayson Allen hit a pair of clutch 3s en route to a win over the Utah Jazz Friday night.

2 days ago

Shawn Marion grateful for Mat Ishbia after Suns’ Ring of Honor announcement