PHOENIX SUNS

Original Valley Boy Kelly Oubre Jr. issues farewell to Suns fans

Nov 23, 2020, 9:42 AM | Updated: 9:55 am

Kelly Oubre Jr. #3 of the Phoenix Suns motions to the crowd against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart H...

Kelly Oubre Jr. #3 of the Phoenix Suns motions to the crowd against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 24, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns upgraded in a big way when they traded for floor general Chris Paul this offseason.

Unfortunately for Suns fans, in order to get Paul, they had to say farewell to small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., who was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was later dealt to the Golden State Warriors.

But before he goes and shares the court with Steph Curry and Draymond Green, Oubre had one last thing to say to Suns fans.

 

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A post shared by t$unami 🌊 (@kellyoubrejr)

“To all my Valley Boyz & Girls. Thank you for allowing me to give you my heart and $oul for the past two years,” Oubre said Sunday on Instagram. “It’s been a fun ride nonetheless. You’ve allowed me to creatively spread my wings, but also grow into the leader I’ve always known I could become, again I thank you for helping me find my $oul.

“Now it’s time to unlock that potential & rise from the ashes. I hope you felt my energy.”

Fittingly, the former Sun finished off the post with #TheOriginalValleyBoy.

His time in a Suns uniform may be over after just two seasons, but Oubre left a lasting impression on the team and community.

He connected almost immediately with fans and players alike after getting dealt to Phoenix from the Washington Wizards in 2018. Co-creating the Valley Boyz with Deandre Ayton, Oubre gave the fanbase and team a new identity to roll with.

Oubre also showed he could contribute on the court.

The small forward averaged 17.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 96 games played (67 starts) as a member of the Suns.

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