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'Much deserved': Devin Booker congratulates Amar'e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion for Phoenix Suns 'Ring of Honor'

Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
·3 min read
6

Amar'e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion will now join their "Seven Seconds or Less" teammate Steve Nash in the Phoenix Suns "Ring of Honor."

The Suns announced Wednesday that Stoudemire and Marion will be inducted during the 2023-24 season.

"This is amazing to be recognized by the Suns family in this way,” said Marion in a news release. “The fans in Phoenix are one-of-a-kind and this city will always be a part of me. My time with the Suns was special and I am looking forward to being inducted into the Ring of Honor.”

Devin Booker tweeted, "Matrix and STAT, Much deserved, Appreciate yall !!" in recognizing Marion and Stoudemire.

https://twitter.com/DevinBook/status/1689389592636723200?s=20

Stoudemire, Marion and Nash led the Suns under Mike D'Antoni as Phoenix played at a high tempo and pace that changed how basketball was played in the NBA.

“I bleed purple and orange, making this a tremendous honor to be inducted,” said Stoudemire in a news release. “My best and most transformative years came in Phoenix with the Suns. I have so much love for Suns fans and appreciation for the love they have always shown me. I am excited to reconnect with the fanbase in joining the Ring of Honor.”

Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire shoots against the Lakers in the Western Conference finals in 2010.
Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire shoots against the Lakers in the Western Conference finals in 2010.

Marion and Stoudemire will have separate ceremonies at a Suns home game at Footprint Center as dates will be announced at a later time.

“Shawn and Amar’e are two of the very best to ever wear a Phoenix Suns uniform,” said Suns team owner Mat Ishbia in a news release. “Shawn changed the game with his elite versatility and Amar’e was one of the most electrifying players the league has ever seen. Shawn and Amar’e helped define the Suns and inspired generations of fans, and our Suns family is incomplete without them in the Ring of Honor."

Marion averaged 18.4 points on 48.1% shooting, 10 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks in 660 regular season games over nine seasons with the Suns (1999-2008). He's fifth in franchise history in points (12,134), second in rebounds (6,616), steals (1,245) and third in blocks (894).

A two-time All-NBA and four-time All-Star selection, all with the Suns, Marion is the team’s all-time playoff leader with 706 postseason rebounds.

Stoudemire averaged 21.4 points on 54.4% shooting, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 516 regular season games over eight seasons with the Suns (2002-10). He's seventh in franchise history in points (11,035), third in rebounds (4,613), fifth in scoring average and blocks (722).

The electrifying big was named All-NBA five times (four with the Suns) that included a first-team selection 2006-07. He received six All-Star selections (five with the Suns) and earned 2002-03 NBA Rookie of the Year.

The Suns drafted Marion out of UNLV in 1999 and Stoudemire out of high school in 2002. They were both ninth overall selections.

“As we embark on the new era of Suns basketball it is a priority that we remain connected to our storied history," Ishbia continued. "We are excited to celebrate Shawn and Amar’e and properly recognize their incredible contributions and achievements."

Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Shawn Marion are among the best first-round picks in Suns history.
Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Shawn Marion are among the best first-round picks in Suns history.

Wearing No. 31 and No. 32 respectively, Marion and Stoudemire will be the 16th and 17th Suns inducted into the "Ring of Honor," joining Alvan Adams (33), Charles Barkley (34), Tom Chambers (24), Walter Davis (6), Connie Hawkins (42), Kevin Johnson (7), Dan Majerle (9), Steve Nash (13), Dick Van Arsdale (5) and Paul Westphal (44), as well as former team owner Jerry Colangelo, former coaches Cotton Fitzsimmons and John MacLeod, legendary voice of the Suns Al McCoy and longtime trainer Joe Proski.

The Suns will unveil a "reimagined" Ring of Honor this season, with further details to be announced later this month.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Devin Booker salutes Amar'e Stoudemire, Shawn Marion for Suns 'Ring of Honor'