C. J. Huntley Bio
C. J. Huntley (born January 6, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Valley Suns of the NBA G League. Standing 206 cm tall, he plays as a forward and is recognized for his shooting efficiency and rebounding at the collegiate and professional levels. Huntley rose to prominence during his final season at Appalachian State, where he became the program’s thirty-seventh player to reach 1,000 career points. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns before being assigned to the Valley Suns, the organization’s G League affiliate.
Early Life and Background
C. J. Huntley was born in Huntersville, North Carolina, and grew up in the Charlotte metropolitan area. He attended Davidson Day School, where he developed his basketball skills under the program’s coaching staff. The Huntersville native came from a supportive environment that allowed him to focus on his athletic development from a young age, and his height and mobility made him a natural fit for the frontcourt.
During his high school career at Davidson Day, Huntley steadily improved each season. In his junior year, he averaged 14 points per game and helped lead his team to the quarterfinals of the NCISAA 2A playoffs. That season, Davidson Day finished with an impressive 20–5 overall record, reflecting Huntley’s growing impact as a scoring forward.
Path to Basketball
Huntley’s performance at Davidson Day drew attention from college programs, and he committed to Appalachian State University, where he would spend five seasons developing his game. His path to college basketball reflected a traditional route: starring at a competitive private school in North Carolina before transitioning to NCAA Division I competition. The size and perimeter skills he displayed in high school suggested long-term potential as a stretch forward.
At Appalachian State, Huntley gradually built a more complete offensive repertoire. He refined his outside shot, expanded his rebounding responsibilities, and grew into a dependable contributor in the Sun Belt Conference. By his graduate senior year, he had developed into one of the most productive players in the Mountaineers’ program, earning Second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2025.
C. J. Huntley Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Huntley joined the Appalachian State Mountaineers for the 2021–22 season. In his freshman year, he appeared in 23 games, started three, and averaged 3.3 points per game while adjusting to the college level. He used the season to develop his conditioning and fundamentals against older competition.
As a sophomore, Huntley contributed 200 points, 113 rebounds, and 18 assists across the season, signaling a clear step forward. He recorded a then-career-high 20 points against South Alabama, a performance that highlighted his scoring upside. By his junior year, he had become a more consistent presence on the boards, grabbing at least six rebounds in seventeen different games and averaging 9.2 points per contest.
Appalachian State Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Huntley’s ascent accelerated during the 2023–24 season, when he shot 54 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc, both career-best marks at the time. On December 13, 2023, he set a new career high with 22 points against Queens, demonstrating an improved perimeter game. His efficiency from the floor established him as a reliable two-way contributor in the Sun Belt Conference.
In his final collegiate season as a graduate senior, Huntley elevated his production to 15.7 points per game. He became Appalachian State’s thirty-seventh player to score 1,000 career points, a milestone that cemented his legacy within the program. His strong senior campaign earned him Second-team All-Sun Belt recognition, reinforcing his status as one of the conference’s top forwards.
Valley Suns Era (2025–Present)
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Huntley signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns on June 26, 2025. The deal reflected the organization’s belief in his long-term potential as a developing forward. Although he did not appear in a game during his brief stint with the Suns, the contract gave him a direct pathway to NBA-level competition.
On November 17, 2025, the Suns waived Huntley following the signing of guard Jamaree Bouyea. Three days later, on November 20, 2025, he was added to the active roster of the Valley Suns, the G League affiliate of the Phoenix Suns. The assignment gave Huntley an opportunity to log meaningful minutes and continue his professional development.
Driving Style and Strengths
Huntley is recognized for his efficiency as a stretch forward. He has demonstrated the ability to shoot above 50 percent from the field while also stretching defenses with his three-point shooting. His rebounding consistency and length allow him to compete on the glass, and his gradual improvement in scoring average points to a player who develops steadily with extended playing time.
Notable Events and Milestones
Huntley’s signature moment came when he became Appalachian State’s thirty-seventh player to reach 1,000 career points during his graduate senior season. He also set a career high of 22 points against Queens on December 13, 2023, and earned Second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2025. Signing a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns marked his transition to the professional ranks.
C. J. Huntley Career Wins
While individual game-by-game win totals in the G League and college are not fully documented in verified sources, Huntley’s career has been marked by consistent statistical achievements and conference recognition. His scoring and rebounding milestones at Appalachian State, combined with his professional opportunity with the Valley Suns, reflect a clear upward trajectory.
Appalachian State Highlights
During his time with the Mountaineers, Huntley reached the 1,000-career-point milestone and earned Second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2025. His most recent standout performance came in his graduate senior season, when he averaged 15.7 points per game. Earlier career highs included 22 points against Queens in December 2023 and 20 points against South Alabama as a sophomore.
Other Wins and Performances
In high school, Huntley helped Davidson Day reach the quarterfinals of the NCISAA 2A playoffs during his junior year, when the team finished 20–5. His individual averages of 14 points that season foreshadowed his development into a reliable collegiate scorer.
C. J. Huntley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about C. J. Huntley’s family background is not publicly documented in verified sources. He grew up in Huntersville, North Carolina, and attended Davidson Day School, where he was supported in his basketball development.
Personal Life
Public details about C. J. Huntley’s personal life, including marital status or children, are not available in verified sources. He remains focused on his professional basketball career with the Valley Suns of the NBA G League.
2025 Season Performance
Huntley’s 2025 season has been defined by transition. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns on June 26, 2025, and was later added to the Valley Suns roster on November 20, 2025. The season represents his first sustained opportunity in a professional system, and his assignment to the G League affiliate allows him to play regular minutes.
His earlier 2025 achievements included earning Second-team All-Sun Belt honors during his final collegiate season and reaching 1,000 career points at Appalachian State. Those accomplishments underscored his readiness for professional basketball despite not being selected in the draft.
Looking ahead, Huntley’s outlook centers on continued development with the Valley Suns. His shooting efficiency, rebounding consistency, and scoring instincts offer a foundation to build on, and his two-way contract history with the Phoenix Suns organization keeps a potential NBA pathway within reach.