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The digits stitched across their back tell a personal story. Whether it’s a tribute to a family member, a nod to their childhood idol or representative of a moment that helped define their journey, the number they wear is more than just a label.

For the Phoenix Suns’ 2025 rookie class, it’s no different. Monday’s introductory press conference for Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea, covered much, but the stories behind the players’ jersey number choices may give fans the best glimpse behind each rookie’s personality.

Maluach will wear No. 10 for the Suns, a number Damion Lee most recently wore for the franchise. His number represents the spot where he officially became an NBA player.

“I got No. 10 because I was the 10th pick,� Maluach said. “And it was available, so I decided to take it.�

Perhaps the number is indicative of a fresh start for Maluach, as well, as he has never used No. 10 previously. He wore No. 9 at Duke to honor fellow South Sudanese Blue Devil Luol Deng — but the Suns retired that number for Dan Majerle. He also previously wore No. 6 for the South Sudan national team, but that number is retired both by the Suns for Walter Davis, and by the entire NBA in honor of Bill Russell.

Fleming was also unable to wear a previous number because of a jersey retirement. He wore No. 13 throughout college. However, Steve Nash famously donned that number for Phoenix when he won two MVPs for the franchise — and no player has worn the number since.

Instead, Fleming opted to choose No. 20, which Jusuf Nurkić last used for the Suns this past season. Fleming’s decision wasn’t based on a deep, emotional backstory, but rather, aesthetics.

“If I’m being honest, there’s no inspiration behind 20,� Fleming said. “I think it looks good with my last name.�

But after thinking about it more, Fleming found a personal connection to the number — one based on how important this current stage of his life is.

“I’m 20 years old,� Fleming said. “All the big things are happening for me right now, so I think that that goes good with that.�

Brea had the most sentimental explanation for his new jersey number, 14, which TyTy Washington most recently wore for the Suns.

“I picked No. 14 because I used to wear No. 4,� Brea said. “My little brother’s birthday is Jan. 4, so now being No. 14 is the month and the day of his birthday.�

Brea added, “and then also I was pick No. 41 in the draft, so when you reverse that it’s 14.�

Suns forward Oso Ighodaro currently uses Brea’s previously worn No. 4, but it is also the number worn by Jalen Green, the headlining player returning to Phoenix in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade.

While each rookie’s jersey choice gave fans a peek into their personality and perspective, it wasn’t the only insight to come out of their first official day in Phoenix. From their visions of personal growth to the bonds already forming between them, Monday’s press conference offered a fuller picture of who these players are and what they hope to bring to the Suns.

“It’s been fun these last couple days just spending time with them,� Brea said. “Going golfing and spending time in the pool, just doing a whole bunch of little kid stuff. Being able to have that kind of relationship with these guys has been really special.�

That chemistry, along with the desire to improve, is something the organization is already seeing take shape.

“There’s been a conscious team effort of understanding what we needed to get done,� Suns general manager Brian Gregory said. “And these three up here are big pieces of that. The best thing about these three is as good as they are, they understand they’re not good enough yet. They got to keep getting better.�

The NBA lifestyle is just beginning for Maluach, Fleming and Brea, and each of them will need to navigate the learning curve associated with the jump from college to the biggest stage. Perhaps the biggest adjustment will be learning how to take care of their health during a season twice as long as the one they just played, Maluach said.

“Just staying available throughout the whole season,� Maluach said. “Because it’s going to be a lot on our bodies, it’s going to be different from college. (It’s all about) learning how to be a pro and be disciplined.�

Each rookie is expected to play a large role immediately for a Suns team undergoing an identity shift. Phoenix drafted Fleming because he is a versatile forward who can fit the mold of a traditional “3-and-D� role. He believes he can excel in this role, but also is eager to prove that he is capable of doing more.

“My game in college was pretty much like a ‘3-and-D guy,’� Fleming said. “But I think coming into this organization, with the staff and the guys that we have, they’re all going to be pushing me to do more and better at a higher level. So I just can’t wait to do that.�

Fleming also described how he grew this all-around skillset. Long before he grew into his 6-foot-9 frame, he was handling the ball at the top of the key.

“Believe it or not, when I was younger I used to be the point guard,� Fleming said. “As I got taller, high school and middle school coaches put me at different positions, and I was able to learn different things from that, too. The 3-point shot, I feel like I’ve always been confident in. The ‘big-skill’ work, that’s been a thing since middle school, so I’ve just been developing it throughout the years and I’m going to continue to with the Suns.�

Beyond basketball, Fleming made it clear he’s grateful to land in a situation that feels right.

“I’m just super excited and super grateful to be here with this organization,� Fleming said. “I just can’t wait to get to work.

That work begins soon. The Suns open NBA Summer League play Friday against the Washington Wizards in Las Vegas.

Going into that game and the many to come when the season opens, Brea noted how his focus is to take things day by day, with an emphasis on building chemistry through every rep and interaction with teammates.

“I’m just focused on our practice today, and tomorrow I’ll do the same,� Brea said. “And then once Summer League is here, I think we’ll be in a really good spot as a team and just continuing to grow our team chemistry because that’s going to be really important, not only for now, but throughout the season.�

That sense of chemistry and long-term vision is something Maluach echoed, as well. As he takes his first steps into the NBA, he’s focused not just on development, but on embracing the opportunity to grow alongside his teammates in front of the Suns fanbase.

“It’s just the beginning for me,� Maluach said. “I’m so excited to do this journey with everybody right here in this community.