Former Gonzaga Guard Lands with Phoenix Suns Ahead of NBA Summer League originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle has agreed to a deal to play for the Phoenix Suns, according to Jacob Myers of League Him.
Terms of the deal were not specified, although it is expected this is an invitation for Battle to join the Suns during Las Vegas Summer League starting July 10 at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV.
Battle becomes the third former Zag to sign a pro contract this offseason, joining Ryan Nembhard – who signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks – and Ben Gregg, who will play for the Boston Celtics in summer league.
Nolan Hickman is the lone Zag graduate yet to sign with an NBA team post-NBA draft.
Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle has agreed to a deal with the Phoenix Suns, source told @League_Him.
pic.twitter.com/iQoJbEMXYI— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) June 28, 2025
Battle wrapped up his college career with one season at Gonzaga, where he started 31 out of 35 games and averaged 13.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He shot a career-best 53.3% on two pointers as well as 34.7% from three on nearly five attempts per game, and an astonishing 93.2% from the free throw line which was third best in the country.
Battle’s 6’5 frame, tenacious ability to attack the rim and get to the free throw line, and excellent athleticism made him an intriguing prospect, but his advanced age and inconsistent outside shooting prevented him from being selected in the 2025 NBA draft last week.
Instead he’ll join a Phoenix team that is trying to find its identity after sending Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a deal that brought back Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and a bevy of draft picks.
Battle will get a chance to prove his worth during summer league, and the unstructured nature of the event should allow his hell-raising style of play to thrive. It would not be a surprise to see the New Jersey native put up big numbers for Phoenix, which could lead to the team putting him on an Exhibit 10 deal and bringing him aboard the Valley Suns in the G-League for the 2025-26 season.
Related: Projecting Gonzaga’s Lineup and Rotation After Adding Spanish Guard Mario Saint-Supery
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.