C. J. Huntley Bio
Cameron J. Huntley (born January 6, 2002) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Valley Suns of the NBA G League on a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6-foot-11 power forward began his collegiate career at Appalachian State University in 2020 and developed into a prolific scorer over five seasons with the Mountaineers before going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. Huntley reached several significant milestones during his college career, including becoming the thirty-seventh player in Appalachian State history to score 1,000 career points. He signed his first professional contract with the Phoenix Suns shortly after the 2025 draft and has continued his professional development with the Suns’ G League affiliate.
Early Life and Background
C. J. Huntley was born on January 6, 2002, in Huntersville, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. Growing up in the greater Charlotte area provided Huntley with access to competitive youth basketball programs that helped shape his early development as a player. His formative years in North Carolina laid the foundation for the high-energy, fundamentals-based game that would come to define his playing style.
Huntley attended Davidson Day School in Davidson, North Carolina, where he emerged as a notable high school prospect. During his junior season, he established himself as a reliable scoring option, averaging 14 points per game. His Davidson Day team proved competitive that year, advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCISAA 2A playoffs and finishing with a 20-5 record. The experience of competing in the state playoffs against other top programs prepared Huntley for the rigors of college basketball.
Path to Basketball
After graduating from Davidson Day School, Huntley continued his academic and athletic career at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. He joined the Mountaineers program in the fall of 2020, transitioning from high school competition to the Sun Belt Conference, a traditionally competitive mid-major conference in college basketball. The adjustment period that follows most freshman seasons tested Huntley’s resilience and commitment to improvement.
During his freshman season, Huntley appeared in 23 games with 3 starts, averaging 3.3 points per contest. The limited role served as a learning experience, allowing him to adapt to the speed and physicality of collegiate basketball while developing his skills under the guidance of the Appalachian State coaching staff. He worked diligently during his freshman year to understand the demands of Division I play.
C. J. Huntley Career
Appalachian State Years (2020–2025)
Huntley’s sophomore season marked a significant jump in his production and impact on the team. He contributed 200 points, 113 rebounds, and 18 assists over the course of the season, showcasing the all-around game that would become his trademark. The campaign included a career-high 20-point performance against South Alabama, signaling his ability to take over games offensively when given the opportunity. His continued development as a presence in the paint and on the boards made him an increasingly valuable piece of the Mountaineers’ rotation.
His junior season saw Huntley’s numbers climb to 9.2 points per game as he earned a more prominent role within the team structure. He recorded a career-high rebounding performance that year and demonstrated consistency on the glass, pulling down at least six rebounds in 17 separate games. This two-way production—combining scoring with rebounding prowess—established Huntley as a reliable frontcourt option for Appalachian State.
By his senior season, Huntley had refined his offensive game considerably. He shot 54 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range, both career-best marks indicating improved shot selection and mechanics. On December 13, 2023, he scored a career-high 22 points against Queens University, a performance that demonstrated his expanded shooting range and offensive versatility. The consistency of his production throughout this season positioned him as one of the more productive forwards in the Sun Belt Conference.
Graduate Senior Season and College Finale (2024–2025)
Huntley returned for a sixth collegiate season as a graduate senior, using his extra year of eligibility to pursue both his degree and further basketball development. The additional season proved to be his most productive, as he averaged 15.7 points per game while continuing to contribute meaningfully on the boards and in other statistical categories. His performance throughout the season reflected the maturation of his game and the leadership qualities he had developed over five years in the program.
The culmination of his collegiate career came when Huntley became the thirty-seventh player in Appalachian State history to score 1,000 career points, a milestone that underscored his consistency and longevity with the program. This achievement placed him among the most prolific scorers in the school’s history and validated the trajectory of steady improvement he had maintained throughout his college years. His second-team All-Sun Belt recognition in 2025 provided conference-level validation of his standout senior season.
Professional Career (2025–Present)
Despite producing a career-best senior season, Huntley went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, his college performance and physical tools attracted attention from NBA teams seeking developmental prospects. On June 26, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, joining the organization as a developmental player with potential to contribute at the NBA level while gaining experience with their G League affiliate.
Huntley did not appear in a game for the Suns before being waived on November 17, 2025, following the team’s signing of Jamaree Bouyea. The transaction cleared a roster spot but did not end Huntley’s tenure with the organization. On November 20, 2025, he was added to the active roster of the Valley Suns, Phoenix’s NBA G League affiliate, allowing him to continue his professional development in game competition while remaining within the Suns’ player development system.
On March 2, 2026, Phoenix re-signed Huntley to a two-way contract after Jamaree Bouyea’s promotion to a standard contract opened a roster spot. The opportunity reflected the organization’s continued interest in Huntley’s potential as a developmental big man. He made his NBA debut with the Suns on March 22, 2026, marking the realization of his professional basketball dream after five years of collegiate competition and months of professional development.
Playing Style and Strengths
Huntley projects as a modern power forward whose size and skill set provide versatility in the frontcourt. At 6 feet 11 inches with a frame that allows him to play both interior and perimeter minutes, he offers lineup flexibility for coaches constructing game plans. His shooting improvement throughout his college career—culminating in a 34 percent three-point mark—suggests stretch potential that aligns with contemporary NBA offensive schemes. His career-best 54 percent field goal percentage reflects efficient shot selection and the ability to finish around the rim.
Rebounding represents another core strength in Huntley’s game. His career-high rebounding totals and consistent double-digit board performances in college translated to his professional tenure with the Valley Suns. The combination of size, timing, and motor that made him a reliable glass-cleaner in the Sun Belt has remained a valuable attribute as he continues to adapt to professional competition. His experience playing extended minutes and contributing across multiple statistical categories speaks to his two-way value as a role player.
Notable Career Milestones
Among the most significant accomplishments in Huntley’s career to date are his induction into the Appalachian State 1,000-point club as the thirty-seventh player in program history, his second-team All-Sun Belt recognition in 2025, and his NBA debut on March 22, 2026. The journey from high school standout in Huntersville to Division I scorer to professional basketball player represents a pathway of consistent development and dedication to improvement that has defined his career trajectory.
C. J. Huntley Career Wins and Achievements
Across his five seasons at Appalachian State, Huntley accumulated over 1,000 career points while establishing himself as one of the most productive forwards in program history. His career totals include significant contributions in scoring, rebounding, and assists, reflecting the all-around nature of his game. The consistency of his improvement year over year—from 3.3 points per game as a freshman to 15.7 as a graduate senior—demonstrates the developmental curve that NBA teams value in young prospects.
Appalachian State Highlights
Huntley’s senior season in 2024-2025 represented the peak of his collegiate production. His career-high 22-point performance against Queens showcased his expanded offensive repertoire and ability to carry scoring loads when called upon. His 1,000-point milestone placed him among program legends and validated his status as a productive five-year contributor. The second-team All-Sun Belt honor provided external recognition from conference coaches of his impact on one of the Sun Belt’s traditionally strong programs.
Professional Achievements
Since turning professional, Huntley has continued to develop his game with the Valley Suns while earning re-promotion to the Phoenix Suns roster. His NBA debut represented the culmination of years of work and the beginning of his professional basketball chapter. As he continues to develop at the professional level, his combination of size, shooting ability, and rebounding provides a foundation for potential future contributions at the NBA level.
C. J. Huntley Family
Limited verified information is available regarding C. J. Huntley’s family background. He was born and raised in Huntersville, North Carolina, where he attended Davidson Day School before embarking on his collegiate career at Appalachian State. His family roots in the greater Charlotte area provided the community support and athletic opportunities that contributed to his development as a basketball player.
Personal Life
Beyond his basketball career, Huntley pursued higher education at Appalachian State University, where he completed his undergraduate studies and earned additional credits during his graduate year of athletic eligibility. His decision to return for a sixth collegiate season demonstrated commitment to both his academic and athletic development. As a professional player, he remains connected to his North Carolina roots while building his career with the Phoenix Suns organization and its G League affiliate.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025-2026 professional season marked Huntley’s transition from college basketball to the professional ranks. After signing with the Phoenix Suns in June 2025, he began his professional journey in training camp before joining the Valley Suns for development and game action. The experience of professional practices, improved competition level, and professional coaching staff guidance accelerated his adjustment to the NBA game.
Huntley’s tenure with the Valley Suns during the first portion of the 2025-2026 season allowed him to log meaningful minutes and continue building his confidence at the professional level. His performance during this developmental period contributed to his re-signing with the Phoenix Suns in March 2026. The opportunity to demonstrate his skills in game situations with the G League affiliate proved instrumental in earning another look from the parent organization.
The re-signing and eventual NBA debut capped a remarkable 12-month period that saw Huntley complete his college career, enter the NBA Draft, sign his first professional contract, navigate roster transactions, and ultimately appear in an NBA game. His resilience through the ups and downs of the professional transition demonstrated the mental toughness that characterized his collegiate career. As he continues to develop, Huntley remains focused on establishing himself as a reliable NBA contributor while representing the Phoenix Suns organization.