Feature

Jay Dieffenbach

Suns guard Saben Lee, who graduated from Corona del Sol High in 2017 and played at Vanderbilt, proudly embraces his south Phoenix roots, and a spectacular tattoo stretching shoulder to shoulder across his own back leaves no doubt.

While adversity is a popular descriptor in stories about Lee’s past decade in basketball, a conversation with the 23-year-old makes it clear that Lee won’t be using that word to define his journey.

Calm, bright and eager to embrace challenges, Lee has carried an infectious positivity on the way to signing a two-way contract with the Suns in February.

“I never really knew how it was gonna happen,” Lee told Suns.com this month. “My dream was always to make it to the NBA.”

He couldn’t have imagined the circuitous route he’d take, “but I figured it was gonna happen.”

When Amp Lee, Saben’s dad, was growing up one of 13 kids in Florida panhandle town of Chipley, a little more than 80 miles west of Tallahassee, his competitive streak was bursting at the seams.

A standout athlete, Amp Lee became a star running back at Florida State in the early 1990s and played eight seasons in the NFL – he caught the final touchdown pass of Joe Montana’s run with the San Francisco 49ers.

But basketball was his true love, and when he and then-wife Natalie welcomed Saben, the sharing began.

“God is unbelievable,” Amp Lee told Suns.com Friday (March 17), “Because I was like, ‘I hope this little dude loves basketball as much as I do.’ And now to have him playing professional basketball, God’s been unbelievably good to me.”

“When I show up at those heavenly gates, man, I’m gonna have a pair of Jordans on and a basketball in my arm,” he said.

Father and son agree, there was never any pressure from Amp for Saben to play basketball. Amp encouraged Saben’s interests – even if that altruism didn’t always register with the young man.

“My dad just wanted what’s best for me,” Saben said. “But it’s hard to see when you’re a little kid.

“But now lookin at it? No, my dad knew what he was talking about.”

A Suns guard with a ‘flat-line’ personality

Amp Lee, from his base in Phoenix, has coached on the AAU basketball circuit for years – a good chunk of that time was spent with his trusted wingman, Saben.

A coaching colleague on the circuit, John Ortega, remembers vividly seeing the Lees at games and workouts.

“I’ve known Amp forever,” said Ortega, the owner of the PHHacility basketball complex and head coach of the AZ Select program. “He always had little Saben. … He was this little, big-headed kid. He was quick but there was nothing about him – outside of his toughness.”

That toughness has meshed comfortably with Saben’s businesslike approach to life and learning – again from as far back as he can recall.

“I definitely wanted to always be around my dad when he was coaching, training, anything,” Saben said. “I always wanted to be there for sure. … I always wanted to be in the gym. If my dad’s training someone, I would just be sitting there watching what’s going on.

“So just kind of being a sponge just learning, being around the game.”

Saben’s framed jersey is displayed at Ortega’s court, and his legacy often serves as a touchpoint for mentoring current players.

“Every summer since Saben been drafted,” Ortega said, “we select one player who represents Saben the most.

“The guy we don’t have to worry about (whether) he’s gonna show up today and give us his all.”

Amp Lee certainly recognized Saben’s cool approach.

“I want him to be him,” Amp said. “I tell him all the time, ‘Be Saben.’

“He’s flatline most of the time – smile on his face every day – his demeanor is rock solid. I’ve never had anything to drink or smoke; he doesn’t.”

During his high school years, as Saben was carving his niche with the perennial state champion contenders, he gained size and confidence – but there were hurdles ahead.

“Saben was always an afterthought,” said Ortega, who began coaching Saben on the summer league circuit when Amp “wanted to step back and be a dad a little bit.”

Amp watched the tryouts, after which Ortega decided Saben wouldn’t make his top team.

“At his own school, he wasn’t called up to varsity until halfway through his sophomore year,” Ortega said. “He spent his whole time at Corona del Sol in the shadow of guys before him like Casey Benson (who played at the University of Oregon) – and guys in his own class like Alex Barcello (BYU and the University of Arizona).”

But it wasn’t long before Saben emerged from those shadows.

“He played on our second team and quickly became the best player on that team,” Ortega said.

That “in-control” version complements the aggressive leadership of an alpha male.

Ortega had seven future Division I players on his elite team.

“And I had to find a point guard to come in and be able to hold them accountable and run the offense – and deal with them,” Ortega said.

“I ended up picking Saben, who was a year younger, because of his leadership ability. …

“Saben was gonna take that role as a sophomore. And he wasn’t gonna take any shit from them.”

“Once he got on to our top team he kind of just exploded,” Ortega said. “He played alongside Mitch Lightfoot (Kansas University), Cameron Satterwhite (Loyola Chicago and Northern Arizona) and those guys.

Perhaps the biggest explosive moment came in a tournament in California when Lee slammed home an inbound lob pass, stole the ball on the ensuing possession and finished in style.

Ortega: “He gets a steal, and he takes off and cocks it back and just throws down this monster dunk. Before we left the gym that day, he had offers to LMU, Pepperdine, Southern Utah. … He had like eight offers after one game. It just kinda took off.”

“My first offer was from Northern Colorado and I was ecstatic,” Saben said. “They just started to keep coming in. Offer after offer.

“I was a late bloomer, so I got all my offers in my last AAU session.”

“I think one of his first high major offers was Florida State,” Ortega said, “where his dad literally has his head in a bronze statue.”

The younger Lee wasn’t overly enamored of the Florida State option; he’d be considered a “little Amp” in some respects.

“He turned around and went to Vanderbilt,” Ortega said. “I’m like, ‘Well, now you’re little Natalie (Mom’s school).’

“He’s like, ‘It’s a little different when Mom gets a law degree from there, and Dad scored like 60 touchdowns.”

Although Saben found more shadows at Vanderbilt – future NBA players Darius Garland and Aaron Nesmith – he persevered and became a standout by his junior season, his last one at Vandy.

Just like Amp in the NFL, Saben was a second-round draft pick.

He played 85 games for the Detroit Pistons, two with the Philadelphia 76ers and for Toronto’s G-League team before his big opportunity with the Suns.

Upon signing his two-way deal in February, Lee stayed true to his personality as he walked to the court.

“It was more, ‘Let’s do this,’” said Lee, who was known in his AAU days for repeatedly pushing teammates with his “Get serious!” mantra. “When you get to the gym and suit up, it’s business time.

“I definitely took a while to reminisce about it. Be in the moment and think about everything that’s happened. But come game time, I was locked in.”

And this turn of events is oh, so positive for father and son.

“I love the team that he’s with,” Amp Lee said. “I love the staff, love the personnel, and love the roster. I don’t know that I could have driven him to a better gym.”

Since joining the Suns, Saben has tried to apply the lessons learned. He strung together four consecutive games of double-digits scoring, and uses teammates Josh Okogie and, of course, Chris Paul as sounding boards.

"He's been good for us," Suns coach Monty Williams said when Lee signed his two-way contract at the outset of February. "He understands where he is. He's trying to find a home in the NBA and he's done a good job for us.

“He's a diligent worker. He's always ready. His minutes haven't been consistent, but when he's out there, he's been a benefit to the team."

Dad marvels at the serendipity of Saben’s trek.

“We used to watch a lot of film of CP (Paul),” Amp said. “We’d go in the gym and do drills and we’d see, ‘Right here, come off the screen, see how CP set the guy up? He’s snakin’ off, he’s shooting the elbow pull-up …”

“Chris Paul is probably the best guard in the history of the game in terms of understanding pace: when to go fast, when to go slow, his understanding of pick and roll in addition to his skill. Some of that can rub off on Saben.”

The Suns’ position among the leading contenders to reach this year’s NBA Finals has served to elevate Saben’s basketball education.

“He’s got a great mentor in Chris Paul,” Amp said. “And he’s in probably the most competitive gym in the league.”

Saben’s decision to add the Phoenix tattoo came years ago, so his arrival with the Suns is all the more appropriate.

“I got it in Phoenix, an artist called Josh (Noel),” Saben said. “He did Gervonta Davis, did some of Deandre’s (Ayton).”

The inspiration for Saben’s artwork came from champion boxer Davis, who has Baltimore on his back.

“I grew up in south Phoenix, and I say that pridefully,” Saben said. “Growing up in south Phoenix, I see a lot of kids who have a lot of talent and might not have the opportunity or the means to be able to get to where they want to get to. And I wanna be able to give back to those communities one day.

“I have that on my back because wherever I go out, I’m always repping Phoenix. So that was kinda the inspiration for that.

“And now, it’s crazy, I’m with the Phoenix Suns. Everyone would be like, ‘Bro, did you…’ and I’m like, ‘No, I’ve had this a while before this.’”

And Amp, a guy who is no prototypical dad?

“I’m not a big tat person, to be honest,” he said. “There’s always a little bit of a fine line; they’re your kids but they’re becoming young men.

“If the only thing against him is he’s got tattoos and he’s trying to improve his jump shot, well, life could be crazier than that.”

For Saben Lee, a young man with a carefully crafted set of skills, it’s not a crazy thought to imagine a long career in professional basketball.

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Saben Lee’s strong foundation keys a return to his beloved hometown

Phoenix Suns

Early in the 2022-23 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns and FirstBank launched the FirstBank Empowerment Awards, a season-long program designed to strengthen marginalized communities through economic empowerment. The program expands on the Los Suns Small Business MVP Award that the team started in 2018 and provides financial grants and marketing value to deserving minority-owned small businesses across the Valley.

Doubling down on the Suns’ commitment to celebrating and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion, the Business of Pride Award highlights a small business in the LGBTQ+ community.

On April 6, during the team’s Pride Night game, the Suns in partnership with FirstBank recognized small business leaders Gabe Hagen and Jesse Shank of Brick Road Coffee in Tempe.

The couple founded Brick Road Coffee in 2021 to serve the finest artisanal coffee and more importantly, strengthen and support the local LGBTQ+ community.

At Brick Road Coffee, Hagen and Shank have created a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies – a space focused on love and acceptance where neighbors can gather, connect and support each other. The coffee shop hosts a variety of community events, from game nights to book clubs to conversations with local political candidates.

“We welcome everybody through our doors,” said Hagen. “We are a coffee shop and we brew some fantastic coffee, but we try to create community events for our community that is often overlooked or doesn’t have a place to go.”

Hagen and Shank were awarded a $5,000 grant courtesy of FirstBank in support of their growing and community-nurturing business.

“This award means so much to us,” said Hagen and Shank. “Thank you to the Phoenix Suns and to FirstBank for the recognition and thank you for the support of the LGTBQ+ community. Now more than ever, it is so important that we stand together and show that we are a community, we are your neighbors and we will always be here.”

Since partnering with the Suns in 2019, FirstBank has donated more than $100,000 to the local community through donations to non-profit organizations and small business grants. The launch of the FirstBank Empowerment Awards adds five small business grants throughout the Suns season as well as the inaugural Phoenix Mercury EntrepreneuHER Award last season.

Learn more about the FirstBank Empowerment Awards and the Suns and Mercury efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion at Suns.com/Diversity.

Address: 4415 South Rural Rd, Suite 10, Tempe, AZ 85282

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BUSINESS OF PRIDE AWARD RECIPIENTS: GABE HAGEN AND JESSE SHANK, BRICK ROAD COFFEE

“On the rez, we say it all the time, basketball is life. It's a way to get you an opportunity.”

Shawn Martinez (Diné) is a testament to the idiom. He’s living proof of what the sport can provide for a young child with basketball dreams that grew up in Window Rock, Arizona on the Navajo Nation.

Now, the Senior Director of Live Presentation for the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, Martinez values the teams’ 20-year support and partnership of the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI). Footprint Center will once again host the tournament’s championship game this July.

Founded in 2003, NABI believes the love of basketball is the perfect tool to unite thousands of Indigenous youth and inspire them to continue to develop their talents and skills to pursue higher education and become tomorrow’s leaders.

NABI will host 500 basketball games in Phoenix-area gyms featuring 144 teams of male and female high school athletes representing tribal communities from all over North America, culminating in a championship game at Footprint Center.

Last year, ESPN+ broadcasted the 2022 tournament, becoming the first all-Native American sporting event on a major network.

“It is an eye-opening experience for most kids because coming off the reservation, you don't see much of the city life like we live it every day,” Martinez said.

“NABI is another avenue to keep skills sharp through the summer so athletes are ready for the next season.”

On Tuesday, April 4 during the Suns home contest against the San Antonio Spurs, Martinez deepened the organization’s relationship with Tribal youth basketball when he presented NABI Foundation CEO GinaMarie Scarpa with the new NABI jersey designed by the Suns creative department, Centercourt Creative.

The man behind the new NABI jersey design was Graphic Designer Jaden Guilford who drew inspiration from the Suns’ turquoise ORIGINATIV City Edition uniform that debuted at the start of the 2022-23 season.

“I was honored to be handed the project and know it holds a lot of weight and trying to encapsulate the message of ORIGINATIV in a strong meaningful way that also resonates with NABI, its tournament and the community,” Guilford said.

“Designing the jersey, I wanted it to mimic the Suns City Edition uniform in terms of the colors and the elements, but also giving the NABI uniform its own twist.”

A bespoke NABI wordmark across the chest anchors the jersey’s unique details. Guilford drew inspiration for the typeface from the geometric shapes of the Suns jersey. The pattern that runs along the sides of the NABI jersey mirrors the same design found on the belt of its NBA counterpart. The jersey is also reversible, providing variety and flexibility.

The task to create a new jersey for NABI was no small feat for Guilford.

“It was definitely a challenge – the Suns uniform resonated so well with the Native community – so knowing that and trying to live up to that expectation was a challenge in itself, but by sticking to related elements, the NABI uniform is similar, but not too different and bridges the gap.”

To Martinez, the NABI is an exciting extension of the team’s ORIGINATIV platform launched at the start of this season. The initiative, highlighted by the Suns’ turquoise City Edition uniform, honors the cultures and history of the 22 Tribal Nations of Arizona through community programs and dedicated theme nights.

“It's really cool to see where we've come from since day one. Almost three years in the making and connecting with several Native organizations and Tribal Leaders, this NABI uniform is the next piece of all of these efforts coming together.”

“The turquoise Suns jersey has grown into something bigger than basketball and the fact it’ll live on with NABI is really special.” &nbsp;

To Scarpa, the NABI tournament’s explosive growth over the past two decades is more than she can believe. &nbsp;

“What we thought was going to be this small little tournament in our first year spread like wildfire throughout Indian country.”

As Scarpa says, “NABI is like the March Madness of rez ball.”

Today, while not the oldest, NABI is the largest Native American basketball tournament and is widely considered the best and most prestigious in the community.

“And that has to do with our partners,” Scarpa said. The success of NABI is paying off, too.

“We're now seeing a bigger presence of Native American basketball players everywhere,” said Scarpa.

But while the uniform retires this season, the Suns’ commitment and partnership with Tribal Nations and NABI will continue to inspire the next generation of hoopers further.

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SUNS ORIGINATIV-INSPIRED UNIFORM ILLUSTRATES CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIVE AMERICAN BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL

Brendon Kleen

As newcomer Darius Bazley got the lowdown on his new Suns teammates’ prolific NBA 2K skills in the locker room after a March game, the conversation circled the room like the ball during a particularly pretty Suns possession.

Cameron Payne spoke up to warn Bazley of the team’s gaming chops before Deandre Ayton jumped in with some lively smack talk. Devin Booker, a prodigious gamer in his own right, capped off the chatter by letting the room know he only played with one squad: his Suns.

Right to the chase: the question on everyone’s mind with Kevin Durant in town. Some are too afraid to say such things out loud. But while Okogie has shown all year he’s eager to take on whatever role comes his way, of course he wants to prove himself with more responsibility. Who wouldn’t?

It caught even the unflappable Booker off guard, who chuckled before coming back:

The rest of the locker room erupted at the exchange, but a quick glance at Okogie confirmed he wasn’t fully joking. He was just setting the record straight on what he believed he could do.

Wherever there have been openings or opportunities in Phoenix this year, Okogie has seized them with a cool temperament and moxie unusual for someone so young, playing both for an NBA championship and his own NBA future. Okogie heard mostly crickets during free agency before the Suns signed him, and it took multiple injuries and ultimately a major trade for him to get into the team’s rotation.

None of that is apparent from how he plays or speaks. Okogie knows he belongs, has been waiting to prove it to everyone. Since the Suns lost three foundational wing players at the trade deadline, he has done just that.

Suns assistant coach Bryan Gates was at the Verizon 5G Performance Center when the front office got the deal done to sign Okogie, and did an internal fist pump when he heard the news. The two have a history.

In 2018, Gates worked on staff for the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, where Okogie was a prospect showcasing his abilities for NBA executives. Okogie was assigned to Gates’ team (as, coincidentally, was Suns guard Landry Shamet). When the staff and players parted ways at the end of the four-day camp, Gates made a point of giving each prospect his phone number.

The first person he heard back from was Okogie, thanking him for the help.

Gates was reminded of that interaction a year later when he joined the coaching staff in Minnesota, where Okogie had been drafted. Gates typed in Okogie’s number to text him about something Timberwolves-related and saw the young man’s original message still there in his phone.

Now reunited in Phoenix, Gates is seeing a confident, young player with enormous potential and a healthy mindset get an opportunity to fulfill it.

“Being around him, this doesn’t surprise me,” Gates says. “It’s just the opportunity has met his preparation. He works the same, he does everything the same. It’s just now, there’s an opportunity.”

Okogie received 23 total minutes in October as the Suns got out to a 5-1 start. His first start did not come until Dec. 30. Two weeks later, he broke his nose.

“I wasn’t giving him a fair shake at all early in the year, and he just stayed with it,” head coach Monty Williams said. “We applaud that attitude around here.”

It wasn’t until after the trade deadline that Okogie got consistent run, and he rewarded Williams with five consecutive double-digit scoring performances.

“I kind of bottled myself up with a lack of confidence in Minnesota but I kind of gained my confidence back here and I’m just continuing to do what I know how to do,” Okogie said.

Okogie highlights have been more plentiful than this spring’s surprising rainfall in the Valley, from game-ending blocks to high-flying putback dunks to more subtle high-IQ flashes.

In the third quarter against Houston in December, Okogie snatched a jump shot out of thin air and threw it down for a poster dunk.

Against Golden State in January, he closed the game out and helped hold Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to 6-16 shooting combined in the fourth quarter in an upset win for the shorthanded Suns.

In his second game starting alongside Kevin Durant and operating as a floor-spacer with the new-look Suns in March, Okogie went 5-10 from deep and was second on the team in scoring.

Most recently, Okogie flashed back to his block on Green with another one against likely Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, only this time it was a game-winning swat against someone who has half a foot on him.

After that highlight play, point guard Chris Paul had high praise for Okogie and the confidence he’s earned among Suns players.

“We trust him,” Paul said, “and he builds that trust by having those types of plays in those situations.”

A refined mentality has helped Okogie rise in those moments.

“Any time I come in the game, I’m trying to defend, I’m trying to attack the basket, shoot open threes, and have fun,” Okogie said.

Okogie fills big shoes for the Suns as the primary point-of-attack defender, but he brings his own unique athleticism and ability to play above his size. Outside his rookie season, this is by far the most consistency he’s had in his role and responsibilities.

Going forward, he will be asked to guard everyone from Green and Banchero to Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo for this Suns team as they prepare for the playoffs.

“We put him on the toughest guy,” Williams said. “Those experiences allow for you to grow, even when you get stressed. That stress allows you to grow.”

It should be no surprise that a player with a nickname like “Nonstop” is ready for the challenge, and even finding joy in it.

“I’ve been doing this since I got to the league. It’s nothing new to me. I love the challenge,” Okogie said. “I love the opportunity to go out there and guard Steph Curry, go out there and guard Giannis … I think it’s fun.”

According to Bball-Index’s database, Okogie guards players in the highest tier of offensive usage almost a quarter of the time, placing him among the top 10% of defenders in terms of matchup difficulty. He also travels 1.4 miles per 75 defensive possessions, placing him among the top 10% of defenders in terms of movement.

Still, with only a couple of months between his jump into the starting lineup and the start of a postseason run in which he will be expected to keep track of some of the best players in the league, the learning curve will be steep.

When Mikal Bridges was developing in this same Suns defensive scheme, he said his level of play really reached new heights when he had been around long enough to begin locking into defensive gameplans, became a communicator, and was able to react in real time.

At age 24, Okogie is still growing toward that level of comfort, but he brings a strong work ethic, a high basketball IQ, and elite defensive skill that should help him evolve quickly into a more sophisticated role.

“He has high-level defensive instincts, but as he progresses and grows as a player as we’ve talked about, we’ll add the scouting report and knowing tendencies of other players,” said Williams recently.&nbsp;

“Couple that with his instincts, and he has the makings of being an elite defender on a night-in, night-out basis.”

Okogie is fifth in the entire NBA in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus, and the Suns’ defense allows nearly 7 fewer points per 100 possessions when Okogie is on the court.

The Suns will ask him to continue improving, and of course defense is only half the game, but the talent and smarts are all there. Consistency, flexibility, awareness -- those will be the focus.

Said Gates: “I just think that we asked him to do a lot, ya know, what else can he do? I don't know if the car can go any faster.”

nonstop

NONSTOP

As the Valley’s original sports team, the Phoenix Suns have remained dedicated to the rich history and culture of the Hispanic community.

In 2018, the Suns launched the Los Suns Small Business MVP, an initiative to highlight outstanding Hispanic small business owners and entrepreneurs that fuel our local economy.

On March 25, during the home contest against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Suns in partnership with FirstBank recognized small business leaders Maria Cordova and Mia Ortiz of Mia’s Flower Shop in Phoenix. Maria is the founder of the local floral shop working alongside her daughter Mia, who manages the business’s operations. The 2023 Los Suns Small Business MVP award is one of six FirstBank Empowerment Awards launched this season to celebrate and recognize minority-owned small businesses across Arizona.

Mia’s Flower Shop received a $5,000 grant courtesy of FirstBank to support the business. In addition to the on-court recognition, the local floral company will receive a one-on-one interview with Arturo Ochoa from La Mejor 106.5 and the Spanish television network Univision.

In search of the American Dream and a better future for her, Cordova migrated to the United States from Sonora, Mexico two decades ago. She had a passion for her community and desired to create something larger than herself, despite the hardships she faced with starting a business.

With the help of supportive friends and family, Mia’s Flower Shop was established to serve the Valley Latino community and beyond with fresh floral arrangements for any occasion.

For Ortiz, she’s proud the business and its staff (comprised of all family members) honor and represents their culture and people.

“We all proudly speak Spanish, and it is important for us to make everyone feel like familia.”

Cordova is grateful for the recognition as a testament to her and her daughter’s hard work.

“Thank you to the Suns, FirstBank and the community for supporting our family owned business.”

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LOS SUNS SMALL BUSINESS MVP AWARD RECIPIENT: MIA’S FLOWER SHOP

Early in the 2022-23 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns and FirstBank launched the FirstBank Empowerment Awards, a season-long program designed to strengthen marginalized communities through economic empowerment. The program expands on the Los Suns Small Business MVP Award that the team started in 2018 and provides a financial grant and marketing value to deserving minority-owned small businesses across the Valley.

Doubling down on the Suns’ commitment to celebrating the accomplishments of outstanding female leaders in the community, the EntrepreneuHER Award is dedicated to highlighting a woman-owned small business in Arizona. The award has been presented to entrepreneur Lupita Guerrero, founder and director of Little Giants Spanish Immersion Preschool in Phoenix.

Born in Guerrero, Mexico, Lupita Guerrero is a native Spanish speaker who has dedicated 23 years to working with children and families. Earning a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University, Guerrero has spent time as a Developmental and Family Support Specialist for Head Start and as a trainer for Raising a Reader – a program that helps families develop, practice and maintain home reading routines.

The vision for Little Giants Spanish Immersion Preschool came to Guerrero just a year ago when she was searching for a preschool for her grandchildren, Noah and Santi.

Guerrero aspired to provide children – her grandchildren included – with an environment that promoted healthy growth and development without sacrificing the opportunity to be immersed in the Spanish language and cultural experiences.

With this goal in mind and equipped with her extensive experience, knowledge and passion, Guerrero founded Little Giants.

“The mission that we have at Little Giants is to share our Spanish culture with families and children,” said Guerrero. “We love sharing our traditions like Día de los Muertos, el Día de los Abuelitos, el Día de los Padres.”

Little Giants, which currently has 50 children enrolled from all different backgrounds, emphasizes engaging children through hands-on experiences, developing every aspect of a child’s well-being and building cooperative relationships with families.

For Guerrero, her newly founded business is all about the impact it is making in the community and she is grateful to serve as an inspiration for other women to follow their passions and dreams.

“I am honored and blessed to receive this award,” said Guerrero. “It means a lot to me, and to show other women if you want to open your own business, you guys can do it. Thank you, Phoenix Suns and FirstBank, for this award. To all the women entrepreneurs, no matter where you come from: anything is possible.”

As the recipient of the EntrepreneuHER Award, Guerrero received a $5,000 small business grant, courtesy of FirstBank, and was recognized on-court at the Suns home game on March 8 against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Women’s Empowerment Night.

Learn more about the FirstBank Empowerment Awards and nominate a local small business HERE.

About Little Giants Spanish Immersion Preschool

Address: 5536 North 6 Street, Phoenix, AZ 85012

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ENTREPRENEUHER AWARD RECIPIENT: LUPITA GUERRERO, LITTLE GIANTS SPANISH IMMERSION PRESCHOOL

Devin Booker is certainly familiar with the role of underdog.

He’s lived it, from high school summer workouts in a gym with no air conditioning and a leaky roof in Moss Point, Mississippi to waiting for his name to be called at the NBA Draft to willing the Suns into prominence over his first few years in the NBA.

With the Devin Booker Starting Five program, the Suns star has provided a seismic boost for underdog organizations across Arizona.

This charitable initiative allows Booker to authentically connect with the Valley community he cherishes and celebrated its four-year anniversary in January 2023 having gifted $2 million since its inception.

Digging deeper, we found a touchpoint from each of the four years, along with a couple of secrets to Booker’s success as a philanthropist.

In January 2019, Booker committed $2.5 million to be used over a five-year term as Phoenix Suns Charities introduced the Devin Booker Starting Five.

For every year during the term, Booker’s initiative recognizes five local nonprofit organizations, each of whom receives a $100,000 grant.

"A lot of people look at basketball as just a bunch of guys that make a lot of money out there on the court,” Booker said at the time. “It's not that. It's a lot bigger than that for us. …

“I've seen how serious the Phoenix Suns organization takes their relationship with our community partners."

Booker meets with the Suns Charities Board of Directors to pick his “Starting Five” recipients of those funds.

"We're going to find five deserving nonprofit organizations, give them $100,000 each to help them continue doing what they're doing in Arizona to help the kids and the families that are in need," Booker said.

Through Booker’s foundation, the groups apply by sending in videos – three to five minutes each – promoting a project and its expected impact.

With the fourth round of grants now complete, we can gain a deeper understanding of the program’s significance and its impact using the words of four recipients – one from each of the four years.