Oubre Jr.’s ‘Valley Boyz’ pop-up shop set to open

bad in the city.”

Oubre remembers waking up the next day and seeing Katrina’s destructive power on TV.

“Seeing the tragedy,” Oubre said. “People dying. People on the street floating around. Things like that. That image is stuck in my head forever. So when my brother (Ayton) in his homeland went through some adversity like that, all I could is just try to help as much as I can.”

On the court, Oubre wants to help turn around the Suns, starting with their opener Oct. 23 against the Sacramento Kings at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

“We’ve got to get better every day,” Oubre said. “I think the right wheels are in motion. We have a great foundation with Coach Monty (Williams) and the staff. We love coming into work and getting better and coming into the gym. It’s a different culture. It’s a different attitude. It’s a different energy in the air for us.”

The Suns are coming off of their second-worst record in franchise history at 19-63, but the addition of veteran point guard Ricky Rubio should make Phoenix a better team in 2019-20.

“We know we’re not where we want to be, we’re not even close, but we’re working to be that and I think we have a great core group of guys who think the same way,” Oubre said.

Oubre is a big part of that core. “I wouldn’t call Kelly a young, young guy, but he’s still relatively young,” Williams said of the 23-year-old Oubre. “Those guys, they’re all looking for consistency. He competes. He plays hard. He has a lot in his game. Attacking the basket. He can shoot it. It’s about bringing consistency every night. Being able to guard multiple positions. That’s why he was sought after this summer because he’s a versatile player.”

Oubre was a restricted free agent, but re-signed with the Suns on a two-year deal worth nearly $30 million.

“For him, he’s been consistent,” Williams continued. “Now, I’m sure he wants to be consistent in being a night-in, night-out guy that complements DA and Devin (Booker), Dario (Saric) and Ricky and being in that starting lineup at that three spot for us. That’s a huge position. He’s a bit of an X-factor for us.”

He was limited in training camp with tendinitis in his right wrist, but the lefthanded Oubre is in competition for that starting spot with Mikal Bridges and rookie Cam Johnson.