Northern Arizona D-League team off to a 6-1 start

Prescott Valley is going to be spoiled on basketball if the Northern Arizona Suns keep up how their inaugural season has started.

Northern Arizona, dubbed “NAZ,” is the top team in the DLeague’s Western Conference at 6-1 with a defensive brand that the parent club wants to see.

In a league where personal agendas can be rampant with players having NBA goals, first-year head coach Ty Ellis does not take his team’s buy-in of team goals and defensive emphasis lightly. He credits the leadership of point guard Askia Booker, a carryover from last season’s affiliate in Bakersfield, Calif., and former NBA players Elijah Millsap and Johnny O’Bryant for that.

“Everybody is all-in,” Ellis said. “It’s easier to do that when you see those guys buying in.”

The NAZ Suns are holding opponents to 41.1 percent shooting, the second-lowest clip in a 22-team league, and 28.0 percent 3-point shooting, a league-low. They have the best point differential (plus-12.6) of any team and the fewest turnovers after Tuesday night’s 103-78 victory at Salt Lake City.

Warren starts activity

Suns forward T.J. Warren has begun his first activity since going out with illness and a head injury on Nov. 18.

Warren rejoined the team last week when it returned from the road trip. He took set shots after Wednesday’s shootaround.

“Nothing too strenuous,” Watson said. “He comes out and he’s here every day. Whenever he’s ready to play, he’s going to be right back to the T.J. that’s on the path to being one of the most improved in the NBA.” at or at