Phoenix Suns rock Nike NBA City Edition jerseys, represent Native Americans in Arizona

The Phoenix Suns are doing more than just wearing their new turquoise Nike NBA City Edition jerseys.

They’re representing the Native American culture that’s a major part of the state of Arizona’s heritage.

“There’s so much meaning behind it,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. "It certainly means a lot to us. As an organization, to be able to represent the people, the Native Americans that have been here for such a long time, we have an understanding that our fans and our fan base extends outside of these city lines.”

The Suns are wore them for a fourth consecutive game Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers at Footprint Center as November is National Native American Heritage Month.

“When you’re African-American, we tend to only look racism and inequality from my perspective as an African American and I don’t think we take enough time to look at it from a Native American perspective,” Williams continued. “So, for us to be able to have the jerseys on, it says a lot about you all, your strength, your resiliency and your ability to show a ton of grace to a nation that was really, really tough on you all.”

The Suns debuted the City Edition jerseys against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in a game they won, 130-119.

“It was unbelievable, not only to play in it but have the chance to meet with all of them down at the court. Not only the jerseys, but we have a whole entire court,” Suns All-Star Devin Booker said.

The Suns have had a medicine wheel at center court of Footprint Center. The medicine wheel is a symbol used by Native Americans to represent “the cycles of life and four cardinal directions."

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The 22 feathers represent the state’s 22 tribal nations.

“Getting the backstory allows us to wear it with great pride and great honor,” Booker continued. “I am glad we got the win in the first time wearing them.”

The Suns then rocked the jerseys in the next two games Friday at Utah and back home Sunday against the Knicks.

“It was dope learning the history behind it,” Suns wing Mikal Bridges said. “I probably got taught in school about it, but I probably didn’t pay attention, but it’s interesting to learn how it was back then and it was pretty cool.”

The Suns have played videos during the home games featuring the players naming different tribes while wearing the jerseys.

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“It’s cool representing the Native Americans, how they did for this community,” Suns guard Cameron Payne said before Tuesday’s game. “It’s just cool that we even have a court to be able to show how much they mean to us and the city.”

The Suns have also had halftime performances celebrating the Native American heritage during the home games they’ve worn the jerseys.

“When I studied the 'Trail of Tears' and 'The Indian Wars,' I’m blown away at the resilience of your people and it’s great for us to be able to recognize the contributions of Native Americans in this state and throughout the country,” Williams said.

“But also I think we also need to recognize the resiliency and the grace that you all have shown our nation because there is a lot of wrongs that have been done to the Native American people in this country and I don’t see a lot of ill will or hate or bad motives and I don’t think that’s said enough.”

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Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns represent Native Americans with City Edition jerseys