PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns' latest NBA City Edition uniform is a nod to the Mexican-American fans who cheer them on in the stands at Footprint Center.
The organization decided to go to local artist Miguel Angel Godoy for the designs for the "El Valle" campaign.
12News’ Allison Rodriguez spoke with Godoy about the weight of the opportunity. Godoy said he felt the enormity of the moment.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Artista del valle celebra las raíces chicanas con el jersey de los Phoenix Suns City Edition
"Was there a lot of pressure? Absolutely," he proclaimed. "Absolutely there was a lot of pressure."
He said he looked to his parents for inspiration and the stories they told him and his siblings growing up.
"What we always referenced were the stories that my father would share about growing up in the low rider culture, growing up in Chicano culture," he recalled. "Him and my mother would share these stories with us."
So, when the Suns came calling, it was a "pinch me" moment for his entire family. About the message, he said, "Initially I didn't believe it, right? Cause it's like a huge opportunity. That's one of the things us artists, us creatives dream of."
The "El Valle” idea from the team had been years in the making and it started with the organization looking at who was showing up in the stands. Suns star Kevin Durant had an idea of who was cheering them on.
"The fanbase is full of Chicanos who's been supporting the Suns for decades," Durant said. "So, it's only right that we honor them as we play."
Godoy thought of every detail in the jersey starting with the style of the letters.
"It's a combination of two things," he stated. "We leaned on Chicano typography, right? Chicano lettering. And then also mixing that with car culture."
As for the color scheme, he said he took inspiration from car culture.
"If you look at a lot of low rider paint jobs, they have these really nice textures. And it's layered," Godoy explained. "So, this would be the first layer and then this comes on top and then there's a drop shadow here." He also noted how the bottom side of the jerseys are meant to reflect the textures of a basketball. It was his way of weaving so much of the love of basketball and the Chicano culture.
Of course, the designs went through a few different iterations before the final one was chosen, but with everyone on board, he said it was surreal to see the Suns players in action.
“Seeing them move, with the jerseys. Seeing how well it’s played out, because you know, when you’re doing mural, you’re doing a painting, they’re staple, they’re steady," he said. But when you’re seeing your work moving, it’s exciting.”
He said it made him fall in love with basketball and the Suns all over again. And now that it’s come to life, he said he realizes this wasn’t for him, but for the families just like him.
"My wife has a saying. It's representation always and in all ways. And this is it right here," he said.
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