Brendan Sabean was Gonzaga’s student manager from 2010-14 and has since moved well up the ladder to becoming the head honcho of an NBA G League team’s front office. He’s entering his second season as the general manager of the Phoenix Suns’ G League affiliate, the Valley Suns.
Right after college, Sabean joined Western Texas at the junior college level as an assistant coach for the 2014-15 season before eventually making his way to Grand Canyon from 2015-18 (graduate assistant to special assistant to the head coach to director of basketball operations). Then moving into the professional ranks, he was hired by the Austin Spurs and worked with the San Antonio Spurs’ G League affiliate from 2018-2024 (player development/programs and basketball operations to assistant general manager).
My personal connection with Brendan is that we’re both alumni of Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, as well as Gonzaga alumni. I was able to chat with him about his time growing up in the Bay Area, the move to Spokane to be involved with the legendary college basketball program, and how it all helped him get to this point in his professional career.
Arden Cravalho: You brought over former Zag Khalif Battle to the Phoenix Suns Summer League team this past summer. What did you see from his game?
Brendan Sabean: He was able to show his ability to score the ball, especially in that last game of summer league. He showed that throughout his time at Gonzaga as well.
AC: What drew you over to Gonzaga for your college education and to learn from coach Mark Few every day?
BS: I would say for whatever reason, as a Bay Area guy, Gonzaga was always my dream school. I was one of those Zag fans who would stay up till 9 p.m. to watch games against San Francisco, Saint Mary’s, or Santa Clara growing up. I was finding a way to get my mom to take me to the games.
Being a manager for coach Few was an amazing experience. To work for one of the best coaches in the game for four years was a blessing. I learned so much from him and the staff by just being a fly on the wall every day for one of college basketball’s premier programs. My Gonzaga experience really helped me grow my love for the game and my passion to work in basketball.
AC: Your father, Brian Sabean, was the ‘roster conductor’ for the San Francisco Giants’ teams that won the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014. What have you learned specifically from your father on how to become a successful general manager in the professional ranks?
BS: I wouldn’t say there was probably any specific conversation of how to do this, do that. I know I was fortunate to grow up behind the scenes of a pro sports team and see the inner workings of relationships, lines of communication, roster building, scouting departments, and the head coach to general manager relationship. I think organically, whether it was sitting in the car, my dad making work calls, sitting in my dad’s office, or being in the clubhouse… I think I just was naturally exposed to kind of team building and culture, winning and goal setting, and all those types of things that go into the everyday inner workings of a team… The run that the Giants had heightened everything even more. And then kind of tying that into going to a place like Gonzaga, where team and culture and tradition, a lot of those things align. I’ve been fortunate to be exposed to and work around high-level coaches, front office executives, and just see what championship culture means or what goes into it.
AC: For the upcoming season in Phoenix, what kind of playing styles are you specifically looking for, or any roles that you, alongside the big club (the Phoenix Suns), are looking to fill?
BS: It’s an organizational view. The Phoenix Suns and Valley Suns have to be in lockstep. We’re going to naturally mimic a lot of the things that they want to do. We’re building a new identity here, a kind of toughness throughout all four quarters, finishing possessions on both ends. We want team-first guys who are about winning. We want high-level competitors and players who love the game. We always want to be in sync with how the big club plays. We’ll do a lot of the same stuff in terms of style of play, play calls. Another big thing when running a G League team is fostering an environment of development for our coaches, for our staff, but obviously, most importantly, for our players.
AC: Going along with development, what’s the most important expertise that is needed for a G League player to make that next step and to fulfill their dreams of playing in the NBA?
BS: I don’t think it’s one specific thing. I would say developing the basketball IQ piece of things is crucial. It’s hard to change athleticism or size, but if you can develop a strong sense of basketball IQ, understanding the game, and owning your role, whatever that is… the better chance you give yourself. Don’t overcomplicate things. If you’re a shooter, take the right shots. If you’re a defender, approach every possession with purpose and know coverages or positioning. If you’re a playmaker, make the game easier for your teammates and take care of the ball. Do all the little things that help a team win, along with being a great teammate, being coachable, and having a will to get better. All these things matter to NBA teams when they evaluate G League players.
AC: What kind of traits or skill set are you looking for in players coming out of college?
BS: In today’s NBA, size, speed, and skill are so important. Shooting is still a premium trait that we’ll look for. Being able to defend multiple positions is important. Again, own your role. Having a strong ability to think and process the game on both offense and defense. Impacting your team and the locker room in a positive way. We will evaluate how competitive a player is and how they handle adversity. Do you make your teammates better when you’re on the floor? Do you put the work in and have room to develop? Do you have winning habits? There’s a lot that goes into evaluating players from both a size, speed, and skill perspective, along with the intangibles you can bring.
The Slipper Still Fits wishes the best of luck to Brendan and the Valley Suns in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
