Oso Ighodaro has a massive opportunity in his third campaign with the Phoenix Suns, with Mark Williams sidelined indefinitely and Khaman Maluach still a raw prospect. Michael Pina of The Ringer could not be higher on Ighodaro, and in putting the Suns 19th in his power rankings ahead of the new season, he went so far as to call the 24-year-old the "most underrated big man in the league." High praise, but there is real reason for optimism here.
Ighodaro generating real buzz over at The Ringer
If you go back to opening night of last season, Ighodaro actually started at the center position as a result of Williams not being fit enough to play. The result was... bad. He looked lost offensively and was stuck between using his athletic frame to work around bigger centers in the paint and dragging them away from the basket altogether.
But Ighodaro learned from the experience, and after the turn of the calendar was one of the true bright spots in The Valley as they won 45 games. His ability to get into some two-man action with everybody from Devin Booker to Collin Gillespie was impressive, while he played his part in the Suns having a top-10 defense.
To be clear, Ighodaro is still miles away from being a consistent offensive performer, and he will have to improve on the 6.5 points per game he had a year ago. Those uninspiring raw numbers tell half the story. Ighodaro found his groove in the rotation, and clearly works best as a connective piece in offensive sets. There are no numbers for the back screen set to get Grayson Allen an open look or the crisp handoff that allowed Dillon Brooks to drive downhill.
When you combine that with the clear desire to make a difference defensively and play up a position when required, you can understand why Pina is excited. We've already put forward the idea that the Suns will have to play smaller lineups with Williams out, and Ighodaro's size and skills help make that possible, which could further add to his importance.
Ighodaro can't let Duop Reath's arrival throw him off
It is highly likely Duop Reath will survive beyond training camp, which could spell bad news for Ighodaro. Reath is an aggressive defender and a much better shooter, boasting legitimate 3-point skills. He will begin life as the third-string center but will push hard to stick around once Williams returns. Only Ighodaro should have nothing to worry about, as his ability to influence the offense on every possession in small ways is a trait Reath can't compete with.
Ighodaro might be getting slept on by the majority of the league, but it is nice to know he has a fan in a national media outlet in Pina.
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