Oso Ighodaro is probably the most surprising Phoenix Suns player to appear on this list.
Even more so when you consider on opening night of last season he started at center, and it was a disaster. It was unclear how he was going to be part of the long-term play in The Valley after that night, but in his second season he finally found his groove.
Ighodaro the explosive big off the bench Suns need
The Suns had only one player who appeared in every regular season contest. You guessed it, Ighodaro. After that poor start to the campaign he gradually featured more off the bench (24 starts), while his best work continues to be done playing at the four. But with Mark Williams out from time-to-time through injury, Ighodaro did slide up to the five again some and appeared more comfortable doing so.
Perhaps the looming threat of Khaman Maluach and now Koa Peat made Ighodaro realize the writing was on the wall if he didn’t find his spot in the rotation. Head coach Jordan Ott loves a defensive-minded big who can use their body to bully potential scorers both inside and out of the paint, and Ighodaro fits that bill.
Number 10 -Â Jamaree Bouyea took his NBA career off life support
Number 9 -Â Brian Gregory banished the 'Michigan Guy' tag
Number 8 -Â Grayson Allen finally fulfilled his destiny in Phoenix
Number 7 - Jordan Ott came along at the perfect time for the Suns
Averaging over six points and five boards in 22 minutes of action is not going to cut it as the Suns look to improve, but it was at least a step in the right direction for Ighodaro.
The worry is that at 24-years-old who he is as a player might already be what we have seen on the court, and his offensive game is not at the level required to be a key rotation player. Certainly not in the postseason.
Context is everything, and Ighodaro has comfortably ensured his future in Phoenix over Ryan Dunn, taken in the first round to his second in the 2024 NBA Draft. Best of all (and the clincher in appearing so high up this list), were the 32.3 minutes he appeared across four playoff games versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yes Williams was injured, but he answered the call by being a big body capable of battling some of the monsters the Thunder have at their disposal.
The introduction of Peat does threaten his minutes some with the Suns, but you can ask no more of Ighodaro than to show up every single night and battle. He did exactly that, and the hope is that there is still some room left to grow.Â
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