How the Suns’ center depth unleashed Oso Ighodar’s confidence

PHOENIX – Competition can bring out the best in someone on the basketball court – just ask Phoenix Suns sophomore center Oso Ighodaro. The big man’s even, calm demeanor showed why he was a huge asset on this roster.

Earlier in the season, Ighodaro posted a +52 net offensive rating for the Suns November of the Indiana Pacers. But much of that intensity was exposed in December against the Golden State Warriors when he got into a fight with teammate Dillon Brooks.

Although consistency is not entirely there, signs of improvement are clearly evident. During Friday’s 129-102 win against the Sacramento Kings, Ighodaro was the best center on the floor.

He finished with 15 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Not only that, but the improved ball handling he showed in summer league also showed.

Ighodaro attacked downhill and showed a large physical mismatch between himself and Kings rookie center Maxime Reynaud.

When the Phoenix big man walked into the postgame press conference and sat down, he knew he was ready to face any center, in part because of the guys he competes against in practice.

“I think we have a great, versatile group,” Ighodaro said of the depth at center. I think we all have our strengths and weaknesses, and I think we really pushed ourselves even over the summer in training camp, just competing against each other.

“Every time you play somebody else, it’s a different layer of big players. So Mark (Williams) is good at certain things. Nick (Richards) is obviously a good rebounder (and) physical. Playing against all these different types of big players just brings out the best in each other.

“Just no ego.”

I asked Oso Ighodar how the Suns’ center depth has increased his knowledge and confidence when he’s on the floor.

“Every time you play somebody else, it’s a different layer of bigs. So Mark (Williams) is good at certain things. Nick (Richards) is obviously really good… pic.twitter.com/AK3gg0KgIt

— Hayden Cilley (@HaidenCilley) January 3, 2026

Oso Ighodaro continues to catch the eye of his Suns teammates

Guys like Brooks they pushed Ighodaro to be more assertive, but others are encouraging. Someone who walked that fine line was head coach Jordan Ott.

He has a high expectations for what Ighodaro can dobut it is not unrealistic. He wants his guy to be more assertive, like Brooks, but more defensive.

Ott mentioned after the game that turning on screens and flips is one thing, but jamming on the switch is a completely separate entity. Plus, this was a nice comeback after what happened in Cleveland on New Year’s Eve.

“In Cleveland, we felt their strengths, brought size and contribution from both sides and dominated a big battle tonight,” Ott said.

“They are so underrated in the NBA, exactly what those big guys go through every night, they are in every action on both ends of the floor. We are fortunate to have more of them, they bring multiple skills to what we need.”

Sunday will be a good test for the Suns’ Oso Ighodar

The Suns will have a chance to redeem themselves against the Oklahoma City Thunder after suffering a 49-point loss during the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. The team and the identity have remained the same, but guys like Ighodar can be the difference.

If he has the confidence to put the ball on the floor with the second unit — combining that with his game — he can open the door for a more spread offense.

Against a top NBA team, he will need to be aggressive but confident in every move he makes, but he seems to be making strides at the right time.