The Phoenix Suns are heading into the 2026-27 season with something to prove, and Oso Ighodaro sounds ready to be part of that push.
Phoenix has been overlooked again, but the second year under coach Jordan Ott is shaping up as a chance to back up last season’s progress. Ighodaro, who emerged as one of the team’s surprises, made it clear the Suns aren’t treating anything about their outlook as new territory.
“From the outside, I would assume probably not much. It’s going to probably be about the same from the outside, but from us, it’s the same as last year," Ighodaro said to The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin.
"It wasn’t a surprise to us what we did. We didn't do what we wanted to do in the playoffs, but we want to win every game we play.
We want to compete in the playoffs and compete for a championship. That’s going to be our goal and I’m excited for it.”
Last season, Ighodaro opened the year as Phoenix’s backup center and then found his footing after a slow start. By the end of the 2025-26 campaign, he had played all 82 games, started 24 of them and posted 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 22 minutes per game.
Now entering his third NBA season, he’s in a crowded center group that includes Mark Wiliams and Khaman Maluach. Even so, his versatility could keep him in the mix for meaningful minutes.
“I think I'm going to be a connector offensively and defensively," Ighodaro said of his projected role to Rankin. "I also want to keep stepping into that leadership role that I feel like I have in me. I want to definitely be a lot more aggressive, but like I said being a quarterback on the floor offensively and defensively is probably my No. 1 role I would say.”
At 6-foot-10, Ighodaro still has plenty of room to grow, especially as a shooter. He has no 3-point shot yet and shot 45.3% from the free-throw line last season, but he says he’s putting in work to change that.
“Have been spending a lot of time on (expanding my range)," Ighodaro said. "Specifically at the free throw line.
Spending a lot of time there. Been working on the 3-ball as well.
You’ll have to wait and see.”
Ighodaro is expected to be one of the Suns’ important bench pieces, especially with the starting lineup reloaded by the addition of Miles Bridges. His feel for the game gives Phoenix another offensive connector, and his switchability gives the defense added flexibility.
For Ighodaro and the Suns, the mission is straightforward: show that Ott’s first season was no fluke and keep making noise in the playoff race in 2026-27.
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