Oso Ighodaro Explained

Oso Ighodaro
Position:Power forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:11
Weight Lbs:235
League:NBA
Team:Phoenix Suns
Number:4
Birth Date:14 July 2002
Birth Place:Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
High School:Desert Vista
(Phoenix, Arizona)
College:Marquette (2020–2024)
Draft Year:2024
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:40
Draft Team:Portland Trail Blazers
Career Start:2024
Years1:–present
Team1:Phoenix Suns
Highlights:

Osasere Benjamin "Oso" Ighodaro (born July 14, 2002) is an American basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Marquette Golden Eagles.

Early life and high school career

Born in Mesa, Arizona, Ighodaro grew up in Chandler and attended Desert Vista High School.[1] He averaged 10 points, six rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game as a junior.[2] Ighodaro was rated a four-star recruit and committed to playing college basketball for Marquette over offers from Stanford, Texas, and Vanderbilt.[3]

College career

Ighodaro played in five games during his true freshman season with the Marquette Golden Eagles before suffering an injury and using a medical redshirt.[4] He played in all 32 of Marquette's games and averaged 5.5 points per game during his redshirt freshman season. Ighodaro spent the following summer practicing to improve his passing and ball handling skills at the recommendation of coach Shaka Smart so that he could be a better fit in the Golden Eagles' starting lineup.[5] As a redshirt sophomore he was named second team All-Big East Conference after averaging 11.4 points, a team-high 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.[6] [7]

Professional career

Phoenix Suns (2024–present)

On June 27, 2024, Ighodaro was selected with the 40th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA draft, however, immediately on draft night, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns.[8] On July 4, he signed with the Suns.[9]

Career statistics

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21| style="text-align:left;"| Marquette| 5 || 0 || 7.6 || .750 || — || .000 || 1.2 || .4 || .2 || .2 || 1.2|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22| style="text-align:left;"| Marquette| 32 || 0 || 18.2 || .676 || — || .738 || 3.3 || .9 || .6 || .9 || 5.5|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23| style="text-align:left;"| Marquette| 36 || 36 || 31.1 || .660 || — || .541 || 5.9 || 3.3 || .9 || 1.5 || 11.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24| style="text-align:left;"| Marquette| 36 || 36 || 32.5 || .576 || .000 || .623 || 6.9 || 2.9 || 1.1 || 1.3 || 13.4|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 109 || 72 || 26.7 || .624 || .000 || .616 || 5.3 || 2.3 || .8 || 1.2 || 9.9

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Get to know: 2020 Marquette commit Osasere 'Oso' Ighodaro. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. September 19, 2019. December 1, 2023.
  2. Web site: Marquette recruiting Q&A: 2020 forward Osa Ighodaro. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 10, 2019. December 1, 2023.
  3. Web site: Marquette basketball gets commitment from forward Osasere Ighodaro. The Arizona Republic. September 13, 2019. December 1, 2023.
  4. Web site: Oso Ighodaro barely played as a freshman for Marquette. Two years later, Shaka Smart ready to empower him with big role.. Ben. Steele. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 7, 2022. December 1, 2023.
  5. Web site: ‘Unique’ Oso Ighodaro is Marquette’s most valuable asset in win over UConn. Brian. Hamilton. The Athletic. January 12, 2023. December 1, 2023.
  6. Web site: Ten potential college basketball breakout stars. Jamie. Shaw. On3.com. August 18, 2023. December 1, 2023.
  7. Web site: Marquette's Tyler Kolek makes all-Big East team while Golden Eagles' Oso Ighodaro and Kam Jones on second team. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. March 5, 2023. December 1, 2023.
  8. Web site: Logan. Stanley. Chris. Coppola. Phoenix Suns acquire former Desert Vista product Osasere Ighodaro on Day 2 of NBA Draft. The Arizona Central. June 27, 2024. June 28, 2024. >
  9. Web site: Luke. Adams. Suns Sign Oso Ighodaro To Four-Year Contract. HoopsRumors.com. July 4, 2024. July 5, 2024. >