How Suns’ center depth has unlocked Oso Ighodaro’s confidence

PHOENIX– Competition can bring the best out of someone on the basketball court– just ask Phoenix Suns second-year center Oso Ighodaro. The even-keeled, calm demeanor the big man has shown why he’s been a major advantage to this roster.

Earlier in the season, Ighodaro posted a +52 net rating in the Suns’ drubbing of the Indiana Pacers in November. But more of that intensity unraveled in December against the Golden State Warriors when he got into a spat with teammate Dillon Brooks.

While the consistency hasn’t been totally there, signs of improvement are clearly evident. During the 129-102 win on Friday 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 that he displayed in the summer league showed up.

Ighodaro attacked downhill and showed the major physical discrepancy between him and the Kings’ rookie center, Maxime Raynaud.

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

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

“Each time you’re playing against someone else, it’s a different layer of bigs. So Mark (Williams) is good at certain things. Nick (Richards) is obviously a really good rebounder (and) physical. Playing against all these different types of bigs just gets the most out of each other.

“Just no egos.”