PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns’ unexpected success this season isn’t solely attributable to established stars like Devin Booker and Grayson Allen. A surge in contributions from younger players, particularly second-year forward Oso Ighodaro and rookie Rasheer Fleming, has been a key factor in the team’s recent form. Allen highlighted the impact of these players, emphasizing their value extends beyond traditional statistics.
Ighodaro, drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft before being traded to Phoenix, has steadily increased his impact throughout the season. While his scoring numbers have recently risen, Allen stressed that Ighodaro’s defensive versatility and disruptive presence are what initially earned him a consistent role. “He’s been playing great,” Allen said on Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo. “He’s had some bigger statistical games recently but his impact and what kind of got him on the floor and what’s made him such a big part of our team usually doesn’t show up in the stat sheet. It’s his pressure defensively, his versatility and us being able to throw in trapping lineups, switching lineups or playing in our normal coverage.”
Ighodaro’s collegiate career at Marquette showcased his defensive prowess. He averaged more than one block and one steal, alongside nearly seven rebounds per game, during his senior year. This defensive intensity has translated to the NBA, complementing his growing offensive contributions. Allen explained, “Offensively, how we can play through him and his speed and running the floor and getting other people shots or his speed and running up and setting screens and getting other people shots…It’s been all the little things that he’s been elite at to start the year. Now he’s scoring the ball more, rebounding more and doing all those things to complement that even more. So he’s been excellent.”
While the Suns experienced a mid-season slump, coinciding with injuries to key players, it created an opportunity for players like Fleming to step up. Phoenix lost seven of ten games between before and after the All-Star break, but has since won two straight. Fleming’s emergence during this period has been particularly notable. In his first 29 games, Fleming played at least 12 minutes only twice, but has since reached that mark in six consecutive games, including three games with at least 20 minutes of playing time.
Fleming’s recent performances have been impactful. In two games following the All-Star break, he recorded eight points and six rebounds in each, adding a steal against the Los Angeles Lakers and an assist against the Sacramento Kings. Allen attributes Fleming’s growth to increasing comfort and confidence. “He’s just getting a lot more comfortable,” Allen said. “He’s always been a guy you could just like plug in right away and he’s defensively disruptive just because of how good he is and how versatile he is. I think his confidence shooting the ball, making those extra plays again as an offensive rebound and extra possession, he’s a really good defensive rebounder and just being able to get up and go get it and then kind of adding some rim pressure offensively for us mostly as a cutter.”
The Suns’ ability to integrate these young players has been crucial to their success. Allen emphasized that Fleming’s skillset complements the team’s existing strengths. “With all the shooters that we have, that’s something that’s extremely helpful too to get some pressure in the paint so that we can get up and finish at the rim.”
The Suns, currently navigating a competitive Western Conference, will continue to rely on the contributions of Ighodaro and Fleming as they push for a playoff berth. The team is scheduled to face the Memphis Grizzlies on March 8, offering another opportunity to build on their recent momentum. The full Suns schedule is available on ESPN.com.
As the season progresses, the development of these young players will be a key storyline for the Suns. Their ability to consistently contribute alongside established stars will be vital to the team’s long-term success.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
