PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns’ surprising success this season isn’t solely reliant on established stars like Devin Booker. A key component has been the development of young players stepping into larger roles, with rookies Oso Ighodaro and Rasheer Fleming leading the charge. Veteran Grayson Allen recently detailed the impact these players are having on the team’s performance, emphasizing their defensive versatility and growing offensive contributions.
Although Booker continues to anchor the Suns and players like Allen and Dillon Brooks provide crucial leadership, the emergence of Ighodaro and Fleming has added a new dimension to the team. The Suns, currently navigating a competitive Western Conference, are benefiting from the increased depth and energy these young players provide, particularly as they contend for playoff positioning. The team’s ability to integrate these rookies effectively has been a significant factor in their improved play.
Allen spoke highly of Ighodaro’s impact, noting that his value extends beyond the stat sheet. “He’s been playing great. 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 display up in the stat sheet,” Allen told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo. “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, drafted in the second round of the 2024 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to Phoenix, was initially valued for his defensive prowess. At Marquette University, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged fewer than 10 shot attempts per game in his senior year, but consistently delivered in other areas, averaging over one block and one steal, and nearly seven rebounds per game. This defensive intensity has translated to the NBA, and is now being complemented by an expanding offensive skillset.
Ighodaro’s Expanding Role
Allen highlighted Ighodaro’s offensive growth, explaining how his speed and versatility are opening up opportunities for the entire team. “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,” Allen said. “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.”
Fleming’s Increased Playing Time
The Suns faced a challenging stretch leading up to and immediately following the All-Star break, losing seven of ten games, partially due to injuries to key players. This adversity created an opportunity for Fleming to showcase his abilities. The rookie responded with increased confidence and production, earning more playing time in the process.
In two recent games, Fleming recorded career highs in both points and rebounds, scoring eight points and collecting six rebounds in each contest. He also added a steal against the Los Angeles Lakers and an assist against the Sacramento Kings. Allen praised Fleming’s defensive impact and growing offensive confidence. “(Fleming’s) just getting a lot more comfortable. He’s always been a guy you could just like plug in right away and he’s defensively disruptive just as of how good he is and how versatile he is,” Allen said. “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.”
Fleming’s playing time has steadily increased, from playing at least 12 minutes in just two of his first 29 games, to six straight games, with at least 20 minutes in three of those contests. This increased opportunity suggests that Fleming has solidified a role within the Suns’ rotation, regardless of the team’s overall health.
What’s Next for the Suns?
As the Suns navigate the remainder of the season, the continued development of Ighodaro and Fleming will be crucial. Their ability to contribute consistently on both ends of the floor will be vital as the team pushes for a higher seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Suns will need to rely on this depth as they contend with a challenging schedule and potential injury concerns. The team’s success will likely hinge on how effectively they can integrate these young players into their playoff rotation.
What are your thoughts on the Suns’ young core? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation!
