Marquette Golden Eagles Oso Ighodaro was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers 40th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday afternoon. With that being the case, Portland is trading this selection to the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix made a good move here because they needed some defense and depth on this basketball team.
The Suns have Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal as the core. Phoenix was the sixth seed in the Western Conference last season before being swept in the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Oso Ighodaro going to a team that is trying to compete in the Western Conference will suit him better rather than being in a rebuild situation with the Portland Trail Blazers. A season ago with the Marquette Golden Eagles, Ighodaro averaged 13.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 BPG, and 1.1 SPG.
One of the things that the Phoenix Suns were missing a season ago was defensive presence. Ighodaro provided a defensive presence during his time with the Golden Eagles and will provide the same at the next level.
Phoenix Suns Fans Respond To the Draft Selection Of Marquette Golden Eagles Oso Ighodaro
It was very interesting that Phoenix was able to fix some of its basketball team through the draft. They also traded back with the Denver Nuggets in the first round and selected forward Ryan Dunn from Virginia. This is what some of the fans had to say about the selection of Oso Ighodaro:
Congrats to Suns fans. Dunn at 28 and Ighodaro at 40 is a great haul. I hope Budenholzer both invests minutes in them right away. They’re both ready. https://t.co/hmVuVnHgPX
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 27, 2024
Welcome back to the Valley! Let’s get to work!!
— Chris Campasano (@chriscampasano) June 28, 2024
The potential and skill this player brings are off the charts✌🏼
— Nayz Sports (@Nayz_Sports) June 28, 2024
Oso Ighodaro spoke to the media after he was traded to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. He said:
” It means everything. I grew up in Arizona. I love Arizona. I’m super excited to get to work…A winner. Hard worker. Someone who’s versatile, plays both ends of the floor. Great teammate, great person.”
It is a good thing that the hometown kid gets to go back home and play for the Phoenix Suns. The Marquette Golden Eagles will miss him next year but will provide valuable minutes off the bench for Phoenix.
