Oso's NBA profile

[MU82]

The Athletic's John Hollinger, former long-time NBA talent evaluator and analytics expert, evaluated his "top nine players to watch in the madness of March." Oso was one of them.

Oso Ighodaro, 6-11 senior center, Marquette

Oso Ighodaro has been one of this draft cycle’s more difficult evaluations, as a skilled big man who is also a non-shooting big. I’m a big believer in the idea that bigs who can pass usually figure out the rest, and some quirky-but-successful bigs of recent yore (Alperen Şengün, Nikola Jokić and, of course from my experience, Marc Gasol) are the proof of that concept. Well, Ighodaro can definitely pass; he averaged six dimes per 100 possessions in 2022-23 and is at 5.1 per 100 this season.

Ighorado also has a good handle for his size; his team even runs inverted pick-and-rolls for him at times. With that skill set, one can easily envision him operating at the elbows in a pro offense. He’s a big fan of short floaters and shoots almost Şengün-esque push shots from 10 feet, plus can get to more standard jump hooks in the paint, especially against mismatches.

What’s missing is the more nuts-and-bolts big man domination you’d expect to see at this level. His rebound rate of just 13.5 percent is piddling for a college five, and the shot-blocking numbers are just OK. He hasn’t been an impactful rim runner either, with a tendency to turn down contact and rim attacks and settle for those short floaters. Additionally, drafting upperclassmen centers hasn’t been a very productive strategy in recent times; Ighodaro will be 22 when he enters his first NBA season.

On the other hand, he’s a legit 6-11 and has improved every year, and his fit at the pro level is perhaps neater than it is in college. Is that enough to get him into the top 20 in a draft where all the college bigs have question marks? A deep run from what is likely to be a No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament could help his cause.

None of us wants Oso to put additional pressure on himself, but the fact is that he can add millions of dollars to his coffers with an outstanding, extended NCAA tournament run that would be good for both himself and Marquette.

Let's go, Oso!

[Uncle Rico]

The Athletic's John Hollinger, former long-time NBA talent evaluator and analytics expert, evaluated his "top nine players to watch in the madness of March." Oso was one of them.

Oso Ighodaro, 6-11 senior center, Marquette

Oso Ighodaro has been one of this draft cycle’s more difficult evaluations, as a skilled big man who is also a non-shooting big. I’m a big believer in the idea that bigs who can pass usually figure out the rest, and some quirky-but-successful bigs of recent yore (Alperen Şengün, Nikola Jokić and, of course from my experience, Marc Gasol) are the proof of that concept. Well, Ighodaro can definitely pass; he averaged six dimes per 100 possessions in 2022-23 and is at 5.1 per 100 this season.

Ighorado also has a good handle for his size; his team even runs inverted pick-and-rolls for him at times. With that skill set, one can easily envision him operating at the elbows in a pro offense. He’s a big fan of short floaters and shoots almost Şengün-esque push shots from 10 feet, plus can get to more standard jump hooks in the paint, especially against mismatches.

What’s missing is the more nuts-and-bolts big man domination you’d expect to see at this level. His rebound rate of just 13.5 percent is piddling for a college five, and the shot-blocking numbers are just OK. He hasn’t been an impactful rim runner either, with a tendency to turn down contact and rim attacks and settle for those short floaters. Additionally, drafting upperclassmen centers hasn’t been a very productive strategy in recent times; Ighodaro will be 22 when he enters his first NBA season.

On the other hand, he’s a legit 6-11 and has improved every year, and his fit at the pro level is perhaps neater than it is in college. Is that enough to get him into the top 20 in a draft where all the college bigs have question marks? A deep run from what is likely to be a No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament could help his cause.

None of us wants Oso to put additional pressure on himself, but the fact is that he can add millions of dollars to his coffers with an outstanding, extended NCAA tournament run that would be good for both himself and Marquette.

Let's go, Oso!

He needs to come back and work on his game

[Goose]

Oso has a lot on the line in the upcoming weeks. That said, I have zero concern of him playing hero ball or trying to showcase himself over the team. He has proven to be as unique of a leader as he has a player. I hope he has great tournament for his sake, and it leads to deep run. He is part of a long list of MU players that is impossible not to root for.

[wombataholic]

Oso has a lot on the line in the upcoming weeks. That said, I have zero concern of him playing hero ball or trying to showcase himself over the team. He has proven to be as unique of a leader as he has a player. I hope he has great tournament for his sake, and it leads to deep run. He is part of a long list of MU players that is impossible not to root for.

I frequently wish he'd play more hero ball.

[rgoode57]

I suppose we all wish Oso would return for one more year, but that's not going to happen. Therefore, I sincerely hope the NBA works out for him if that's what he wants. He is one of my all-time favorite MU players and has been a joy to watch develop.

[BobWildLoyalist]

Not exactly a ringing endorsement...

[Uncle Rico]

Not exactly a ringing endorsement...

Yup.  Needs to comeback and work on his jumper

[WhiteTrash]

Not exactly a ringing endorsement...

I suppose if you look past the premise that he could be a top 20 draft choice.

[oldwarrior81]

won't hurt for Oso, Tyler and Kam to all go through the NBA draft assessment process.

I even saw a mock draft a couple weeks ago that had Kolek as the 30th pick.  I haven't seen him anywhere near that high in other mocks.  I think Oso was 35th in that one.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Yup.  Needs to comeback and work on his jumper

Blocked shots and mid range game according to the League.

[FairWeatherEagle]

None of us wants Oso to put additional pressure on himself, but the fact is that he can add millions of dollars to his coffers with an outstanding, extended NCAA tournament run that would be good for both himself and Marquette.

Let's go, Oso!

This is so true. Players with lesser names from lesser schools have gotten bigger paychecks due to madness greatness. One name that comes to mind is Wally Szerbiak ... Yeah, I probably spelled his name wrong, which helps prove the point. He would have succeeded in the NBA anyway but got a high pick. I'm not comping their skills, just saying MU82 is correct. $$ bump awaits a good March Oso.

[Jay Bee]

Blk% reigns supreme!

[jfp61]

Blocked shots and mid range game according to the League.

the issue is FT%

[MuggsyB]

We have three guys that can improve their draft stock immensely with a deep NCAA run imo. Kam has been absolutely brilliant since Tyko's injury.  in a perfect workd Tyko will be fine, and our Big 3 will collectively dominate in the dance.  They are more than capable of getting it done. We have to rebound, of course, but there's not a trio I'd rather have leading us to the promised land.  I'm feeling a bit better about Tyko being okay. 

[CountryRoads]

We have three guys that can improve their draft stock immensely with a deep NCAA run imo. Kam has been absolutely brilliant since Tyko's injury.  in a perfect workd Tyko will be fine, and our Big 3 will collectively dominate in the dance.  They are more than capable of getting it done. We have to rebound, of course, but there's not a trio I'd rather have leading us to the promised land.  I'm feeling a bit better about Tyko being okay.

Yes, the best way they can do that is by winning.

[Nukem2]

This is so true. Players with lesser names from lesser schools have gotten bigger paychecks due to madness greatness. One name that comes to mind is Wally Szerbiak ... Yeah, I probably spelled his name wrong, which helps prove the point. He would have succeeded in the NBA anyway but got a high pick. I'm not comping their skills, just saying MU82 is correct. $$ bump awaits a good March Oso.

Miami’s tourney run might have helped a bit, but he was already well on the NBA radar. He was also either 1st or 2nd team AA in all the AA lists.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

The one thing I disagree with Hollinger's analysis is about Oso's rim running.  Oso was so fantastic last year rolling to the rim that teams have to game plan to take it away.

That's a big reason why Oso shoots so many floaters this year. Opposing bigs drop so far off, that the 10-15 foot push shots are what's open.  Otherwise, they lose a footrace to the rim and it's dunk city.

There are also plenty of instances where Tyler and Kam get an easier layup because the big stays home on Oso and is a step late to challenge at the rim.

I also think Oso's rebound rate is affected by our scheme.  He's often on the perimeter, either switching on defense or operating in the trigger position on offense.  We've seen games where Oso has dominated on the boards.  I think his rebounding ability might be better than what the numbers suggest.

[MU82]

The one thing I disagree with Hollinger's analysis is about Oso's rim running.  Oso was so fantastic last year rolling to the rim that teams have to game plan to take it away.

That's a big reason why Oso shoots so many floaters this year. Opposing bigs drop so far off, that the 10-15 foot push shots are what's open.  Otherwise, they lose a footrace to the rim and it's dunk city.

There are also plenty of instances where Tyler and Kam get an easier layup because the big stays home on Oso and is a step late to challenge at the rim.

I also think Oso's rebound rate is affected by our scheme.  He's often on the perimeter, either switching on defense or operating in the trigger position on offense.  We've seen games where Oso has dominated on the boards.  I think his rebounding ability might be better than what the numbers suggest.

These are all outstanding points.

[#UnleashSean]

Yup.  Needs to comeback and work on his jumper

Why do you think he would improve more at Marquette then the G league. Its not 2002 anymore.

[1SE]

I've said it before, but it absolutely astounds me that Oso hasn't spent every waking moment of free time in the past 2 years developing a 3 point shot. It would literally have been worth (tens of) millions of dollars for him to do that. If he was knocking down 3s at a 33% rate he'd be a lotto pick.

[Uncle Rico]

I've said it before, but it absolutely astounds me that Oso hasn't spent every waking moment of free time in the past 2 years developing a 3 point shot. It would literally have been worth (tens of) millions of dollars for him to do that. If he was knocking down 3s at a 33% rate he'd be a lotto pick.

That’s why he’ll be back.  Shaka will give him the green light next year

[1SE]

That’s why he’ll be back.  Shaka will give him the green light next year

And Cam will write a letter?

[Uncle Rico]

And Cam will write a letter?

He’s going to Memphis

[CountryRoads]

I've said it before, but it absolutely astounds me that Oso hasn't spent every waking moment of free time in the past 2 years developing a 3 point shot. It would literally have been worth (tens of) millions of dollars for him to do that. If he was knocking down 3s at a 33% rate he'd be a lotto pick.

I’ve seen him shoot 3s pregame and he actually has a decent stroke. I think it’s mostly a case of us being able to find a better shot rather than him being incapable. Sucks we won’t see it at MU, but won’t be the least bit surprised if he’s knocking down jump shots at the next level.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Why do you think he would improve more at Marquette then the G league. Its not 2002 anymore.

Why do you think Uncle Rico is making a serious post? He hasn't been serious since 2002