Oso Ighodaro brought it back to where it all began.
The Phoenix Suns big put on a free youth basketball camp on Aug. 22 at Pecos Community Center in Phoenix, where he played and learned the game as a kid.
“It's super special,” Ighodaro said. “Just at a place that I came to growing up. Spent a lot of time here with trainers and coaches that worked with me growing up. It’s super special.”
Nearly 50 kids ages 11-14 from the Jr. Suns/Jr. Phoenix Mercury leagues at Pecos Community Center and the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA were pre-selected for the camp. They participated in fundamental skills and NBA-inspired drills that began with breathing exercises and meditation.
“Mindfulness is definitely an important part of the game,” Ighodaro said. “At this age,
they may not fully be aware of what that is. So, I feel like breathing exercises might be the first step in that. We didn’t want to push it on them too hard, but just to maybe create awareness, and it might be a little nugget that carries on in the future.
"The mindfulness aspect is something I definitely need and have incorporated in my routine now. If we can just plant a little seed now, maybe it’ll grow into something in the future.”
"It's super special at a place that I came to growing up. I spent a lot of time here."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) August 22, 2026
Phoenix Suns big Oso Ighodaro aka "Coach Oso" put on a basketball camp for ages 11-14 at Pecos Community Center.
Shared memories, camp goals, talked importance of breathing, mediation. #Suns pic.twitter.com/PRoC0Ajw1y
Ighodaro sat one-on-one with The Arizona Republic at his camp to talk about his offseason work, the team's roster additions, playing every game last season, his role going into this season, expectations and more.
Coming off a 45-win season and playoff appearance, Phoenix opens the 2026-27 regular season Oct. 21 on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.
On Suns offseason moves
Phoenix landed Arizona freshman Koa Peat in the first round of the 2026 draft, traded for Miles Bridges, signed Luke Kennard and added Pat Spencer on a two-way.
The Suns dealt Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and a 2033 unprotected first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Bridges, a first-round pick in 2029 and a second-round pick in 2027.
“I'm excited," he said. " ... We’ve been playing pick-up, obviously. It’s been fun. It's great to have some returning base. This is the first time since I’ve been in the league that we've had this many returning players. There’s some synergy there and I'm excited about that.”
Entering his third NBA season, Ighodaro has been impressed with how the additions have fit with their players from last season.
“I think it’s going to work great," he said. "Those guys have been in the gym early, putting the time into building relationships and build chemistry on the floor. They’re also very high-IQ players. All four of those guys are high IQ, competitive.
"That’s exactly what you need when you’ve got new guys on the team trying to fit in. It’s been great.”
On familiarity with Peat
Ighodaro, 24, and Peat, 19, are from the Valley. Ighodaro played high school ball at Desert Vista in Phoenix while Peat won four straight state titles at Perry Gilbert.
The two didn’t face each other in high school, but Ighodaro said he and Peat worked out together under local trainer Chuck Howard.
“The first person I thought about was Chuck (when Peat got drafted)," Ighodaro said. "I was excited, and I was happy for Koa because he gets to come home. I know how important it is just to have people here. Being in the NBA is not an easy thing, socially, and having the built-in communities is such a blessing. Definitely happy for him.”
On playing every game last season
The 6-10 Ighodaro didn’t miss a game last season, a rare feat in the NBA.
He was one of only 18 players to see action in every game of the 2025-26 regular season.
“I think every player in the NBA wants to play every single game," he said. "Well, I would hope so, but yeah, that’s my goal. Every time I step on the floor and start the season, I want to play every single game, so hopefully, God willing, I'm able to do that this year as well.”
Ighodaro averaged 6.5 points on 65.3% shooting and 5.1 rebounds in his second season out of Marquette.
On role with this season’s team
Ighodaro will have the same head coach for a second straight season in Jordan Ott, who replaced Mike Budenholzer after Ighodaro's rookie year.
“Be a connector offensively and defensively," he said. "I also want to keep stepping into that leadership role that I feel like I have in me. Definitely be a lot more aggressive, but like I said, being a quarterback on the floor offensively and defensively is probably my No. 1 role, I’d say.”
On expanding his range
Ighodaro’s jump shot has been a work in progress as he usually looks to finish at the rim with dunks, layups or with his one-handed push shot in the lane.
Looking at his shot chart, Ighodaro attempted 87.5% of his shots inside 10 feet.
He’s spent this summer working on becoming an offensive threat outside his comfort zone.
“Have been spending a lot of time on that," he said. "Specifically at the free throw line. Spending a lot of time there. Been working on the 3-ball as well. You’ll have to wait and see.”
Ighodaro shot just 45.3% from the free-throw line (53-of-117) last season.
As a rookie, he made 58% of his free throws (29-of-50).
Ighodaro has attempted only three 3s in his two NBA seasons, missing all three (0-for-1 last season).
On expectations entering 2026-27 season
“From the outside, I would assume probably not much," Ighodaro said when asked what changes he's expecting. "It’s going to probably be about the same from the outside, but from us, it’s the same as last year. It wasn’t a surprise to us what we did. We didn't do what we wanted to do in the playoffs, but we want to win every game we play. We want to compete in the playoffs and compete for a championship. That’s going to be our goal, and I’m excited for it.”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns' Oso Ighodaro working on 3, talks expectations, more | Exclusive
