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Marquette's Oso Ighodaro is betting on himself at the NBA combine and it's working
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- Marquette's Oso Ighodaro is betting on himself at the NBA combine and it's working
CHICAGO - Oso Ighodaro quietly slipped into his chair for his media availability at the NBA draft combine on Tuesday, while a horde of media members streamed past him to get in position to interview Bronny James in the corner of a ballroom at the Marriott Marquis.
It was the first time that LeBron James' son answered questions about his future in professional basketball, so the hype was understandable. But it was funny that Ighodaro was stationed right by James because the former Marquette big man has never been interested in the spotlight , only in the work that has built him into a possible first-round pick in next month's draft.
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"He's better than me, that's a tough task," Ighodaro said when eyeing up the horde holding microphones and cameras in front of James.
It was also fitting that Ighodaro showed up wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the likeness of MU's Ben Gold because it is the selflessness of Ighodaro's game that interests NBA teams.
"Any time I can rep my guys, I do it," Ighodaro said.
Oso Ighodaro has strong showing in NBA combine scrimmage
Prospects attack the NBA combine differently. MU's Tyler Kolek opted not to play in the five-on-five scrimmages because he felt like his pass-first game didn't fit in the chaotic style of the action.
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In the days leading up to the combine, Ighodaro debated the benefits of playing. But he decided to take the court in front of scouts and team executives.
"Me and my agent were talking, playing is my strong suit," Ighodaro said. "And just showing my versatility. A lot of guys were opting out, so I thought it was a good opportunity."
In the first half, Ighodaro seemed to be lost in the action as guards hunted their own shots. But in the second half, Ighodaro had figured out how to make an impact, and his teammates realized how he could make them better.
Ighodaro finished with eight points and five assists, including several highlight-worthy passes.
"I felt like I showed some versatility and did some good stuff," he said.
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Rebounding and shooting are question marks for Ighodaro
MU head coach Shaka Smart was at Wintrust Arena with assistants Neill Berry and DeAndre Haynes to watch Ighodaro.
"They just want me to rebound," Ighodaro said. "They were happy with me that I played well."
Ighodaro said that hitting the boards would be the focus of his second game on Wednesday. He had just one rebound on Tuesday.
NBA teams know about Ighodaro's ball-handling and passing, but there are questions about his rebounding (6.9 boards per game as a senior) and shooting (0 for 2 on three-pointers at MU). He measured 6 feet 9.5 inches without shoes at the combine, meaning he will likely be a power forward in the NBA.
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Ighodaro had an uneven showing in the shooting drills on Monday.
"I started off super slow," Ighodaro said. "I was a little disappointed in that, then I picked it up a little bit after that.
"I've been spending a lot of time on my shooting, so I was kind of disapppointed that I didn't show that. But I know that teams aren't drafting me for my three-point ability right now. I impact the game so many ways, I just have to remember that."
Marquette's Oso Ighodaro hopes to become a first-round pick in next month's NBA draft.
Oso Ighodaro wants to work way into being a first-round pick
Ighodaro has been getting extra work in Chicago with JD Danforth , who is the brother of the Houston Rockets ' Fred Van Vleet.
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"It starts with some ball-handling," Ighodaro said. "Then ball-handling into finishing. And different shooting drills after that. Basically touching everything."
It's a continuation of what Ighodaro has been doing in Los Angeles for the last month, alongside other clients of his Klutch Sports Group agency, including James.
After the combine this week, Ighodaro will head back to L.A. for a pro day with Klutch. Then there will be more workouts for teams ahead of the NBA draft on June 26 and 27.
"Hopefully I can work my way up and get a green-room invite (to the draft) like (MU's) O-Max (Prosper) did last year," Ighodaro said.
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Ighodaro is popping up on media mock drafts as a second-round pick , but teams this week were definitely debating his value as a first-round selection.
"Every team views me differently, obviously," Ighodaro said. "Some really value my versatility and things like that. They value my switchability on defense, being able to guard on the perimeter.
'Eventually, one of the teams is going to believe in me and hopefully I can find a home."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Marquette's Oso Ighodaro has highlights in NBA draft combine scrimmage
