Did Chris Wright just make the leap?
Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009 9:42 AM
Filed Under:
A-10
Let’s play a little game.
Raise your hand if Evan Turner and Manny Harris were on your preseason All-America team (both turned in triple-doubles last week). Just a few?
Now, what about Da’Sean Butler (26 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) and Greivis Vasquez (13 assists topped all players last weekend)? Hardly any?
OK then, what about Chris Wright? Did anyone foresee the 6-8 Dayton junior opening with such an efficient, impressive performance like he did against Creighton?
OK, I’ll be honest – Wright made our team, but Saturday’s 25-point, 8-rebound effort against an NCAA-caliber team like the Blue Jays surpassed what I expected. His 1.63 PPWS and 83.3 eFG% represents a monstrous leap from his inefficient sophomore season when he hoisted too many 3s. More importantly, he rose to the occasion when the Flyers needed it most in the second half.
"It's about just knowing what my best game is, knowing I'm not a 3-point shooter, someone that's handling the ball all the time — but doing what I do best," Wright said. "When you do what you're good at, you fit in your role on the team."
It’s the kind of game that’ll shoot Wright into college hoops stardom. Well, that and his dunks.
As the Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy writes, Wright possesses extraordinary basketball skills. When he plays to his strengths – attacking the rim – and doesn’t force things, the Flyers could be awfully dangerous.
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