Jerrell emerging

[broderickpresident]

Every other guy on this list has at least had an NBA cup of coffee. He was unstoppable in the paint against some bigger opponents and has gotten better about not dropping his shoulder too much and getting whistled for the charge. I'm hoping he'll get some more respect from the refs on defense to not get quick fouls so often. If he can gain some consistency, he could be the key to keeping us towards the top of the A-10 next season. As we're well aware, it's a special thing to have a guy you can throw the ball into on the block and consistently get buckets...


Best FG% in NCAA Tournament
Since 1997, Mimimum 25 FGA

2007 Chris Richard 22-26 .846
2013 Jerrell Wright 22-27 .815
2009 Blake Griffin 46-59 .780
2011 Vernon Macklin 24-31 .774
2004 Shavlik Randolph 20-26 .769
2010 DeMarcus Cousins 23-31 .742
2008 Derrick Brown 20-27 .741

[odog]

Sorry, until he realizes he has a right hand, he will struggle against opponents who have bothered to watch him play for 5 min. (A-10, Big Five).

But what he's been able to pull off essentially having his right arm tied to his torso is remarkable, so any improvement there will mean big things for a very likable player.

[lwc4591]

Odog truth is many big guys don't have much success with right or left hand. Every coach who has watched film or Wright knows he only uses left but it doesn't matter when you are that close to the basket and that strong just ask the four teams he just played.

[broderickpresident]

I'll note that he shot a combined 11-for-14 in the 2nd games against the only opponents we played twice this season (Butler & GW). If you're going to be one-handed, you might as well be a southpaw. I'd agree that I'd love to see him diversify his post-game a bit and maybe develop his touch a bit, but you've got to love him converting everything at the rim and also knocking down his FTs much better late in the season (13-for-15 in final 3 games).

[durenduren]

I'll say it... There's a reason he came off the bench most of the time. So he got hot for a few games, yes. But Steve is much much better off the ball in the offensive end than Jerrell. I'm not knocking what he did, because he really woke up. But let's keep this in perspective. Too much Explorer flavored Kool-Aid.

[durenduren]

Mar 29, 2013 20:00:35 GMT -5 broderickpresident said:

... you've got to love him converting everything at the rim and also knocking down his FTs much better late in the season (13-for-15 in final 3 games).

Boise State: FT 1-5.
We all know Jerrell doesn't shoot FT's well. Maybe he's just incredibly clutch. Maybe he's turned over a new leaf. But a three game sample size in a very unique setting isn't entirely fair.

[broderickpresident]

Mar 29, 2013 20:09:30 GMT -5 durenduren said:

I'll say it... There's a reason he came off the bench most of the time. So he got hot for a few games, yes. But Steve is much much better off the ball in the offensive end than Jerrell. I'm not knocking what he did, because he really woke up. But let's keep this in perspective. Too much Explorer flavored Kool-Aid.

I think I am keeping this in perspective. He was dominant on the biggest stage we've been on in 58 years and I'm excited that it could be a sign of things to come. These were not all buckets on wide open duck ins for dunks. He was powering through and around people, showing nimble feet and great touch.

[cpico]

Mar 29, 2013 19:53:36 GMT -5 odog said:

Sorry, until he realizes he has a right hand, he will struggle against opponents who have bothered to watch him play for 5 min. (A-10, Big Five).

But what he's been able to pull off essentially having his right arm tied to his torso is remarkable, so any improvement there will mean big things for a very likable player.

Sorry, but I'd take Jerrell Wright on my team any day of the week. I hope he improves going right as well, but he's a pretty good player right now. I for one am very happy he's an Explorer.

[lasallescreamer]

Whats important is that JW stepped it up when he had to. Great improvement. Carry that over to next year and we have a very good player. I like what Steve brings as well. Love to see them play together for 15-20/game.

[lwc4591]

Wright and Zack along with Davis and Brown will reign in the A10 the next two seasons.

[crayzeeguy]

I'd like to see Jerrell work on his conditioning a bit as well as attempt to get a bit quicker as opposed to bulking up too much and slowing down.

[lasalle89]

Jerrell has become a man. Yes he needs work but he now knows what it takes to win. He will be a leader on this team next year. I am watching the Louisville /Oregon game and the Kansas /Michigan. I am still on a high that we were right there. Ty is going to have to work on his shot. We have a lot of offense to make up for.

[durenduren]

Mar 29, 2013 20:19:25 GMT -5 broderickpresident said:

Mar 29, 2013 20:09:30 GMT -5 durenduren said:

I'll say it... There's a reason he came off the bench most of the time. So he got hot for a few games, yes. But Steve is much much better off the ball in the offensive end than Jerrell. I'm not knocking what he did, because he really woke up. But let's keep this in perspective. Too much Explorer flavored Kool-Aid.

I think I am keeping this in perspective. He was dominant on the biggest stage we've been on in 58 years and I'm excited that it could be a sign of things to come. These were not all buckets on wide open duck ins for dunks. He was powering through and around people, showing nimble feet and great touch.

I saw Ole Miss and K-State in person, I get what you're saying. Fact, he had a career day against K-State. I need to see Jerrell become much more effective off the ball first though. Add some diversity into his arsenal of post moves, it could get scary for other teams.

Jerrell is the kind of player that you need to pull into the game though. He's a shadow of how he can play until he gets a big play under his belt. Once he gets that big play, he tends to get rolling. I need this kid to come out turned up. I want his dominance to be something that sets the tone before tip-off, not something that is figured out and sparked along the way.

Just my two cents. Hopefully this is a new JW, the one we all were told he could be.

[cpico]

Mar 29, 2013 20:09:30 GMT -5 durenduren said:

I'll say it... There's a reason he came off the bench most of the time. So he got hot for a few games, yes. But Steve is much much better off the ball in the offensive end than Jerrell. I'm not knocking what he did, because he really woke up. But let's keep this in perspective. Too much Explorer flavored Kool-Aid.

Jerrell started 33 games this season. What do you mean by saying he came off the bench most of the time? Again, he started 33 of 34 games.

[durenduren]

meant there's a reason he was coming off the bench in comparison to steve's minutes. on second look, i see that the minutes are alot closer than first look. my mistake.

[23won]

I'd like to see them both getting 28-30 minutes a game on a consistent basis and less of our guards getting high 30s. More balance with a 3 guard set, limited spans with a 4 guard set and our top guards logging 28-32 minutes is optimal IMO.

I think Jerrel is an awesome threat and don't see durenx2's point. I have long bemoaned why G didn't play JW more. His perfomance with solid minutes supports that.

[lwc4591]

Depending on size of team we play and thier speed will dictate 3 or 4 guards on the floor. G will have nice options next season with a bigger team and more depth. Question for me is J.Davis a project or a little more advanced. Regarding R.Brown it will be nice that he won't have to face guys 2" or 3" bigger when we find ourselves going up against big opponents with a healthy S.Zack and addition of Davis.

[lwc4591]

One thing very important for S.Zack is to work on a soft hook shot and a 5' to 8' turnaround at basket.

[mikesmd77]

If Jerrell doesn't develop the ability to finish with his right hand once in awhile to keep the defender honest our coaches will have failed this summer. It is the number one asset that can really catapult the team next year, in my opinion. Jerrell is VERY difficult to keep from the paint. If he can occasionally finish right so that they defense can't completely try and take away his left he is virtually unstoppable. Get it done!

[victoriouslasalle]

Mar 30, 2013 15:00:57 GMT -5 mikesmd77 said:

If Jerrell doesn't develop the ability to finish with his right hand once in awhile to keep the defender honest our coaches will have failed this summer. It is the number one asset that can really catapult the team next year, in my opinion. Jerrell is VERY difficult to keep from the paint. If he can occasionally finish right so that they defense can't completely try and take away his left he is virtually unstoppable. Get it done!

Agree whole heartedly, and I can't help but think Jerrell will be a willing pupil.

He showed so much growth throughout this season. The Jerrell who started the season could not have carried the team on his back during crunch time leading to victory like during the K state game. the season saw terrific development of poise and confidence.
Hard for me to think he will not submit to the process and learn to do what it takes. For me he can be a dominant PF in the A10 befor all is said and done. those capabilitites can come by developing the skills you speak of. Love to see him keep working on the D and become a more complete player, also.

[coqui900]

Jerrell is great and has been since the start and we're only just starting to see what he's capable of doing. The kid shot over 80% from the field in three tournament games -- that's alarming. On top of it, he was absolutely ice cold in making those FTs against K State. Who would have thought that?

I think CNNSI had something on him earlier this year in one of their "Ten Breakout Candidates" and compared him to a former ACC banger that I can't quite remember.

He needs to work on his right but his left is essentially unstoppable at this point. He also needs to get better on defense since Wichita State tore him apart by going one on one with him in the post w/ one of their bigs who had a bigger size advantage against him.

I also really liked his passing in the tournament. He got some open looks.

We'll be lucky if he stays all four years if he makes THE LEAP this year. He's so much better than he was as a freshman.

[ericmurry]

Jerrell is a total stud. He has been great the few months of the season.

[23won]

Mar 30, 2013 15:44:29 GMT -5 coqui900 said:

He needs to work on his right but his left is essentially unstoppable at this point. He also needs to get better on defense since Wichita State tore him apart by going one on one with him in the post w/ one of their bigs who had a bigger size advantage against him.

That WSU big is 24 years old and tore up the vaunted interior of Ohio State yesterday.  Hall is a beast.  Jerrell will make more strides this year.  It will be exciting to watch.

[lwc4591]

Jerrell did a great job after the opening few minutes when we were down 14-2 and did manage to cut lead back down to 8 points in first half before he got his second foul and went back to bench. I think (but can't remember) Wichita St. scored last 10 points of first half with Jerrell on bench. We tend to give other teams no matter who it is more credit then they deserve when your team just flat out misses open shots which in this tournyfor many teams there have been boat loads of. Certainly good defense should be recognized but in some games you can't hit the ocean from the beach and when it happens your team is done. I hope Wichita St. wins it all and they have the horses to do it but just like any other team at this point one bad shooting half (30% or less) and chances are your done.

[mookie]

He was great in the tourney. But for him to be more in effective in the A10 he'll need to diversify his game. A10 teams sat on him an waited for him to go left and turn into the middle of the lane before double teaming him and forcing TOs. In the NCAAs, teams weren't that familiar with him (an understatement) and he was able to take advantage of that. If he wants to be in the NBA, he needs more diversity and moves.

[calsufan]

Mar 31, 2013 9:27:52 GMT -5 lwc4591 said:

Jerrell did a great job after the opening few minutes when we were down 14-2 and did manage to cut lead back down to 8 points in first half before he got his second foul and went back to bench. I think (but can't remember) Wichita St. scored last 10 points of first half with Jerrell on bench. We tend to give other teams no matter who it is more credit then they deserve when your team just flat out misses open shots which in this tournyfor many teams there have been boat loads of. Certainly good defense should be recognized but in some games you can't hit the ocean from the beach and when it happens your team is done. I hope Wichita St. wins it all and they have the horses to do it but just like any other team at this point one bad shooting half (30% or less) and chances are your done.

I was at the game 12 rows up and with the angle I had could see the entire floor and flow of the game. It was clear from the outset that Wichita's D was giving the team fits. You could see how they weren't allowing good penetration by our guards and they were being forced back outside. This was more about Wichita's good D than us missing shots.

[calsufan]

Mar 31, 2013 9:55:04 GMT -5 mookie said:

He was great in the tourney. But for him to be more in effective in the A10 he'll need to diversify his game. A10 teams sat on him an waited for him to go left and turn into the middle of the lane before double teaming him and forcing TOs. In the NCAAs, teams weren't that familiar with him (an understatement) and he was able to take advantage of that. If he wants to be in the NBA, he needs more diversity and moves.

No question about it. He really needs to diversify if he wants to play pro ball. As everyone stated, he definitely needs to learn how to go to his write, but he will also need to develop a 10 to 15 foot jump shot as well.

[lwc4591]

Taking blinders off Jerrell because of size would have to play overseas but NBA is just not realistic. I love what he has done and he could make a good buck in Europe if he seeks out professional career. Calsufan yes W.St. played very good D against us but a number of open shots were missed. I think a lack of our D because of their clear size advantage was a bigger problem than their D.

[lasalleballer]

In order for Jerrell to take it to the next level he needs to: 1) be abel to make moves to his right and develop a little righty jump hook 2) He needs to be able to hit a 15 foot jumper. Have you ever seen him take a jumper? Imagine it he could shoot from 15 feet or fake a jumper and drive. He could be unstoppable. With the amount of time these kids have to practice in the off season, that is not unreasonable to develop in the off season.

[lasallescreamer]

JW does not need to shoot from 15 feet. But, it would be nice if he could develop a face the basket pop shot from 8-10 to complement his back to basket baby hook. He would be beastly!