From 6.7 points (for 35% success at 3-points) to 18.6 points on average (44% success by far), between his first and fourth seasons at Gonzaga, Corey Kispert has gradually established himself as one of the NCAA’s most trusted shooters. A quality which earned him to be drafted this year by the Wizards, in 15th position.
However, in order to hope to make his hole in Washington, the 22-year-old winger will have to get rid of this shooter label that sticks (rightly) to his skin, by trying to contribute in other areas. Well aware of this need, the former member of the “Zags” has thus sought to be less predictable, by diversifying his offensive palette.
This summer, with a view to his integration with the Wizards, Corey Kispert therefore set out to become more threatening inside the 3-point line, by developing his game without the ball and the cuts towards the basket.
« I shaped this aspect of my game last season », He reported on this subject, pour NBC Sports Washington. « In Gonzaga, we were very attentive to the notion of space. We knew exactly where we were on the pitch, when and how to cut to the circle. We were so good at it that the cuts to the circle were an integral part of our attack and that allowed me to score a lot of points. And, in the NBA, there are even more spaces and voids to fill. »
Offer open positions to teammates
With the process still running its course, it will obviously take some time before Corey Kispert, whose individual defense shortcomings are likely to be a problem in the NBA, becomes fully comfortable with his new Wizards teammates, on a collective level.
« I learn as much as them, because they learn from me and I learn from them The Washington rookie continued. “ It is simply a matter of patience. And we will get there soon. As for me, I will not stop cutting towards the basket. »
Franchise that managed the most cuts to the basket in 2020/21, with 10.1 per game, just ahead of the Nuggets (9.8), these neo-Wizards version Wes Unseld Jr. (Michael Malone’s assistant in… Denver, the season last) should continue to base their offensive play on movement, around Bradley Beal.
And the new Washington coach expects Corey Kispert to take the opportunity to surprise his defenders closer to the circle, aware of the danger he represents behind the arc. And, thus, benefit the inevitable Bradley Beal, but also Kyle Kuzma, Davis Bertans, Raul Neto or Rui Hachimura.
« His shoot is one thing, it’s going to be a constant of his season », Estimated the technician. ” So opposing franchises will defend him like a shooter because they know who he is and what he can do. But his cuts to the basket will be just as important, as they will cause adjustments and set someone free. »
