Colorado University Athletics
Buffs' Namon Wright Aims For Consistency
November 30, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — In his first six games this year, Colorado junior Namon Wright has led or tied for the team lead at least once in scoring, assists, steals and blocks.
Overall, Wright, a transfer from Missouri, is third on the team in scoring (12.7 points per game), third in rebounding (3.3 rpg), tied for second in assists and is CU's leading free throw shooter in attempts and makes (26-for-32), as well as free throw percentage (81.3 percent).
Now, Wright and head coach Tad Boyle will like to see him add some consistency to his game.
"What makes players great is consistency," Wright said Thursday. "I'll have one good game attacking the rim and shoot 10 free throws. Then I'll have one good game shooting, one good game rebounding, one good game passing. If I can consistently put it together where I'm passing it well, I'm not turning the ball over, I'm making good plays for my teammates, I'm rebounding, I'm guarding the ball well — that's when I think I'll really be where I want to be."
Wright came to Colorado with the reputation as a scorer after averaging nearly 10 points per game at Missouri as a sophomore, a season that included 14 double-digit games.
This year, he has managed to hit double digits in four of six games — including a season high 19 vs. Drake — but his shooting percentage (44 percent overall and just 4-for-18 from 3-point range) has not been what he would like.
But Boyle said Wright's shooting percentage will improve. What Boyle wants to see more of is a consistent effort on the defensive end and a consistent effort on the boards.
"Namon's a really important piece of what we're trying to do," Boyle said. "My whole challenge to Namon is to defend and rebound at a high level. He has that scorer's mentality. He can get buckets, he can make shots, he can make tough shots, he can score in a crowd. … We're going to need him to score and get buckets. But he has to be patient, let the offense work, let it come to him. When he does that, he's going to be good."
Usually, transfers have the chance to make the most of their required redshirt season by practicing with the team every day. But Wright missed much of last season after suffering a foot injury early in the year. Now, he is finally rounding into what he and Boyle believe is "game form."
"I don't want to use being hurt as an excuse," Wright said. "When you're playing, you have to be on the court producing and helping your team win."
That means producing everywhere else if his shot isn't falling.
"I know on the defensive end what I have to do," he said. "Offensively I'm trying to pick my spots, try not to force it. When I've had bad games, I forced it; when I've had good games, I didn't force it. I'm trying to find that sweet spot where I can be productive and help my team the most."
Wright averaged almost six rebounds per game in his last year at Missouri; this year he is averaging 3.3 for the Buffs, a number he wants to improve. He is also learning how to distribute the ball, as witnessed by his four assists (tied for team high) in Sunday's win over Air Force.
"That's a testament to his versatility," Boyle said. "He's not just a scorer, but he can pass the ball. He puts a lot of pressure on the defense. That's the great thing about this team — we have a lot of guys that can score the ball. But when they start making plays for each other, we're really hard to guard … Sometimes scorers view themselves as scorers. (But) when they're not scoring, what are they doing to help your team? That's where Namon, from rebounding to defending to making plays for others, can really help us."
DEFENDING THE 3: To no one's surprise, Colorado State is once again a team that shoots 3-pointers with great regularity.
But thus far this year, the Rams' accuracy from long range hasn't been what head coach Larry Eustachy would like to see. In seven games, the 3-4 Rams have hit just 28 percent of their 3-point tries (41-for-146), including a 4-for-23 effort in Tuesday's 77-67 loss at Missouri State.
But CU's Boyle isn't counting on the Rams to continue that dry spell Saturday when the Buffs travel to Moby Arena for an 11 a.m. game.
"'They've struggled, but Air Force had struggled before they came in here and they had eight (3s) in the first half," Boyle said. "We know Colorado State has very capable 3-point shooters, they just haven't been making shots. We just need to make sure it doesn't start against the Buffs."
CSU guards Prentiss Nixon and J.D. Paige are CSU's most prolific 3-point shooters — but neither has been particularly accurate this year. Nixon is shooting just 35 percent from long range (16-for-46) while Paige has hit just 25 percent of his 3-point attempts (9-for-36).
Still, Boyle knows that shooters can get hot at any time — and a home game against an in-state rival is a likely moment. The Rams are unbeaten at home this year (3-0), and in those games, Nixon and Paige have combined to hit 10 of their 29 3-point tries.
"The 3-point shot is a great equalizer," Boyle said. "That's why it's a scary thing as a coach."
PREPPING FOR PAC-12: Boyle said the annual matchup with the Rams is always good preparation for conference play.
"Larry Eustachy has a reputation and his teams are always tough, they always play hard, they're gritty and they rebound the ball," Boyle said. "He coaches rebounding as well as any coach in America. You know you're in for a battle. Colorado State is not going to beat themselves. You have to beat them. If you play well, you give yourself a chance to do that. … It prepares us for league play and that's what you want out of nonconference games."
SATURDAY BROADCAST: Saturday's game will be broadcast by KOA radio (850 am) with Mark Johnson and Scott Wilke. The game will also be televised by AT&T SportsNet, with Drew Goodman and Marty Fletcher.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
