Texas Hoops Report: This team can shoot it!
The Texas Longhorns are in the final week of summer workouts before a quick break prior to the fall semester.
Rodney Terry and staff have been conducting summer workouts on the court working to build chemistry, and set expectations on both ends of the floor. New strength and conditioning coach Corey Schlesinger has been receiving rave reviews from anyone Inside Texas has spoken with close to the program.
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A real strength of the 2023-24 team should be perimeter shooting. These Longhorns are a team that is being looked at as capable of shooting 37-38% from three, and averaging as many as nine makes per game. That is showing on a daily basis in The Moody Practice facility.
Tyrese Hunter, PG, junior (10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists)
Hunter is healthy and has been locked in this summer. He’s getting a lot of shots up on a daily basis, and working on his game off the bounce. Hunter has natural leadership ability, and he’s embracing a bigger role headed into the season. He improved from 27.4% from the three-point line as a freshman to 33.4% in year two. A small increase to 35% in year three wouldn’t be a surprise.
Hunter has played in two Sweet 16 games, and an Elite 8 game in two college seasons.
Max Abmas, CG, super senior (21.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists at ORU)
Abmas has attacked every day with a professional mindset. The staff never has to wonder if they will get maximum Max on a daily basis. The super senior is showing the ability to score in bunches, and that includes off the bounce. Defensively, Abmas is viewed as a smart defender that will be a plus in team defense.
Abmas enters his final year of college basketball with 2,562 points scored, 420 made three-pointers at 38.8% and 88.1% from the free throw line.
Ithiel Horton, SG, super senior (12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists at UCF)
Horton got to Austin in mid-July, and has fit right in. The 6-foot-4 and change guard has as quick of release as anyone in the program. He’s showing the feel to corner space playing on the court with Abmas, and he is a confident corner shooter. Horton is also showing the ability to play with the ball, as Coach Terry noted in an interview with Inside Texas two weeks ago.
Horton, Abmas and Hunter on the court at the same time will provide the Horns with a potent offensive backcourt. Horton has 225 career three-point makes at 37.6%, and is an 80.8% free throw shooter.
Brock Cunningham, F, super-duper senior (4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists)
Cunningham was called the leader of last years team by Rodney Terry two weeks ago, and has continued that this summer. Cunningham is getting up hundreds of of shots on a daily basis, reportedly has the look of an even more confident shooter headed into his final season in Austin. Cunningham is in the conversation to be a starter in 2023-24, depending on if Texas goes big with the starting five at times.
Cunningham is one of four players on the Texas roster that is a 36% or better career three-point shooter.
Dillon Mitchell, F, sophomore (4.3 points, 3.9 rebounds)
Mitchell deferred on the offensive end for much of his freshman season. Mitchell is working to improve his jump shot mechanics consistency, and has shown some signs of improvement at times. While he will take the occasional three, he will make a living in the mid-range on this Texas team. He’s a more confident player offensively this summer, but now it’s all about it carrying over to games. Mitchell remains the best forward/big defender with his ability to switch anything and defend on the perimeter.
Ze’Rik Onyema, PF, senior (7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.5 blocks at UTEP)
The 6-foot-8, 235-pounder has been a pleasant surprise this summer. He’s been in the gym every day working on his offensive skill, and free throw shooting. Onyema will bring a paint physicality that is ahead of anyone on the Texas roster last season. He’s also a power two-foot leaper in the paint, and has shown good hands in rim runs and as a trailer in transition opportunities cutting through the lane. Defensively, being asked to defend on the perimeter and rotate down to the paint is an area Onyema can improve headed into the season.
A huge key for Onyema in 2023-24 will be the ability to convert free throws. He will need to see a Christian Bishop like improvement to be a player that can stay on the court late in close games for defensive purposes. Onyema shot 55.7% from the foul line a year ago, which was a 25% improvement over two seasons ago.
Chendall Weaver, SG, sophomore (9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists at UTA)
The 6-foot-3 WAC Freshman of the Year is an athletic freak per S&C coach Corey Schlesinger. The 6-foot-3 guard took a nasty fall on his wright wrist in June, but returned to workouts this week. Weaver has shown all the traits that made him rip past expectations as a freshman at UT-Arlington. He’s very athletic on both ends, competes on every possession, lives in the gym, is coachable and is highly competitive at all times.
Chris Johnson, CG, freshman
Johnson has been a standout with ball in hand since arriving. His instinct, feel and what he’s learned training with T.J. Ford for years is translating to the court against very experienced guards. He’s a legit 6-foot-4 and change, is quick, has vertical pop and getting up a lot of extra shots before and after workouts. Ithiel Horton has spent time after workouts getting up shots with Johnson. Johnson is working to raise his release for a more consistency.
Additional Notes
Dylan Disu continues to rehab after surgery on his foot. Texas is taking it slow with him to try and ensure he’s ready to go after the summer.
Kadin Shedrick is also getting back to 100% after off-season shoulder surgery. The 6-foot-10.5 big man is getting close to a return to the court.
Patience will be the key for 6-foot-5.5 sophomore forward Alex Anamekwe. And consistency. He’s continuing on the process of developing his offensive game, and team defensive consistency.
Six-foot-seven freshman wing Devon Pryor will not report until the fall semester. He’s finishing up work to finalize his reclassification to the 2023 class.
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