CJ Fredrick is a proven shot-maker when he is healthy. (Photo by Vicky Graff)
CJ Fredrick can make shots and any team, including Kentucky, needs all the shot makers it can find.
Fredrick was expected to be a big contributor for UK last season after transferring from Iowa but injuries prevented him from playing all season.
So how much will he help John Calipari’s 2022-23 team?
“The question is just how healthy will he be,” UK Radio Network analyst Mike Pratt, a former UK All-American, said. “He was not always healthy at Iowa, so that is a concern.”
What about his shooting?
“He can flat shoot it now and he is not going to quit shooting or making shots because he’s at Kentucky instead of Iowa,” Pratt said. “I think he’s going to be a real factor next season.”
Pratt says with point guard Sahvir Wheeler running the offense again, Kentucky needs shooters around him.
“Calipari said CJ was a better defender than he thought when he transferred before he got hurt,” Pratt said. “I think he will treat him differently because of that than he might have Dontaie Allen. I think you will see him play through (shooting) slumps because of his defense. I think he will give CJ plenty of run and if he’s healthy he is going to help a lot.”
4 Responses
With Cason coming in at CJ’s position, do you really see him averaging more than 15 minutes per game?
Well might need Cason some at the point also so I think there will be plenty of playing time available
I figure Cason will backup Wheeler, but do you think Cal will play Wheeler less than 30-32 minutes? Or will he play more deep shooters on the floor this season and cut Wheeler’s minutes?
I think he is all in on Wheeler, but hope I am wrong.
If he would cut Wheeler to 20-24 minutes, using him only when it was advantageous, there would be room to add another combo guard.
Wheeler =20 minutes
Wallace = 24 minutes
Frederick = 16 minutes
New combo = 20 minutes
Total 40 minutes between1 and 2 spots
This assumes the new guy is better than Frederick and at least equal to Wheeler but with shooting ability (remember when we had room for Scheirman a few weeks ago? That kind of different)
Thoughts?
Plenty of playing time should be available. It is a long season, and last year UK had at least 4 guards with injuries and thus did not have enough depth. I’m much more concerned that UK needs one more perimeter plays that can shoot.