Story by
Something is wrong with JJ Starling's free throws for Syracuse
- Story by
- Something is wrong with JJ Starling's free throws for Syracuse
Something is wrong with JJ Starling's free throws for Syracuse originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
JJ Starling has a great jump shot.
Advertisement
But for some reason, his free throw stroke looks nothing like it.
It's a confusing reality for the Syracuse Orange, and one that might put a cap on how good SU can be this season.
Starling is Syracuse's most gifted offensive player. He scored nearly 18 points per game a season ago, and after a first-game injury this season, he's started to find his mojo again in Vegas.
But when Starling goes to the line, everything changes.
MORE: LeBron passes Michael in a stat that means nothing in the GOAT debate
He goes from a smooth pull-up jumper to a hitch-laden shot that misses a ton.
This is what it looks like:
MORE: Shedeur Sanders given Barack Obama-level praise by NBA champion
Advertisement
Starling isn't the only Syracuse player who has struggled at the foul line this season.
But given that Starling has the ball in his hands so often and attacks the rim so frequently, this is the most consequential foul shot on the team.
A season ago, Starling shot 68.5% from the line.
Entering Wednesday's game against Iowa State, Starling had made just 33% of his freebies in a small sample size.
It's not something anyone in Syracuse wants to see. Starling is a Baldwinsville native who came back home after starting his career at Notre Dame, and he's such a good player everywhere else on the floor.
Advertisement
But somehow, SU has to figure out what to do with Starling at the foul line. Because this isn't working.
