Stu Douglass's Spring Term
In the Detroit media outlet-that-must-not-be-named (print link), we learn that Stu Douglass is spending his spring term pursuing graduate level basketball instruction.
Douglass began working out at the Indianapolis-area Champions Academy last week to refine his game.
The Academy, run by former Wright State coach Ed Schilling, has become a hotbed of Midwest talent this summer as Douglass is working alongside a number of Purdue players – E’Twaun Moore, Keaton Grant, Chris Kramer – and likely first-round pick Gordon Hayward among others [including likely first round draft pick Patrick Patterson from Kentucky].
Stu's attendance is an indication of his dedication to getting to the next level in his development.
The six sessions a week are intense but Douglass saw this as a chance to push him game forward and it didn’t take much convincing to have his parents pay for it.
The program is supposed to last a month but Douglass said he may continue there until it’s time to return to school near the end of June, he said.
“Last summer I was coming into it and I wanted to work out more, but it wasn’t enough,” Douglass said. “I’m self-motivated but this is really helping me as well. They help you develop toward your goals. There’s a couple drills that are really easy to bring with me and I can show them to some of the guys. Everything from ball-handling to anything else.”
And how is he showing?
“He’s really made a commitment,” Schilling said. “It’s really hard and physically challenging for anybody. He’s going through it through two a days, 4-5 hours a day.” With the Academy only a 20-25 minute drive from his Carmel, Ind., home, Douglass is making the most of his time away from Ann Arbor and making an impression.
“Oh my goodness, he’s not even the same player,” Schilling said. “Out of high school I knew he could shoot, but honestly may have been a little bit of a stretch play in Big Ten, getting quality minutes as a freshman and sophomore. To see the difference between last year and this year is night and day. People are coming in to watch (the potential pro players) and they ask who that guy is. He looks like one of the guys who’s going to play professionally. He’s now able to create, shooting off ball screens, guarding people. He’s really worked on his game from the time the season ended.”
Some times it pays to click on a link that takes you to the dark side.
I think the best part of the article was just one line: "He's now able to create, shooting off ball screens, guarding people."
Great to see. Stu has been my favorite player the last two years, mainly because he reminded me of myself. Chucker with a good shot, but limited everywhere else. Glad to see he's making the commitment to take the next step.
I was totally expecting discussion of IM Softball. This, however, is better.
There were a lot of times last year when I felt Stu made a good initial move to get open, or drive the lane, and instead of pulling up for an open shot, or taking it to the basket he would always differ and back down and look to pass. From the sounds of this article we will see a whole new Stu in these types of situations. Very promising.
Please be accurate.
"He looks like one of the guys who's going to play professionally." I love Stu, but I'll believe that when I see it.
I don't think it's that farfetched.. We all know he can shoot, and last year i thought that he was also are best on the ball defender. No one is talking about the NBA, but I see no reason why he cannot be successful in Europe if he continues his solid work ethic.
Stu can "Create his own shot, and guard people" now, I really have to see that in a game. I just don't think Stu will ever be athletic enough to create his own shot. How will he be able to get enough seperation off his man? I just hope this is all true Michigan really like really needs him to average in double figures.
JJ Reddick seemed to get enough separation from his man. Creating your own shot is much, much easier when your shot is good enough that you don't need much room.
the fact you are comparing JJ redick to STU douglass is just.... There is no comparsion JJ is much more athletic than Stu, and thats not saying much. Also JJ is a HELL of alot better shooter than Stu can or ever will be
redick is not "much more athletic" than stu douglass and it doesn't take that much athleticism to create separation off the dribble. it takes ballhandling ability which can be learned. it also takes an ability to set up screens which can also be learned. and who's to say douglass can't become a great shooter like jj redick? jj wasn't born being able to shoot like that, its hours of repetition that gives you that level of shooting ability. if stu puts in the time then he will be get better.
Stu Douglass will never be half of JJ Redick period
Don't overlook that Redick was on a Top 10 Duke team during his career. I know Douglass spent the first two years of his career with two (hopefully!) future NBA players, but the weapons surrounding Redick would have given him much more opportunity to contribute offensively. And, Stu was a fantastic defender last year. I actually think, especially with significant offseason improvement, this is a very apt comparison.
Please tell me what makes JJ much more athletic than Stu. Same size and weight....I'm sure you were talking about vertical and 40 time, right?
Based on last night's game with Boston, I guarantee Stu is better than Redick is at calling a timeout down the stretch.
Even if the things Schilling is saying is inaccurate/inflated, I gotta give Douglas some props for putting in the time and effort . We will definitely need some of the role players like hime to step up their game to the next level next year.
I was just going to say that. Even if the things Schiiling is saying are exaggerated, it's clear Stu is putting in the work in the off-season to improve, and it's likely that he will. Now that Manny and Peedi are gone, there are going to be a lot of touches up for grabs this season. If Stu can prove he can shoot and create, he'll get a lot of them.
Put it in the book lol
I have a friend that went to school with me at Indiana State. He is doing a his summer intern and has been working with Stu's physical training. I could get updates on how he's doing if you all are interested?
Based on the existence of this thread, I'd say we're interested.
What?
considering this is sports related blog dedicated to all things Michigan, I'm going to go with "yes"
This is a good article with great, new information and some excellent reporting. I think I'll go ahead and visit the actual article page.
I know some people will never forgive the Freep, but seriously, I think people should give credit where credit is due.
http://www.freep.com/article/20100517/BLOG14/100517033/U-M-s-Douglass-w…
Not sure how good Stu is going to be, but he is athletic enough and skilled enough to be at the very least a good Big Ten guard. If I were to name a player he reminds me of and whose game he should emulate it would be Jeff Hornacek.
Come on Stu! We really need a great three-point shooter and hopefully he or Novak can fit the bill.