More Stanback
What was UCLA freshman wing Chace Stanback like as a defender before coming to UCLA? Well, he relayed this anecdote about defending Josh Shipp during a summer pick-up game.
“It was not good," Stanback said. "I played off him and he was standing five feet behind the 3-point line and he hit five of them in a row. Now, I’d play up on him. I know he loves that cross-over dribble and I’d be ready for it.’’
Stanback said he also changed his shooting style. He said he used to drop the ball down to his waste before shooting it, and that gave defenders a chance to recover and block or alter his shot.
Having Westy as his roommate and Shipp as his tutor is only going to help him get better. He acknolwedges his weaknesses particularly on defense and he is going through very typical growing pains of making that transition from high school to college (and not all of that is on the court). If he develops a work ethic like Westy, works on his game and physique in the off-season, maybe he comes back for a great sophomore year much like Westy has this season.
I view Stanback like Dijon Thompson who had to learn growing pains. Just like Dijon, after Stanback's 4 years career here at UCLA, he'll be playing like an NBA draft pick player. He has so much upside potential. The good thing for him, he understands his flaw and he has a great coaching staff and upper class teammates to tutor him.