Position Preview: Shooting Guards

It isn’t easy to follow in the footsteps of guys like Evan Turner and Jon Diebler. Those guys were prolific scorers and really good shooters. This years group of Shooting Guards includes a cagey Junior and a sharp shooting true Freshman. One of them brings defensive intensity and the other brings a true deep threat from behind the ARC. So lets get to know these guys a little bit better and see where we are at for the 2012/2013 OSU shooting guards.

Lenzelle Smith Jr. is a 6’4″ 210 lbs Shooting Guard from Zion, Illinois. The former 3 star recruit is entering his 3rd year with Ohio State and his 2nd year as a starter. Last year Lenzelle was at best the 4th option on offense and played more of a utility role and focused on defense. His stats weren’t exactly gaudy but they were consistent at 6.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Where Lenzelle made a name for himself was in the NCAA tourney where he was named to the NCAA All-East Region Team after averaging 17.5 points and 4.5 rebounds through games vs. Cincinnati and Syracuse. When the other teams focused on the OSU stars he stepped up and provided a real scoring threat and gave us a glimpse into what he can be for this years team. Thad Matta will need Lenzelle to step up even more this year not only on the offensive side but with his leadership. He will need to help groom his future replacement and the next guy on our SGs list. Below you can see a highlight video of Lenzelles.

Amedeo Della Valle is a 6’5″ 185 lbs 3 star Shooting Guard from Las Vegas, Nevada via Italy. Amedeo comes to OSU from National High School powerhouse Findlay Prep where he honed his skills as a 3 point specialist. He is a work in progress but with his size and speed and ability to hit jump shots from anywhere on the floor he fills a need for OSU that they so dearly have missed since Jon Diebler left last year. A 3 point specialist and a guy who can hit it consistently on spot up shots. There wont be a lot asked of Amedeo this year as long as Lenzelle can stay healthy and out of foul trouble. Ohio State has a short bench this year though so he may play more then was expected. His ability to hit the 3 ball will be needed and he can come in to snipe some shots when needed. Below you can see some highlights of Amedeo.

Comments

  1. I have a soft spot for lefties, and lefty shooters like Lenzelle are my guys. I worry that with more responsibility he’ll struggle under pressure. His success, as you pointed out, was NOT being the guy. We’re going to lean on him more now and hopefully that left hand stays hot.

    Della Valle is an unknown, but filling Diebler’s shoes is not something taken lightly.

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