UConn guard Shabazz Napier is in the middle of an impressive season. He leads the team in scoring (17.2 ppg) and steals (39), is second in assists (81) and rebounding (88), and is the team’s best three-point shooter (40%). In addition to traditional statistics, Napier has been the undeniable leader for a team that has overachieved.
Napier has kept his teammates focused and hungry, which in turn has yielded some impressive victories. After Sunday’s performance in which he dominated an overtime period to seal a victory against USF, the storylines were written about how much he loves the big shot, how he craves the ball in clutch situations, and how he always seems to deliver.
Obvious comparisons have been drawn to a former teammate of Napier’s, Kemba Walker. Walker’s legendary performance in leading UConn to an unexpected national championship in 2011 is a tough standard to live up to, but Napier takes it all in stride.
Their collegiate career paths are oddly similar. Both played on Final Four teams as freshmen while notably assisting established, veteran guards. Both survived disappointing teams during their sophomore campaigns only to blossom into leaders their junior years.
Of course, Walker’s true legacy was born when the regular season ended. He led UConn through a magical Big East Tournament run – 5 games in 5 days – dominating the competition on a national stage. Then he outdid himself by willing an outmanned Husky squad to a national championship. It was the postseason performance that vaulted Walker up the draft boards and into the consciousness of the casual fan and the industry insider.
That scenario is impossible for Shabazz Napier. After his recent heroics, a number of writers started floating the question, “would Shabazz go pro?” Napier, and his mother, shrugged off the question with the expected clichés. Focused on the task at hand. Dedicated to this year’s team. It’s in God’s hands.
But it is a fair question. A season, and a career arc, like Napier’s should be warranting enough attention and respect to get the national rumor mill churning, much like it did for Walker. Only Napier plays for a UConn team banned from the very tournaments that vaulted his predecessor into stardom.
Without the forum of tournament play to really prove himself, Napier appears to be nothing more than a feel-good story for UConn fans. At last glance, NBADraft.net has Napier ranked 67th on their big board of NBA draft prospects. They were the most generous. ESPN’s Chad Ford has Napier 215th overall – listing him as a potential 2nd round pick, or possibly undrafted. Draft Express does not have him ranked at all.
Anyone who has seen Napier play this year would tell you those rankings are all mistaken. There is no way this performance is being turned in by a non-prospect. It would appear though, that no one else is noticing.
In the long run, this may be good news for UConn fans who are already looking forward to next season, when the likable and talented core of this year’s squad will be joined by interesting new recruits and reinstated into tournament play. Still, you have to feel bad for Napier, who was recently recognized for his superior academic performance. Not only is he losing out on the chance to win another tournament this year – punished for academic ineptitude that predates his attendance at the university – he is also losing out on the national publicity he so richly deserves.
