For each of our returning players I have put together a “End‑of‑Season Evaluation”. Since we have 4 players returning as of today, I know I will be drafting at least four of these. Starting with JT, this is my evaluation from last year with some opinions on what the offseason improvement focus could look like. What does everyone else see from the past seasons performance and development strategies moving through this summer?
JT Pettigrew End‑of‑Season Evaluation: Context Matters More Than the Percentages
JT didn’t just “play minutes” this year — he was asked to be a true offensive hub from day one. He logged nearly 70% of available minutes, started 31 of 33 games, and used 27% of team possessions, which is primary-option territory even for upperclassmen. Doing that as a freshman, at his size, while constantly drawing defensive attention is a massive workload that matters when interpreting efficiency.
Offensive Responsibility vs. Efficiency
On paper, the efficiency isn’t pretty:
- Effective FG%: 41.2
- True Shooting%: 49.3
- 2PT%: 41.0
- 3PT%: 28.0
But here’s the critical piece: very few of JT’s touches were advantage touches. He wasn’t eating off kick-aheads, broken plays, or wide-open jumpers. Most of his offense came against set defenses where the ball stopped with him and he was expected to create something — often late in the clock.
As a freshman, that matters.
The Trait That Changes Everything: Foul Pressure
If you’re looking for the foundation of a future high-level scorer, it’s not three-point percentage — it’s foul generation.
JT attempted 187 free throws, shot 74.3%, and posted a FTRate of 58.6, which is elite for a power forward. He consistently got downhill, initiated contact, and forced defenders to make decisions.
That’s not accidental. That’s a real offensive trait.
Even during nights when shots weren’t falling, JT had ways to score that didn’t rely on face up jump shots — and that keeps an offense afloat when things get stagnant.
Why the 2PT% Is Lower Than You’d Want
The 41% finishing number jumps out, especially for a 6’8”, 220‑pound player. Watching throughout the season and alongside the data, a few things stand out:
- He’s often finishing through bodies instead of around them, relying on strength over angles.
- His gathering point is sometimes predictable, leading to strips but more so heavy contests.
- When he beats the first defender, he doesn’t always counter the help — he tries to force it.
The encouraging part? These are very fixable issues. Angle finishes, counter moves, balance through contact, and earlier reads all lead to efficiency gains. This isn’t a talent problem — it’s a reps-and-polish problem.
The Three-Point Shot
Yes, 28% from three isn’t where it needs to be. But the volume (75 attempts) isn’t outrageous, and many of those threes were:
- Late-clock
- Taken with defenders already sagging
- I can see his 3pt shooting becoming an asset as it improves
Playmaking & Turnovers: Better Than It Looks
For someone using 27% of possessions, JT’s turnover rate (14.9) is actually reasonable. It’s not spectacular, but it’s not crippling either.
He also posted an assist rate near 14%, which suggests he can find teammates — the next step is consistency in identifying help earlier. As he improves the timing of those reads, his efficiency and assist numbers should rise together.
Rebounding & Physical Impact
One thing that gets overlooked: JT rebounds like someone who wants to win, not just score.
- OR%: 9.8
- DR%: 18.5
That’s excellent for a high-usage offensive player and speaks to motor, physicality, and engagement.
Defense: Quietly Solid for His Role
He’s not a defensive stopper yet, but:
- 1.8% block rate
- 1.9% steal rate
Those are solid numbers given how much offensive energy he expended. The biggest step defensively will come as the game slows down for him and conditioning improves — you can already see the tools.
Where the Real Leap Happens
The path forward is refining and developing efficiency.
If JT:
- Improves finishing efficiency at the rim
- Becomes more selective with midrange attempts
- Converts catch-and-shoot threes at a respectable clip
- Makes quicker reads against help
Then suddenly you’re not looking at a 49% TS guy — you’re looking at a mid‑50s TS primary scorer, which is a completely different evaluation tier.
Final Thought
JT Pettigrew already possesses the hardest things to teach:
- Willingness to take responsibility
- Ability to draw fouls
- Physicality
- Competitive load-bearing as a underclassman
The efficiency will come.
Curious what others think:
