Rakim Chaney End‑of‑Season Evaluation: A Freshman Guard Already Driving Winning Basketball
Rakim Chaney’s freshman season may not jump off the page the way high-usage scorers do, but if you’re looking closely, the indicators of a long-term high-impact guard are all there.
From a responsibility standpoint, Rakim wasn’t eased in. He played nearly 70% of available minutes, started 31 of 33 games, and used just over 20% of team possessions—a real role, not a “survive the floor” freshman assignment. What’s important is how he used those possessions: efficiently, structurally, and with an understanding of team flow.
Efficiency with Real Volume
Rakim finished the season at:
- eFG%: 49.5
- TS%: 52.4
- ORtg: 106.8
For a freshman guard handling the ball as much as he did, those are solid returns. He wasn’t padding numbers on garbage-time looks or wide-open transition shots—he was operating within the offense, often against set defenses, and still staying on the right side of efficiency.
This matters because young guards who can already manage usage responsibly tend to make big jumps once their physical strength and confidence catch up, which doesn’t seem to be an issue for Rakim at this point.
The Shot That Changes Floor Spacing
The clearest translatable skill Rakim showed this year was perimeter shooting.
He attempted 164 threes and made 36.0% of them. That’s not small-sample fluff—that’s legitimate volume, and it forced defenses to respect him beyond the arc. Even when he wasn’t scoring, his presence bent coverage and made life easier for other creators.
More importantly, a large portion of his threes came:
- late in clock
- after ball movement
- with defenders closing hard
Which suggests this percentage is sustainable—or even improvable—as shot quality improves.
Playmaking: Subtle but Real
Rakim’s assist rate (20.9%) is an important number to highlight. He wasn’t just a shooter standing in the corner; he was actively involved in initiating offense, especially in secondary actions and early-clock situations.
His turnover rate (16.1%) is slightly elevated, but within reason for a freshman guard asked to dribble, pass, and shoot. Most importantly, the turnovers don’t come from recklessness—they come from learning to read pressure and help at game speed.
That’s a developmental issue, not a red flag.
Where the Next Jump Comes From: Rim Pressure
The area that separates Rakim from being “solid” to being dangerous is his ability to access the paint.
Despite strong shooting numbers, his free throw rate (23.8) is relatively low for a guard playing his minutes. He’s capable of getting by the first defender, but he doesn’t consistently force rotations once inside the arc.
That’s the next level:
- stronger finishes through contact
- more change-of-pace drives
- willingness to initiate contact instead of avoiding it
If he adds even moderate foul pressure to his current shooting profile, his efficiency takes a noticeable jump.
Defensive Engagement Shows Up in the Margins
Rakim won’t headline a defensive highlight reel, but the activity is real:
- Stl%: 2.9
- Good anticipation off the ball
- Active hands in passing lanes
He competes, stays engaged, and doesn’t shy away from assignments—important traits for a freshman guard getting major minutes. Increased strength, agility, and conditioning is likely to improve his on-ball defense significantly over time.
The Big Picture
Rakim’s freshman year profile checks a lot of long-term boxes:
- Can shoot at volume
- Handles real minutes without collapsing efficiency
- Understands offensive structure
- Willing defender
- Comfortable playing with and without the ball
What he doesn’t have yet—elite rim pressure and physical finishing—is also the most common gap for freshman guards. That’s encouraging, not concerning.
Why He’s a Big Piece Going Forward
Rakim doesn’t need to become a 25% usage player to be extremely valuable. In fact, his best version might be as a high-efficiency combo guard who:
- spaces the floor
- initiates secondary offense
- punishes closeouts
- keeps the ball moving
- hits open shots when it matters
If the driving game comes around—and often it does for guards with his skill baseline—he could leap to a whole new level.
pluuuuuuus.... He was visibly fighting through lower leg injury for a good portion of the calendar year=his explosiveness was diminshed. Get healthy and all your great points and Im expecting a real jump next year