Chris Wright

Chris Wright

Chris Wright was told by a doctor to retire from the game 15 months ago due to a diagnosis of MS found during an ankle examination. Twelve months on and he was in the NBA with the Mavericks on a 10-day contract. Decent comeback.

To make it back again, or to stick, will require either luck, a strong stretch of stand-out play, or the development of one particular skill. Or, more than likely, some combination thereof. There's a lot to like about Wright, who has few flaws, but it's hard to assign him a role in the NBA, and that's all too often a requirement of anyone not deemed to have great upside. Having MS does not equate to having great upside, unfortunately.

The Hoyas enter the tournament having lost five of their last 6 games, their only win coming over Big East minnows South Florida. Before that stretch came an eight game win streak, including victories over Louisville and Syracuse. This is due in no small part to Chris Wright's broken hand. Wright, a future D-League all-star, is a very good defensive point guard; quick, big and athletic, with decent hands and a good effort level. He can also get to the basket, is a good drop-off passer, and has an improved three point jumpshot, albeit with almost no mid-range game.

[...]

Georgetown will only get anywhere significant if they have Chris Wright playing. It is not so much to do with Wright's own abilities; it is more to do with what he brings that they can't get elsewhere. Freeman has become one of the best shooters in the country, but he's not particularly good at getting his own shot. Clark does even less of it. Lubick and Sims are both good passers for big men, but someone has to get them the ball first. Backup guard Vee Sanford can be a spark off the bench on both ends of the court, yet the only shots he creates are his own. This is where Wright's necessaryivitiness becomes manifest. Georgetown have improved on their depth from last season and can be realistically expected to go as much as ten deep on most nights, but they only have one Chris Wright. They only have one dominant ball handler, half-court creator, on-ball leader and dynamic influence on both ends of the floor. If Austin Freeman has to do it all, he's going to shoot 5-17, and the Hoyas are going to suffer a first round defeat. With Wright in place, though, they're a Sweet 16 calibre team.