Undrafted in 2019, John Konchar is, four years later, solidly anchored in the rotation of the Grizzlies, seeded No. 2 in the Western Conference at the start of their series of the first round against the Lakers who already smell powder.
At 5 points, 4 rebounds on average, the former of the small college of Purdue Fort Worth is clearly not a weapon of mass destruction in attack. But, while in control and in address, with 48% of career shooting skill, Konchar has on the other hand all the profile of the X factor which can rock a match. Even more if affinities…
“It’s the water carrier!” », laughs his teammate Brandon Clarke. “That’s what I thought at first at least. And then, all of a sudden, he picked up his momentum and he dunked on a guy. And he just said: good luck! »
“He has the most unlikely jersey number: 46”
With his 1m96 and his 95kg all wet, Konchar obviously does not scare anyone physically. Especially not in the oversized world of the NBA.
Nevertheless, the boy knew how to make himself almost indispensable in Memphis for his fourth season in Tennessee. And for good reason, he is doing with his average 21 minutes this season, a career record.
“If you meet him in the street, even when you arrive at the gym, you wouldn’t think he’s an NBA player”outbids Tyus Jones on CBS Sports. “He wears Crocs all the time. His behavior on the pitch too, he doesn’t show a lot of emotions. He has the most unlikely jersey number: 46. All these little things that leave you a little perplexed. And then he’s going to tap dunk or chain five 3-point shots in a game. This guy knows how to play! »
The team player par excellence
Tall late (he was still only 1m72 in fourth grade), and subject to health problems in his teens, Konchar has long hovered under the radar. Leader, then rear, then slender or even skinny winger, he could not do bodybuilding in high school either. “I ate a lot of fruit [les jours de match], and that was about it! », recalls Konchar.
This did not prevent him from making cards with his West Chicago High School team, with 29 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and more than 2 blocks on average per game for his senior year! A basketball factory capable of a game with 49 points and 27 rebounds in particular. But without arousing more than that the interest of local universities, if not for Chicago State…
It was during his sophomore year at Purdue Fort Worth that Konchar began to really think about a career. During a overtime win over the Indiana Hoosiersthe winger played 45 minutes for 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, but he especially made a big impression with the throws of the win, but also a big counter on OG Anunoby who went to the dunk and finally a dunk left hand by- above Thomas Bryant.
Beneath his airs of a gym keeper, John Konchar is not one to joke: “Guys are targeting me, almost, like they don’t know who I am,” he smiles today, after having extended for three years to 19 million dollars last summer (and this after having initialed a contract of 9 million dollars over four years in 2020).
“He’s the ultimate team player,” concludes Coach Jenkins. “He can play 48 minutes if you need it, or play less depending. But his mentality never changes one iota. He’s a guy who will always try to make the right choice, action after action. »
His best outing of the season
| John Konchar | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 19 | 10 | 64.9 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 2.8 |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 43 | 13 | 50.0 | 37.5 | 83.3 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 4.3 |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 72 | 18 | 51.5 | 41.3 | 55.1 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 4.9 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 72 | 21 | 43.1 | 33.9 | 77.8 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 5.1 |
| Total | 206 | 17 | 48.3 | 37.4 | 69.2 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 4.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
