The scenario was however on track to be perfect: after showing good progress during his first two NCAA seasons with Houston (from 8.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists to 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists), Marcus Sasserat the time of starting his “junior” exercise (2021/22), was ready to cross a course and impose himself for good on the radars of the 2022 Draft, and even of a possible selection in the first round.
After a month and a half into the 2021/22 season, the Cougars point guard effectively confirmed this consistent “step-up” with averages of 17.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game in the center of his game. crew. Until a terrible disappointment on December 24, when a foot injury sounded the brutal end of his “junior” season, and broke his ascent in full swing in the pre-Draft projections.
Recovered from his injury in time for the Draft Combine 2022, but clearly lacking physical bearings after an unavailability of almost six months, Marcus Sasser, faced with the increasingly real possibility of not being drafted, opted then for Wisdom’s Choice and was returning to college for a fourth and final season. A year later, after this very high caliber “junior” season (16.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals), here is the Dallas native back in the pre-Draft process, this time rid of physical glitches and therefore much more confident about his chances of being drafted.
” I knew what to expect [cette année], I was well prepared. It wasn’t a surprise like it might have been last year“, he confessed. ” I’m much more confident this year, it’s less scary than last year. I was just excited to come back, to chat with everyone. »
A beneficial “senior” season
More confident this year because he is more relaxed, Marcus Sasser also considers he has a better chance of showing himself in his best light because he considers himself better, in terms of basketball, than a year ago.
” I definitely feel like a better player than last year. I came back to college and I could play a whole season “, he added, when he had actually only played 12 games in 2021/22, before getting injured and starting a long period of recovery. ” Last year, I left the infirmary and went straight to the Combine, without transition. This year, it was much simpler. »
At the Draft Combine last week, Marcus Sasser displayed his great qualities as an attacker, particularly in terms of the accuracy of his outside shot, he who was still shooting at 43.7% from behind the arc (on 8.6 shots /match!) during his shortened “junior” season.
Houston’s Marcus Sasser showed off his shot-making and scoring instincts at the Priority Sports Pro Day at the NBA draft combine in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/MN4GXjBltw
—Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 19, 2023
Among the oldest (and therefore experienced) players of the 2023 vintage after four university seasons, the leader therefore now projects himself with confidence on the 2023 Draft. Ranked in 35th position on the ESPN “board”, he should be chosen in this zone, even if a selection at the end of the first round is quite possible.
” To me it doesn’t matter he concludes, referring to his age (23 in September). ” Everyone has a different story. Some need to stay several years in college, others leave very quickly. I don’t think a player’s rating should be defined by age. »
