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Backcourt
Entering the 2015-16 season, the most experienced part of the Husker lineup is the backcourt with senior Benny Parker and junior Tai Webster. Parker has played in all 96 games over the past three seasons, while Webster has 34 career starts and made 62 appearances over the last two years. Nebraska welcomes a host of newcomers, including freshmen Glynn Watson Jr., Bakari Evelyn and Johnny Trueblood as well as transfers Anton Gill and Malcolm Laws.
One of two starters back for the Huskers, Parker has been one of the Big Ten’s best backcourt defenders over his career. The 5-foot-9 senior led NU and ranked eighth in the Big Ten with 1.5 steals per game, and anchors the top of NU’s defensive attack with his on-ball defense. Parker is also a steady ball-handler who had nearly a 1.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio as a junior and has averaged less than one turnover per game during his three seasons at Nebraska. Parker has worked to become more of a scoring threat, raising his average per game from 2.4 points as a sophomore to 4.2 points in 2014-15. Parker’s leadership from the point guard spot will be essential for the Huskers this season.
“Benny has, in his own quiet way, helped nurture Glynn and Bakari with their decision-making and with what it takes to play defense at this level.” Miles said. “Benny is a high-level defender, and the biggest travesty in the Big Ten over my three years is that he has never been on the all-defensive team. He has the rare ability to change the game at the defensive end of the court.”
One of the most intriguing players on the Husker roster, Webster enters his junior year looking to continue an upward trend that started near the end of last season. The 6-foot-4, 196-pounder found his niche as the first guard off the bench and provided solid play on both ends of the court. Webster, who averaged 3.9 points per game, improved as a shooter as the year progressed, hitting 35 percent from long range over his final 13 contests. Webster had three games in double figures and led NU in assists on five occasions. He continued the progress in Spain, averaging 11.8 points and 1.8 steals per game. Webster enters his junior year in the best shape of his career and the coaching staff believes he is just starting to tap his potential.
“I think Tai is going to have his best season,” Miles said. “It took him a while to adjust to the Big Ten from the international game, and I believe it is a bigger jump for perimeter players. You could start to see him getting more comfortable late last season and it carried over to our trip to Spain. Tai has become a very good defender because of his combination of quickness, athleticism and strength, and I am excited to see his continued development.”
Laws saw limited duty after walking on to the Florida Atlantic team in 2014-15, playing in four games. Laws has been around successful teams for most of his playing career, as he was a part of three state title teams in high school. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is a hard worker and will provide depth in the backcourt.
“Malcolm has a great competitive spirit,” Miles said. “He has a good attitude and wants to get on the floor and make his teammates better. That is what you want from a good teammate, and Malcolm embodies that.”
Watson is a natural point guard who was one of the top recruits in the class of 2015. The 6-foot guard led Saint Joseph High School to a state title in Illinois last season, averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game on his way to first-team all-state honors. Watson was his best in the state tournament, averaging 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as the school won its first state crown since 1999.
“Glynn is a real playmaker at the guard spot,” Miles said. “He is a lead guard who uses screen-and-roll really well, can score and is creative enough to find others. As he gets stronger, that will only help him to develop, especially on the defensive end. In time, Glynn is really going to be a very, very good player in the Big Ten.”
Evelyn is another freshman who has a chance to make an early impact in the backcourt. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has the size and ability to play either spot in the backcourt. As a senior, he averaged 25.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game at Hillcrest (Ariz.) Academy. Prior to moving to Arizona, Evelyn led Southfield (Mich.) Christian, helping the school to a 73-7 record and three straight Class D state titles. He was slowed early on by bone spurs, but was able to return to action for the Huskers’ trip to Spain.
“Bakari was slowed in the summer with the ankle injury, but has the ability to play either backcourt spot,” Miles said. “He shoots the ball really well, can also drive and attack and can finish with both hands. For him as well as most freshmen, the biggest adjustment will be on the defensive end. How quickly he picks up the intensity and the schemes will determine how much of a role Bakari will have this season.”
Gill comes to Nebraska after spending the past two years at Louisville. A former top-50 recruit, Gill played in 55 games for the Cardinals over the last two years, helping the school to an Elite Eight appearance last year. As a sophomore, Gill came off the bench for Louisville and averaged 2.5 points, including three double-digit efforts. He also had seven points, including the go-ahead basket and a pair of steals in the Cardinals’ Sweet 16 win over NC State. The 6-foot-3 guard has the potential to be an explosive scorer and will have two years of eligibility beginning in 2016-17.
“This is an important year for Anton because he can focus on his development,” Miles said. “We can work on improving his ball-handling, getting his shot to a higher release and to a point where he is confident in it. Anton has proven he can put up good numbers in some huge games, and I think he can do that on a regular basis for us.”
Trueblood makes the short trek from Omaha to join the Husker program. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard starred at Elkhorn South High School, leading the school to its first state title in 2015. As a senior, Trueblood led Class B in scoring with 23.0 points per game, while also adding 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.8 steals per outing to all-state honors. Trueblood, who missed part of the summer workouts with an illness, has impressed the coaching staff in early workouts.
“As Johnny has returned to health, he has played well in practice,” Miles said. “He has the ability to create for others and can make open shots. As he gets stronger, he is a guy who could potentially find his way into the rotation.”