This post will be the first of a recurring series that takes a look at shot charts and selection for some of the most notable shooters in the country.
Hollis Thompson of Georgetown is currently sixth in the nation in three point percentage at 49.4%. The Hoyas however, in averaging an adjusted tempo under 65 (64.8 to be precise), play at a much slow pace than the teams of the five shooters ahead of him (e.g., Kim English of Missouri). Without reviewing every shot, that should be a reasonable indication that Thompson is not getting the benefit of transition threes. His shots largely come within the framework of John Thompson III’s patience Georgetown offense. Yet Thompson has a robust ORtg of 121 while taking nearly a quarter of the Hoyas’ shots while on the floor, including 34% of GU’s 3FGs.
The graphic below is Hollis Thompsons’ shot chart-every shot in every game, excluding free throws-from the conference season to date. (Circles mark made shots, Xs mark misses.)
The attempts are clearly slanted to the right side of the floor, culminating in the deep right wing, where Thompson hasn’t missed. With the exception of one small zone just right of the elbow and beyond the arc however, Thompson’s success rate is higher on the left wing, 8-13 3FG.
Now let’s look at only the Hoyas’ conference losses.
The shots are almost entirely directed towards the right wing. In the losses, Hollis Thompson averaged only slightly fewer than his season average of 4.3 3FG per game. His attempts were confined to the right side (8 of 10), including three misses wide right of his perceived comfort spot. Both charts also so a struggle with the mid-range jumper.
The Hoyas’ methodical style of play depends on making shots in the halfcourt game and Hollis Thompson is a key weapon. Those halfcourt sets need to be run with precision in order to find floor balance and get shooters like Thompson the ball in their most successful spots.
