Onuaku Shooting Free Throws Underhanded

[shadow force]

Good for him. If it improves his FT percentage then I hope he keeps doing it during the UofL season.

One of the things that the 6-foot-9 Onuaku has been focusing on this offseason is his free throw shooting. Onuaku, who averaged 3.0 points and 4.6 boards playing behind Montrezl Harrell last season, shot just 46.7 percent from the charity stripe a year ago. His plan to get better this offseason: learning to shoot granny-style.

Toward the end of the season – prior to the NCAA Tournament – the Cardinals’ coach, Rick Pitino, showed Onauku a video of NBA hall of famer Rick Barry. Barry, who lives in Colorado Springs, made nearly 90 percent of his free throws in his professional career while shooting underhanded.

“He’s sacrificing the way it looks for the result,” U19 coach Sean Miller said of Onauku. “It says a lot about him.”

Though he began practicing the form before his freshman season ended, Onauku didn’t use the underhand style in a Louisville game. […] While he doesn’t know what percentage he’s shooting underhanded, Onauku said it’s an improvement from how often he scored overhand.

I’m not sure anyone cares how Onuaku shoots his free throws as long as they’re going in.

Except for opposing fans. He’ll hear quite a bit from them.

Onuaku isn’t the first college player to try this. Canyon Berry, Rick’s son who plays for the College of Charleston, shoots his free throws underhanded as well.

 

[rentalman]

Hope he masters this. The thing that's encouraging to me is he obviously realizes this is a weakness in his game. I love when guys work on their weaknesses.

 

[Cue Card]

I don't care if he shoots them backwards as long as he improves his percentage. Works for me!

 

[OneEarWonder]

I always wonder why more don't do it. I know there is stigma attached, but points are points.
http://discovermagazine.com/2008/the-body/07-physics-proves-it-everyone-should-shoot-granny-style

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

It is probably a very bad idea to shoot them underhanded.

 

[shadow force]

It is probably a very bad idea to shoot them underhanded.

You mean because of the flak he will get from opposing team fans?

 

[J-Rye_UL]

shooting underhand free throws = swag

only the most confident players would even attempt something that humiliating

 

[OneEarWonder]

It is probably a very bad idea to shoot them underhanded.

Why?

shooting underhand free throws = swag

only the most confident players would even attempt something that humiliating

Success goes a long way to building confidence...

 

[SoulSr]

Rick Barry was the only player to lead the NCAA, NBA & ABA in scoring. The man could shoot anywhere. He chose to shoot the underhand free-throw to gain attention. I bet he could have shot in the 90% with his overhead stroke. I seen the man play many years when I lived in Oakland, Cal.

That said, I don't see how the change will help Onuaku. Remember Shaq. I would prefer he shoot the same overhead shot he would take from field over and over from the free-throw line.

 

[Cardiotonic]

Overhead, underhand whatever works for him !!

 

[shadow force]

Here's a video:

 

[OneEarWonder]

Yeah! He made it... that's all that counts. Looking "cool" and missing ain't too cool. ;-)

 

[zipp]

Just checked the FIBA site... And thru 5 games, our guy is hitting 50% of his FTs.

That's a few % points better. But so far, it appears he's mostly missing FTs with a different stroke.

One thing I like more in the limited videos I've seen is that Onuaku looks like he's dropped about 20 lbs. Reshaping his body...

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

One thing I like more in the limited videos I've seen is that Onuaku looks like he's dropped about 20 lbs.

Sounds good. Means he's showing some dedication.