Remembering sharpshooter Jason Kapono's career

Jason Kapono is one of the most decorated UCLA players in history. He is third all-time in points, first in 3-point % and second in three point field goals. Doing so while playing in 127 games which ranks him 13th on the all time school list. Which is a phenomenal feat in an era that didn’t value the 3-point shot as much as today’s game does. He is an innovator that changed the way basketball could be played and spaced the floor better than anyone. This year he became a member of the UCLA Hall of Fame.

Kapono was a four time first-team All-Pac-10 member and the Pac-10 co-Freshman of the year in 2000. After his four-year run at UCLA concluded, he was selected at the beginning of the second round at number 31. Going to the Cleveland Cavaliers and playing two seasons for them. Kapono then was a part of the rare expansion draft selected by the Charlotte Bobcats to provide them with 3-point shooting.

The Bobcats who did not fare well at 18-64 that year, allowed his contract to expire. Then came his best time in the NBA, with the Miami Heat, where he was an NBA Champion and won the three-point contest. Shooting a blistering 51.4% from 3-point range in 2007 which is unheard of. He would go back-to-back in the three-point contest in 2008 as a member of the Toronto Raptors.

A few more seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers, concluded his career. Shooting 43.4% from 3-point range over his nine-year career. Often being near the top of the league in that category. It would be interesting to see how a player like Kapono would thrive in today’s long-distance shooting. A team would be lucky to have that type of spacing that could impact a game.