Xavier Booker's improved 3-point shot

Xavier Booker has not been known for having a 3-point shot in his college career. But in his nine games with the Bruins, he is showing that he has improved that part of his game. As he is shooting 50% from long distance on 14 shot attempts. It is not a heavy volume, but he is shooting it with confidence and doesn’t look hesitant as he has in most cases. Booker is not a back to the basket type of center and probably never will be. So, improving this area of his game has a positive identity on who he can become as a player.

Stretch 5’s are everywhere now. Back in the 2000’s and up to the mid 2010’s it was very rare that your center could shoot 3-pointers. Now with the way the game has changed, it’s almost shocking if your center doesn’t have range. Let’s face it, 3-pointers are the route that many teams take now. Mid-range jumpers seem to be a thing of the past. It’s a calculated game. Why shoot a 20-footer for two points when you can step back just three feet and make one for three points.

Booker, who spent his first two seasons at Michigan State shot 3-pointers. But he didn’t do so at a very good rate. He was only 33-121, which was well below average at 27.3%. So, his first few games when he shot and missed a few, you were questioning why he was still resorting to it. It is an integral part of UCLA’s offense. They will not beat many teams in the paint. So, they will go with the famous saying of “live by the jumper, die by the jumper”. With pick and rolls and dump offs for easy dunks.

This will be interesting to see if Booker can keep this up. It’s a long season and a small sample size. His attempts will grow and hopefully the makes keep up with it. The Big Ten will be a grind. Booker was one of their big transfer additions. His length and athleticism will continue to be a big part of UCLA’s identity. The 3-point revelation is just a new added bonus for them.