For programs like High Point that have had some struggles this season and are looking for positives, one has to look at the early building blocks head coach Tubby Smith has with freshman guard John-Michael Wright.
Coming and staying in North Carolina, Wright has blown past expectations set for him at High Point. He leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and steals at 15.3ppg, 5.0rpg, and 0.9spg while ranking second in assists per game at 1.9apg.
He is shooting 42.1 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from three for the season. Those percentages have only increased in Big South play, shooting nearly 48 percent from the floor and 43 percent from three in conference play.
The accolades continue to pile on as well for Wright this season.
In only 22 games, Wright has already secured Big South Freshman of the Week four times, has scored in double-digits 17 times this season, and scored a career-high 31 points and knocking down seven 3-pointers vs. Gardner-Webb.
With his success early on, he has only proven how much of a winner he is. From his time being a state champion at Fayetteville Academy until now, Wright continues to show doubters and is now setting up High Point for a bright future under Coach Smith.
In high school, Wright's ability to use his speed/explosiveness as a guard, change directions, and be a tenacious on-ball defender created havoc for opponents and he is doing much of the same at the next level.
The hard work and patience from Wright have really paid off and it seems that High Point may have secured a steal that many looked over; a guard that can be a key figure piece for the future.
As Coach Smith told to the Fayetteville Observer (Link) after his performance vs. Gardner-Webb, 'he's a very serious-minded young man ' committed and dedicated. One of the most coachable young men I've ever coached.'
He has shown all that and much more in what has been a fantastic freshman campaign already.