STrib: Gophers' Amir Coffey fully cleared and ready for more ball-handling duties

BleedGopher

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per Marcus:

Amir Coffey is good to go. That’s arguably the most important step so far this offseason toward helping the Gophers bounce back in Year 6 under Richard Pitino.

The 6-foot-8 junior guard learned from doctors last week that he was fully cleared for all basketball related activities, according to sources.

What makes Coffey an intriguing NBA prospect is his versatility at 6-8. He can knock down shots beyond the arc, score off the dribble and turn steals into dunks on the fastbreak. But he can also grab a rebound and immediately take the ball down court to find open teammates or finish himself -- like a lead guard.

Most of his numbers increased from his freshman to sophomore year, but surprisingly Coffey made the most impact as a facilitator playing primarly at small forward. His 3.3 assists per game ranked second on the team to Mason’s 4.2. The Gophers were 10-0 last season when Coffey had three assists or more in a game.

That could be a glimpse into how Coffey will be used by Pitino this season. In a pick-and-roll heavy offense, the Gophers will need arguably their best returning passer to be a primary ball handler. Coffey’s vision and size to see over defenses becames a major advantage.

In limited practice reps at the end of July, Coffey spent time at the point guard spot with sophomore Isaiah Washington playing off the ball. This might indicate seeing Coffey this season with the ball in his hands a lot more than in his first two years, especially compared to last season.

http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...eady-for-more-ball-handling-duties/491904121/

Go Gophers!!
 

Hopefully he learned to dribble with his off hand.
 

per Marcus:

Amir Coffey is good to go. That’s arguably the most important step so far this offseason toward helping the Gophers bounce back in Year 6 under Richard Pitino.

The 6-foot-8 junior guard learned from doctors last week that he was fully cleared for all basketball related activities, according to sources.

What makes Coffey an intriguing NBA prospect is his versatility at 6-8. He can knock down shots beyond the arc, score off the dribble and turn steals into dunks on the fastbreak. But he can also grab a rebound and immediately take the ball down court to find open teammates or finish himself -- like a lead guard.

Most of his numbers increased from his freshman to sophomore year, but surprisingly Coffey made the most impact as a facilitator playing primarly at small forward. His 3.3 assists per game ranked second on the team to Mason’s 4.2. The Gophers were 10-0 last season when Coffey had three assists or more in a game.

That could be a glimpse into how Coffey will be used by Pitino this season. In a pick-and-roll heavy offense, the Gophers will need arguably their best returning passer to be a primary ball handler. Coffey’s vision and size to see over defenses becames a major advantage.

In limited practice reps at the end of July, Coffey spent time at the point guard spot with sophomore Isaiah Washington playing off the ball. This might indicate seeing Coffey this season with the ball in his hands a lot more than in his first two years, especially compared to last season.

http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...eady-for-more-ball-handling-duties/491904121/

Go Gophers!!

There is no doubt Coffey is good with the ball and against certain defenses and matchups he will be valuable in a ball handling role, but (just a guess) also a factor was keeping him and Dad happy in the off season.

#2 IW is our best passer off penetration hands down imo, but he needs teammates who can catch and finish quickly if it's going to result in an assist. This year to start the season he'll have that.
 





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