Is A.J. Abrams an NBA Player?
In No. 8 Texas’ season-opener last night against Stetson, A.J. Abrams led the Longhorns to an easy 68-38 romping, thanks in part to the five three-pointers that he knocked down. After two seasons of hitting more than 115 three’s, Abrams decided to return to UT for his senior year after testing the waters of the Draft.
There’s no more Kevin Durant or D.J. Augustin to draw the spotlight away from Abrams, who is widely considered the premiere three-point shooter in this year’s crop of college talent. But there is one big problem. Even if Abrams continues to blow open Texas’ record books with another great season, he’s still 5-11.
I’m not sure that Michael Beasley’s point about height not mattering as much as “how tall you play” applies to guards, but it should in Abrams’ case. He elevates like Aaron Brooks on his J, and also has the benefit of a lightning-quick release.
While there’s an argument to be made for Abrams as a three-point specialist in the League, he could struggle to satisfy the bare minimum requirements as a defender, or even as a distributor.
Do you think A.J. Abrams is an NBA player?
November 15th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
ctkennedy says:
if salim stoudmarie gets cut and jj redick cant get no burn then no he short with no handles no vision cant guard a man in a wheelchair all he got is a jumpshot and he cant get that off by himself
November 15th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
JCARR says:
Abrams has always had a supporting cast around him, so its a tough call… Only time will tell.
Abrams could potentially be a player in the NBA similar to a Mike Conley or Lowry with a shoot. He wont be a household name, but can make an impact if given the opportunity.
November 15th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
JCARR says:
Oh yea similar to conley and lowry except for the assist category..
November 15th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
ryan rhodes says:
i hope so
November 15th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
stino27 says:
I think he’ll be a supporeting cast player, nothing more, nothing less.
Can somebody tell me the name of the shoes he’s wearing on the picture?
November 15th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Binky says:
A.J. Abrams if he makes it to the NBA will pan out to be a Daniel Gibson type player. A two guard in a point guard’s body who loves to shoot. Go Longhorns!!
November 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
rootsradical says:
the shoes are throwbacks from Nike. not sure of the name but they came out in 95-96 i believe.
November 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
len-e says:
aren’t they payton affiliated or some?
November 15th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
adam ivy says:
tough to tell until you throw him on a team where he isnt the main option… look at most nba teams and you already have scorers, where a key guy in college may not be a main part on an NBA team… but outside of a top 10 pick if i had a late first round pick i might take a shot on him… if you can hit a shot there should be a spot for you on a team..
November 15th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
webbie352 says:
nah they are either kidd or t.hardaway affiliated shoes.
November 15th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Bruce says:
Shoes — They are dubbed the Jason Kidd. You can buy them now at Fooklocker or Eastbay. They are pretty comfortable too.
November 15th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
Ben Gordon is an NBA player right?
November 15th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
JCARR says:
@miamiVIS3
are you for real?!?!?!?!?
The answer is yes.
November 15th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
@ JCARR
I was trying to make the point that if Ben Gordon is an NBA player than Abrams is too because they are both umdersized guys whse main asset is their shooting touch.
November 15th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Promoman says:
The shoes are Air Zoom Flights. Nike originally released them in 1996. They were for Jason Kidd when he on the Dallas Mavericks with Jamal Mashburn & Jim Jackson. They were called the 3 Js.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I know who is says:
No….but Anthony Morrow is
November 16th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
TJ says:
Ben Gordon is taller, more athletic, and was a better college scorer. Not really a good comparison.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
JCARR says:
@miamiVIS3
Just look at TJ’s comment (#17), he couldnt have said it any better. Ben Gordon is overrated.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
JCARR says:
and the bulls seem to think so too…
November 19th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
eddy says:
if hollis price, god shammgod,and ed cota cant be in the league…he definitely cant be in the league….
August 10th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
ck says:
Ben is a 2 guard trapped in a point guard’s body, AJ is a 2 guard trapped in an undersized point guard’s body. AJ has a great shot but he is one dimensional. There is no way he can guard an NBA level 2. He gets burned on D all the time, but at Texas he always had a big to help him out (Aldridge, Durant, Pittman, and to a lesser extent Buckman, Klotz, Atchley, Boddicker, Chapman, and Hill). Ben can at least pass. When AJ ran the point at Texas for one year it was an absolute disaster.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Simon Samuel says:
I’m a Texas Longhorn prospect myself, and I’m six foot. I bring a lot to the table when it comes to playing like a bigger man, but hey, who asked to be short or to be very tall. You have to use what the Lord gave ya. Im on the mission to play for the University of Texas myself, and I know A.J. and I have different abilities. He can shoot, he’s quick. Basically another guard to fit into any system when it comes to communication on the court. Now for me, I have more to bring. Shoot, pass, defend, a couple of rebounds. You have to have the heart for this game and my friend A.J. has all the heart for the game. Love you man. You take care.
Simon Samuel#10
Future Texas Longhorn Pointguard