The RoundHouse | 8/9/2024 9:52:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Harlond Beverly possesses quick feet, imaginative moves and a knack for driving past defenders to get to the rim.
 
Imagine what he can do if he makes more jump shots.
 
"Whenever someone says you can't do something, or there's a knock on you, you want to eliminate all those doubts," he said. "I'm really focused on improving that aspect."
 
Beverly, a 6-foot-5 senior guard, spent the summer refining his shooting form and expanding his range. He made 25.8 percent of his three-pointers last season, and that performance drove his workouts. He, like many Shockers, played well late in the season and showed the potential for more consistent scoring.

Over the final six games, he made 8 of 18 threes. In that stretch he averaged 15 points and shot 51 percent from two-point range. Against Memphis in the American Athletic Conference tournament, he totaled 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, six rebounds, five blocks, five steals and three assists.
 
"He understands the threat that (three-point shooting) makes him if he's a much more respectable shooter," Wichita State coach Paul Mills said. "It's been evident in the summer that he put a lot of time into it. I think it will translate as the year approaches."
 
In addition to scheduled practices over the summer, Beverly regularly worked on shooting and other skills in an early morning session. His progress started last spring. Mills said within a month after the season ended people told him Beverly's jumper had improved.
 
"I'm making a lot more shots and feeling really comfortable," Beverly said. "I'm still trying to make it become a habit, so I don't want to say it's fully changed."
 
 

GET UP 😤 @Harlond20 #AmericanHoops x @GoShockersMBB pic.twitter.com/ZI98pjSxom

— The American (@American_Conf) March 15, 2024

Mills describes Beverly moved his shooting form more in the middle of his body.
 
"He was more of a side-line shooter," Mills said. "Usually, shooters are more mid-line than they are side-line. He's made himself more of a mid-line shooter."
 
Mills designs his offense to create space for players. Last season's team lacked shooting, which hampered its ability to stretch defenses and open driving lanes. Beverly, despite his shooting problems, used his speed and crafty moves to average 11.2 points. He led the Shockers with 102 assists.
 
If he becomes a threat that defenses must guard more closely on the perimeter, the Shocker offense benefits tremendously. He can dribble past oncoming defenders and then use his size and vision to find open teammates or drive to the basket.
 
"There just aren't many players like him who have that big of an advantage with their first step," Mills said. "If you can shoot a shot, because somebody is in a particular coverage or a particular closeout, it makes you that much more dangerous, given your athletic ability."
 
Beverly's athletic ability and driving skills aren't questioned. Those advantages grow significantly if revamping his jump shot is successful.
 
 

Well, if you're going to leave him THAT wide open...@Harlond20 | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Zo0VUQcT2v

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) March 3, 2024

 

Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.