By now, pretty much everyone is aware that Damian Lillard is the best player in the state. He is starting to garner national attention but is still flying under the radar compared to Jimmer Fredette last season.
Despite not gaining nearly as much attention as Brigham Young University’s Fredette, Lillard is by far the better player and will have a more successful career.
Last year, Fredette hijacked the national airwaves and became the poster boy for ESPN. But the truth of the matter is he wasn’t that good. That is being seen now that he is in the NBA.
Fredette’s most dangerous weapon was the three, but when you look at his numbers, his percentage isn’t amazing.
Lillard generally takes about five less shots in a game than Jimmer, and is a more efficient scorer. He is leading the nation in scoring, and has for most of the year.
Lillard also has a great talent of getting to the foul line. Once at the line, he is nearly automatic. He is one of the best foul shooters in the nation.
Lillard has scored 40 points or more twice this season. He’s the only player in the NCAA this season to score 40 points twice.
He also put up 36 points against a tough Saint Mary’s College team, and he did all of that with half the shots that Fredette normally would take.
Lillard’s shooting average is also higher than what Fredette’s was. Last season, “the Jimmer” shot 45 percent from the field and a not-overly-impressive 39 percent from beyond the arc.
This season, Lillard has a slight advantage in overall shooting percentage with a 46.6 percent average. But what is impressive is his shooting from 3-point line. Lillard has made nearly 46 percent of his 3-point shots.
Looking past shooting averages, Lillard is much quicker than Fredette. During games, there are multiple times that it looks like everyone on the court besides Lillard is stuck in slow motion.
I can’t even count how many times Lillard has blown past a defender this season. It looks like he’s playing against middle school kids.
Lillard is also a complete player, where Fredette only scored and played defense like it was an NBA All-Star game.
Lillard is a lock-down defender and has often frustrated opponents, including Utah State University star Brockeith Pane.
Fredette has struggled so far in the NBA, even drawing comparisons to Adam Morrison, who was a star in college, then fizzled once drafted.
This season for the Sacramento Kings, Fredette’s shooting around 38 percent from the field and has only averaged eight points a game for the Kings.
We can’t really compare stats here since Lillard isn’t in the NBA, and the level of play is harder, but I feel that he will have a more successful career.
Lillard is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. Out of high school, Lillard was only a two-star recruit. He came here with a chip on his shoulder and has become one of the best point guards in the NCAA.
When Weber State University loses a game, Lillard tends to destroy the next opponent. He has a desire that will help him be successful in the NBA.
I have never seen anyone with as much drive and commitment as Lillard has. When he goes to the NBA, he will succeed. He’ll make it happen.
When WSU played BYU earlier this season, BYU fans directed chants of “You’re not Jimmer,” at Lillard. You’re right Cougar fans, he’s not Jimmer. He’s better.
