So over the next few days I’m going to profile who I view as the key young players for the Cavalier Basketball team looking forward. As we all know this season has pretty much been a wash record-wise but if you can take anything away from it it is the fact that these players have immerged as the core of what should be a vastly improved team next season and for seasons to come.
Sylven Landesberg 6’ 6” 205lbs
Small Forward
Queens, New York
Sylven Landesberg is having one of the finest freshmen seasons of anyone in the country. His dynamic scoring ability has lead to his ascension to the number one option for the UVA offensive attack. Landesberg has won ACC rookie of the week 6 times this year, which will probably increase to 7 as Landesberg lead UVA to its second consecutive win, scoring 19 points to lead the Hoos over Virginia Tech last Wednesday. Landesberg averages 18 points to lead the team and has been the top scorer in 15 of the Hoos 22 games played this season. But the freshman is not just a prolific scorer. Landesberg ranks third on the team in steals with 22, second in rebounds with 6 per game, and second in assists with 61. Averaging an astonishing 35.8 minutes per 40 minute game Landesberg ranks 4th among ACC players in minutes played, including 45 of 45 minutes during the overtime win over Clemson last Sunday. Landesberg is also among the top 10 in free throw attempts with 146.
Landesberg’s dynamic scoring ability will be key to the Cavs success moving forward. His almost constant attacking style puts an immense amount of pressure on opposing defenses and inevitably gets those teams into foul trouble with his ability to drive and get to the line. With all the focus on Landesberg the offense opens up for players like Jeff Jones and Mike Scott, who I will profile later in the week, to shine. As his outside shot improves as time goes on Landesberg will add another weapon to his arsenal of offensive attacks which will only help him and the team as a whole improve.
The most impressive thing to me however is the leadership and performance in the clutch that Landesberg has exhibited almost all season. It was evident in the Clemson game especially but seeing Landesberg take the game over at the end of regulation and in overtime shows me that even at such a young age Landesberg is ready to assume the pressure of being the best player on this team and the focus of every opponents game plan and not only be able to handle it, but to thrive under it. If you’ve never seen Landesberg play I suggest you start paying attention because he, as well as the rest of this team, has a chance to become one of the best in the ACC.
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