Meet the Seahawks: Previewing the Point Guards

Phillips, Gadsden will benefit from new system

From chaos comes clarity, and after a rocky ending to 2019, it’s crystal clear that UNCW is set at the point guard position for years to come.

It’s a stark contrast from late December, when starter Kai Toews announced his decision to pursue a professional career in Japan while Ty Gadsden was still nursing an injury that caused him to miss 15 of the Seahawks’ first 16 games.

Shykeim Phillips had shown some promise in the first month of his collegiate career, even finding his way into the starting lineup, but suddenly, UNCW was his team.

Not only did Phillips manage the job as the primary ballhandler, but there’s a case to be made that he was the Seahawks’ best player over the second half of the season.

This season, UNCW figures to start the season with three players capable of running the offense in Phillips, Gadsden and Ja’Juan Carr, a freshman from just up the road in Burgaw.

Here’s what to know about the Seahawk point guards, who are likely to play together at times:

Shykeim Phillips | 6-2 | 170 | Sophomore

2019-20: 25.8 minutes, 9.5 points, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 45.9% FG

As the season wore on, Phillips got more comfortable as a floor general and adjusting his game to help the Seahawks, raising his scoring average to 10.2 points in February after averaging 9.6 in January, and he did it while slightly scaling back his shooting, making 4.1 of 8.8 field goal attempts vs. 4.2 buckets on 9 attempts in January.

The biggest difference came as a playmaker, where Phillips averaged 3.1 assists to 1.5 turnovers in February after a negative assist/turnover average of two assists to 2.75 assists in January. His changed approach was apparent in how he attacked the basket, making 14 of 18 free throws in seven February games after attempting just eight free throws, making four, in eight January games.

The only glaring hole in Phillips’ game as a freshman was from beyond the arc, where he hit only 4 of 12 3-point attempts. Defenders will certainly come into the season allowing Phillips to shoot, and if he’s gotten more comfortable on the perimeter, his game will take a massive step forward.

Regardless, expect Phillips to contend for All-CAA honors.

Ty Gadsden | 6-1 | 165 | Senior

2019-20: 26.8 minutes, 10.6 points, 1.4 steals, 34.5% 3-pointers.

A senior capable of playing on or off the ball, Gadsden simply makes UNCW better.

Over his two seasons in Wilmington, the Seahawks are 14-31 (.311) with him in the lineup vs. Division I competition, but 2-14 (.125) without him.

Luckily for Gadsden, he stands to benefit from Coach Takayo Siddle’s system, which will allow him to maximize his skills as an on-ball defender for 94 feet, while also giving him a green-light from long range. Although Gadsden was third on the UNCW roster with 84 3-point attempts (in just 17 games), over 56 percent of his field goal attempts came from beyond the arc.

Gadsden stands to benefit from Phillips’ emergence as a playmaker, allowing him to work off the ball for open looks, while he’ll also see a bigger share of transition 3-point attempts.

The box score won’t always do justice to exactly what Gadsden’s defense and floor spacing bring to the game for UNCW.

Ja’Juan Carr | 6-2 | 180 | Freshman

Carr, Siddle’s first recruit as the head man at UNCW, fits right into the mold of Phillips — a skilled offensive player from a winning high school program who does the majority of his damage in getting to the basket.

According to the Star-News, Carr averaged 20 points, seven rebound and seven assists last season as Pender advanced to the second round of the state playoffs. In all, Carr led the Patriots to a 38-16 record over the past two seasons, including a dominant 25-3 mark in conference play.

Physically, the well-built Carr is ahead of most incoming freshmen point guards you see in the CAA and his frame suggests he’ll easily add more muscle. Based on his available highlight tape, Carr is a natural passer who is more than willing to set up his teammates with flair.

His finishing skills around the basket are more predicated on skill and crafty moves rather than athleticism, and like most freshmen, his defensive improvement will dictate his playing time.