Wright Discovers Game at Spiece
The Julian Wright that everyone expected to see all April long finally showed up on the AAU circuit. But it was the second day of May. The 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward was amazing on the final day of the Spiece Run N Slam in Fort Wayne, Ind. While there, the No. 12 player in the class of 2005 gave us the update on his recruitment.
Wright had a slow start at the Spiece, struggling to find his shot and looked lost in the Illinois Warriors’ offense. The same could be said about his performance at the Boo Williams and the Kingwood Classic. But something happened last something. Wright came alive.
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“I’ve slept on things lately,” Wright said. “I’ve tried to really improve offensively. I’m comfortable now shooting it. Because we don’t have a lot of size, I usually get the other team’s big man. I can take him out (to the perimeter) and try to do some things. Now whenever I have a good shot, I try to take it now.”
Wright played the part of the prototypical small forward. He was knocking down mid-range jumpers. He attacked the basket with confidence. He rebounded with a purpose. Perhaps his struggles were a product of an unknown position in high school.
“I’ve been playing out of position for the last couple years actually,” Wright said. “When I first got to high school I played the post. Then last year I moved to the point. Now that I’m getting ready for college, we are going to try me more on the wing.”
Wright said he’s looking forward to going to the Nike All-American camp, USA Youth Festival in Colorado Springs and a skills camp in Portland, Ore., just to prove his game is worthy of a high accolade. High majors love his game.
“Illinois, Arizona, DePaul and Indiana came out (during the live period),” Wright said. “Kansas couldn’t make it out. Duke is interested but they are starting to show a little more interest. They are doing a lot of talking. I’m just feeling everybody out. I’ll start taking visits in the fall. DePaul is close. Illinois is close. I can make those probably in June. The other ones will be later.
“No one is really ahead. When I take the visits, I’ll talk to my parents, I’ll have a better idea of what I’m looking at.”