Season Preview: Javan Felix

Javan Felix (5’11” 190lbs, #3 Guard)

Highlights of Javan Felix:

Outlook:

After a season of on-the-job training as a freshman, Javan Felix was supposed to come into his sophomore year as a more polished player and a key starter for the Longhorns. Then Isaiah Taylor happened.

Despite Taylor’s emergence, Felix still averaged the same amount of minutes as he did in his freshman year. He also managed to improve his 3-point shooting percentage and averaged more points per game (11.6) than Cameron Ridley (11.2).

At the other end of the floor, his defensive presence is good. Even though Felix is limited physically when matching up with tall guards, he still averages nearly a steal per game.

The downside of his contributions is that Felix took too many bad shots. His FG% was 35.8% – the lowest percentage of anyone on the team averaging at least 10 minutes/game. His rebounding numbers also dropped from his freshman to sophomore year.

Often at a height disadvantage, Felix averages 2.4 personal fouls a game. Felix must do a better job of moving his feet on defense, especially on players who are driving to the basket.

So what can we expect from Javan Felix in his junior year? A good 6th man. Felix will play the point guard position when Taylor needs a break.

Since Felix is more of a spot-up shooter than Taylor is, defenses will play him and the rest of the team differently when he is on the floor. Felix’s willingness to shoot 3-pointers is an asset to the team only if he takes smarter shots. If he can fake more of his three point shots and bounce pass the ball to the paint or to a cutting guard to make a layup, that high percentage play will put the Longhorns in a better position to win games.

If Felix embraces his role and becomes a smarter player in terms of shot selection and knowledge of the game, he will get more playing time.

I have faith in Javan, he is a very smart, disciplined player. He just needs to show it on the court in pressure situations.