Corey Kispert’s rookie campaign has, for the most part, flown under-the-radar so far. But he has had a solid year, and has gotten better as the season has gone on. That is especially true once getting into the starting lineup.
Kispert has played in 54 of the Wizards’ 59 games this year. He only started 13 of those games. But those 13 games have been his best ones for the most part. In those starts, he has averaged 12.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He has also shot 39.2 percent from three-point range in those games. His +/- is one of the highest on the team recently too. But the stat sheet does not show the entire picture. He is also clearly playing with more and more confidence and continues to develop and improve.
Goal #1: Continue To Shoot Better
As I stated above, Kispert has shot a lot better in games that he has started and especially recently. He is continuing to get back into the form that was expected when Washington drafted him 15th overall last summer. With the “Latvian Laser” Davis Bertans gone, the Wizards need a new high-tier shooter to arise. Corey Kispert can be that for them.
Goal #2: Remain In The Starting Lineup
The Wizards’ starting five has been in flux for most of the season. 27 different players have played in a game for them this season and twelve of those players have started a game. But Kispert is quickly carving out a role for himself. He is shooting well and rebounding well and that could be very valuable for this team moving forward.
Goal #3: Crash The Boards
While Corey Kispert has been rebounding well, he is certainly capable of better. He averaged five rebounds per game as a senior at Gonzaga, but this season as an NBA rookie he is only averaging 2.6 rebounds per game. The Wizards need more rebounding from their wing players and that is where Kispert can come in and do well.