Wright on time
Fayetteville Academy alum puts on show for Tubby Smith’s High Point squad
By Rodd Baxley
Staff writer
BUIES CREEK — It didn’t surprise John-Michael Wright because he visualized it well before it happened.
Wright, a freshman at High Point University who prepped at Fayetteville Academy, made Gore Arena his playground on Thursday night with a 30-point performance that included a Chris Clemons- like second half to help the Panthers rally for a 62-57 victory against Campbell.
“When I was here in the summer, while we didn’t have practice, I would go in the gym at night and I would just imagine moments like this,” said Wright, who scored 23 points in the final 20 minutes to outscore the Camels by four points.
“I would just work for it. Just seeing it happen is a blessing.”
Wright, who has four times been named the Big South’s Freshman of the Week this season, has averaged 25.7 points over the last four games and leads Big South freshmen at 15.3 points per contest.
“Just spectacular,” High Point coach Tubby Smith said of Wright’s latest outing.
“He’saveryserious-minded young man — committed and dedicated. One of the most coachable young men I’ve ever coached. He certainly was on fire (against Campbell). He scored 23 points (in the second half) and outscored an opponent and team at home.
“It was a special night for him and I was really proud of our team. I know he would say the same thing. Somebody had to get him open, somebody had to deliver the ball to him, but he was making shots.”
Things were bleak early on as Campbell (11-10, 2-7 Big South) jumped out to a 21-5 lead and carried a 38-23 advantage into halftime against the Panthers (6-16, 3-6) with Wright scoring just seven points.
Fayetteville Academy brought a busload of supporters to Buies Creek, including head coach Bill Boyette. In the second half, Wright made sure that section behind the High Point bench was the loudest in Gore Arena.
“I really thought about it a lot,” Wright said of his family and friends that made the trip.
“I knew a lot of people from my old school were coming to support me, so I just wanted to give them a good show.”
He didn’t disappoint, making three 3-pointers in a row to give High Point its first lead with just over three minutes remaining. The Panthers would lead the rest of the way, outscoring Campbell 39-19 in the second half to earn the road win.
“It was just something in the moment,” Wright said of his scoring onslaught.
“We were down in the first half and I wasn’t playing real well, so I just knew I had to step up for my team and make plays for us to win. It’s a real good feeling, it’s something that you want to stay into and not get too distracted by it. When it happens, it happens and you just gotta let it flow.”
Smith, the 68-year-old coach who claimed his 619th career victory on Thursday, has been impressed with Wright’s development.
“We knew when we saw him play (at Fayetteville Academy), he was a young man that we had to have,” said Smith, who led Kentucky to a national title in 1998 and has taken five schools to the NCAA Tournament.
“He wasn’t noted for his outside shooting … now he can score at all three levels. I think the greatest thing about him, he’s such a humble and caring young man. The players have so much respect for him. You could see how they were trying to get him open, get him shots. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”
Emmanuel Izunabor, who played alongside Wright at Fayetteville Academy and helped the Eagles win the NCISAA 2-A state title last season, couldn’t stop smiling as he talked about Wright’s night.
“I’m used to seeing that,” Izunabor said. “. … He does that every night in high school, so it’s no surprise to me.”
Izunabor, who grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and couldn’t speak English before moving to the United States in 2015, has seen his minutes increase over the last few games. The 6-foot-9 forward pulled down a season-high eight rebounds on Thursday.
“There’s nothing like playing with your brother,” he said, referring to Wright.
“. … I just go in and do what the team needs me to do so we can get the win.”
Smith, who said Izunabor has “great manners” and is “very polite,” also noted the growth of the big fella since arriving on campus.
“He’s learning to play and do his job — that’s defend, rebound — and he’s got some skills to be able to score,” Smith added.
“It’s just gonna take time. We’re playing four freshmen a lot and starting three of them. We may end up starting four with him playing the way he’s playing. … I’m really proud of how our guys are sticking in there. We’re starting to grow up and mature.”
For Izunabor and Wright, it’s about the process and the daily drive to get better every time they step on the court.
And what a step forward it was on Thursday night in Buies Creek.
“It’s been a journey, I just have to keep working,” Wright said.
“So far, it’s been going good.” Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver. com or 910-486-3519.
Fayetteville Academy alum puts on show for Tubby Smith’s High Point squad
By Rodd Baxley
Staff writer
BUIES CREEK — It didn’t surprise John-Michael Wright because he visualized it well before it happened.
Wright, a freshman at High Point University who prepped at Fayetteville Academy, made Gore Arena his playground on Thursday night with a 30-point performance that included a Chris Clemons- like second half to help the Panthers rally for a 62-57 victory against Campbell.
“When I was here in the summer, while we didn’t have practice, I would go in the gym at night and I would just imagine moments like this,” said Wright, who scored 23 points in the final 20 minutes to outscore the Camels by four points.
“I would just work for it. Just seeing it happen is a blessing.”
Wright, who has four times been named the Big South’s Freshman of the Week this season, has averaged 25.7 points over the last four games and leads Big South freshmen at 15.3 points per contest.
“Just spectacular,” High Point coach Tubby Smith said of Wright’s latest outing.
“He’saveryserious-minded young man — committed and dedicated. One of the most coachable young men I’ve ever coached. He certainly was on fire (against Campbell). He scored 23 points (in the second half) and outscored an opponent and team at home.
“It was a special night for him and I was really proud of our team. I know he would say the same thing. Somebody had to get him open, somebody had to deliver the ball to him, but he was making shots.”
Things were bleak early on as Campbell (11-10, 2-7 Big South) jumped out to a 21-5 lead and carried a 38-23 advantage into halftime against the Panthers (6-16, 3-6) with Wright scoring just seven points.
Fayetteville Academy brought a busload of supporters to Buies Creek, including head coach Bill Boyette. In the second half, Wright made sure that section behind the High Point bench was the loudest in Gore Arena.
“I really thought about it a lot,” Wright said of his family and friends that made the trip.
“I knew a lot of people from my old school were coming to support me, so I just wanted to give them a good show.”
He didn’t disappoint, making three 3-pointers in a row to give High Point its first lead with just over three minutes remaining. The Panthers would lead the rest of the way, outscoring Campbell 39-19 in the second half to earn the road win.
“It was just something in the moment,” Wright said of his scoring onslaught.
“We were down in the first half and I wasn’t playing real well, so I just knew I had to step up for my team and make plays for us to win. It’s a real good feeling, it’s something that you want to stay into and not get too distracted by it. When it happens, it happens and you just gotta let it flow.”
Smith, the 68-year-old coach who claimed his 619th career victory on Thursday, has been impressed with Wright’s development.
“We knew when we saw him play (at Fayetteville Academy), he was a young man that we had to have,” said Smith, who led Kentucky to a national title in 1998 and has taken five schools to the NCAA Tournament.
“He wasn’t noted for his outside shooting … now he can score at all three levels. I think the greatest thing about him, he’s such a humble and caring young man. The players have so much respect for him. You could see how they were trying to get him open, get him shots. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”
Emmanuel Izunabor, who played alongside Wright at Fayetteville Academy and helped the Eagles win the NCISAA 2-A state title last season, couldn’t stop smiling as he talked about Wright’s night.
“I’m used to seeing that,” Izunabor said. “. … He does that every night in high school, so it’s no surprise to me.”
Izunabor, who grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and couldn’t speak English before moving to the United States in 2015, has seen his minutes increase over the last few games. The 6-foot-9 forward pulled down a season-high eight rebounds on Thursday.
“There’s nothing like playing with your brother,” he said, referring to Wright.
“. … I just go in and do what the team needs me to do so we can get the win.”
Smith, who said Izunabor has “great manners” and is “very polite,” also noted the growth of the big fella since arriving on campus.
“He’s learning to play and do his job — that’s defend, rebound — and he’s got some skills to be able to score,” Smith added.
“It’s just gonna take time. We’re playing four freshmen a lot and starting three of them. We may end up starting four with him playing the way he’s playing. … I’m really proud of how our guys are sticking in there. We’re starting to grow up and mature.”
For Izunabor and Wright, it’s about the process and the daily drive to get better every time they step on the court.
And what a step forward it was on Thursday night in Buies Creek.
“It’s been a journey, I just have to keep working,” Wright said.
“So far, it’s been going good.” Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver. com or 910-486-3519.
