After having a successful career for the Baylor Bears, LJ Cryer transferred to Houston to help the Cougars capture a national championship in 2023-24. Cryer is an explosive guard and aids Houston’s offense this season. This is why Cryer is destined to perform as one of the best guards in the country with the Cougars.
Why LJ Cryer Is One of the Best Pickups in CBB
Shot-Making
Cryer is an impressive scorer because he makes difficult shots. His dribble drives and paint scoring come from good handles and excellent patience. Cryers’ footwork allows him to navigate around taller defenders and get into the lane. More importantly, Marcus Sasser is not a Cougar anymore. Houston needs a guard who creates and makes shots, and Cryer does that at a high level. He finds success on mid-range jumpers, floaters, and lay-ups at the rim. A versatile offensive guard is perfect for replacing Sasser this upcoming season.
Shooting
Cryer brings an even better shooting option at the guard position for the Cougars. His shooting is top-notch. Besides going 41.5% from three, he is an excellent catch-and-shoot and off-the-dribble scorer. He had an effective field goal percentage of 67% on catch-and-shoot jumpers, an excellent statistic for a guard. Cryer shot 51% on pull-up jumpers, making him a versatile shooter. Now, the concern with his shooting is his shot selection. He only produced 0.9 expected points per shot, but he does shoot the ball very effectively. Good shooters sometimes generate bad shots because they can score from the perimeter effortlessly.
Passing
Cryer is a solid passer. He produced a 13% assist rate at Baylor, which is effective for a combo guard. Cryer also had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio last season. His passing is most effective out of pick-and-roll sets, as he makes good decisions in that offense. Passing and unselfishness are qualities Houston looks for in their players, and Cryer will aid in that.
Experience
Cryer played a lot of college basketball, meaning his experience is valuable. He was a part of the 2021 National Championship team at Baylor, so he understands winning. Houston is a successful program, so bringing in a player who won at the highest level is essential for maintaining a winning culture. Moreover, Cryer played in the Big 12. Houston joins the Big 12 this season, so Cryer offers experience on having prosperity in a challenging basketball conference.
Experience is valuable in college basketball because teams need leaders to find success. Cryer has been through big moments in his career, so he brings stabilization to Houston’s program.
Why Is Cryer A Great Addition?
Cryer is one of the best guards in the country and plays in a conference he is familiar with. More importantly, his scoring and playmaking allow Houston to get better offensive shots this season. The Cougars look to get back to the Final Four, and the addition of Cryer puts them back into contention. Houston stays relevant because of Cryer’s excellence, making this addition one of the best in the country.
