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Louisville basketball: What are the Cards getting in Jay Scrubb?

By Jacob Ritchie

LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 19: Head coach Chris Mack of the Louisville Cardinals looks on during a game against the Syracuse Orange at KFC YUM! Center on February 19, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Syracuse 90-66. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 19: Head coach Chris Mack of the Louisville Cardinals looks on during a game against the Syracuse Orange at KFC YUM! Center on February 19, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Syracuse 90-66. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 25: Chris Mack the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team against the Clemson Tigers at KFC YUM! Center on January 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 25: Chris Mack the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team against the Clemson Tigers at KFC YUM! Center on January 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

A versatile offensive game

Jay Scrubb has been brilliant offensively for John A. Logan this season, a versatile guard that can score in almost every way imaginable. His game has been monitored by draft experts, and Matt Babcock had this to say about Scrubb in a Q&A with BRL last month:

"In regards to Scrubb, yes, he is draftable. He has good size for a shooting guard, jumps out of the gym, and has a sweet stroke from outside — he has major upside! However, based on my evaluations and the homework I have done on him, I think a year at Louisville would be very beneficial for him. Personally, I would like to see him go to Louisville for a year, increase his basketball IQ, work on his body, and just have one year at a big school to mature."

This is big praise for a JUCO player, and Babcock would go onto say that Scrubb’s pre-draft process would be crucial, as the spotlight on him is not as bright as it would have been at a division one school. However, his offensive numbers have spoken for themselves at Logan A. College, and this is what he has done so far.

In 30 games this season, Scrubb has averaged 20 points, nine rebounds, and nearly two assists a game. He has scored the ball effectively in every facet of the game as well, shooting 55% from the field along with a 46 percent clip from three-point territory.

With the Cardinals losing their best perimeter shooter in McMahon, having somebody who comes in shooting at such an efficient rate will be a key piece in the puzzle of beginning to replace the huge chunk of scoring Louisville loses.

An intriguing facet to Scrubb’s game is his unorthodox free-throw routine, with which he has shot nearly 80%. He boasts this extremely high percentage with a rather peculiar strategy, he aims for the backboard.

Scrubb had this to say about his unusual form,

"I just felt like it was easier to bank them. If you put more on it, you just hit the bank shot. I like it. I like the different reactions I get from the crowd when I use the bank shot, so you know it’s a classic."

Needless to say, if it goes in it goes in. His scoring prowess coupled with David Johnson’s ability to penetrate and pick apart opposing defenses will be a crucial part of Louisville’s offense next season, and Scrubb’s game should fit right into Mack’s system.

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