Weekly Player Evaluation: Reggie Redding

Player: Reggie Redding

2007-2008 Key Stats: 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals

2007-2008 Review: Last year Reggie Redding’s role on the team diminished as the season went on.  Jay Wright called him the best defender on the team, but he struggled offensively.  Early in the season Reggie was the team’s perimeter defensive specialist, and Jay Wright would call on him to guard the opposing team’s top scorer.  One example was November 18 when Villanova was trailing by eight points at halftime to Bucknell, behind 17 first half points by John Griffin.  Reggie Redding shut down Griffin, his former high school teammate, in the second half, holding the sharpshooter to five points and securing a Villanova victory.  However, Redding’s offensive deficiencies kept him off the floor, especially when Villanova’s younger guards like Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher began to improve defensively. 

2008-2009 Preview: For Reggie Redding to become a prominent member of Villanova’s core rotation again, he will have to improve his shooting.  Last season it got to the point that I cursed every time he attempted a three-pointer because 75% of the time it wasn’t going in.  Redding gained playing time his freshmen year and early last season because of his size (6’5) at the guard position.  With the emergence of Corey Stokes, also a 6’5 guard, Redding’s importance was reduced because Stokes was much a better shooter.  This season Reggie will most likely maintain a role off the bench for defensive situations.