The Indiana Pacers’ guard T.J. McConnell became one of the team’s most important players during last year’s final season series. He gave consistent delivery in the playoffs and worked hard to lead a comeback in Game 7 of the Finals. The 33-year-old made himself the most underrated player in the league.
The Indiana Pacers are building strongly without their star presence. Tyrese Haliburton and McConnell will play a key role in the upcoming season. Denver Nuggets star guard Cam Johnson recently spoke about McConnell’s high school days. On The Young Man & the Three podcast, Johnson recalled watching a young McConnell dominate games as a top scorer.
“T.J. McConnell in high school was wicked. His senior year in high school was when I was in eighth grade,” Johnson shared. “My older brother played against TJ for three years. They played each other plenty of times. TJ’s teams were hard to beat, they were nice. . .TJ was an elite scorer. His senior year, I think he averaged 37. I’m talking about him pulling up from half court. And his shot looked different back then; it was lower.”
By the time T.J. McConnell elevated himself a lot, he had changed his game to fit his role in the NBA. He is not just a top scorer anymore; he plays smart, passes well, and defends well.
T.J. McConnell Shapes Indiana Pacers’ Glorious Future
McConnell demonstrated his significant presence in the Pacers’ depth on and off the court. During a baseball game in Indianapolis, many teammates supported him as he threw the first pitch and showed how much they respect and like him.
Even though he is not a flashy scorer, McConnell helps the team with clever plays and strong defense. As the Pacers continue building their team, T.J. McConnell’s role stays essential. He brings experience and relentless effort that solidify the team’s overall performance and confidence. He will continue contributing more to the team’s needs as a future asset.
The post Cam Johnson Reveals Just How ‘Wicked’ T.J. McConnell Was Back In High School originally published on Total Pro Sports.