Picture this: a talented basketball guard sidelined by a frustrating injury, only to emerge tougher and more determined than ever. That's the inspiring journey of Chendall Weaver as he gears up for the upcoming season with the Texas Longhorns. But here's where it gets controversial—could turning a setback into a strength really redefine a player's career? Let's dive into the details and see how this senior is shaking things up on the court.
During a typical summer training session, senior guard Chendall Weaver would launch the basketball from behind the three-point line anywhere from 500 to 1,000 times. When quizzed about his success rate on those long-range attempts, Weaver chuckled and replied, 'I'd say a solid percentage.' Yet, despite all those practice threes, Weaver isn't your stereotypical flashy, high-scoring point guard who dominates the scoreboard.
Instead, over the past two seasons, fans have witnessed Weaver sprinting up and down the court, leveraging his incredible athleticism to shine on the defensive end with impressive rebounds and steals. Texas men's basketball head coach Sean Miller recognized this potential long before joining the Longhorns, having faced Weaver as an opponent during last year's First Four matchup in the NCAA Tournament between Texas and Xavier.
In that contest, Weaver entered the game off the bench and outplayed more than two of the starting lineup. He tallied seven points, dished out two assists, grabbed three rebounds, and recorded three steals in an 80-86 defeat. 'Chendall Weaver stands out as one of our top performers,' Miller remarked. 'I suspect the broader basketball community might not fully grasp his exceptional talent because he sat out so much time last season due to injury. When we were gearing up to face Texas in the spring tournament, it was like watching two entirely different squads—one without Chendall, and one with him, where his influence on victories became crystal clear.'
Weaver's challenges began with a groin injury sustained during a January 7 matchup against Auburn, keeping him off the court for 15 straight games, all during crucial Southeastern Conference action. Now, with Miller as his coach at Texas and Weaver back in action after a junior year plagued by setbacks, the player reflects on the experience. '(The injury) actually sharpened my focus a bit,' Weaver shared. 'In a way, I see it as a blessing in disguise.' And this is the part most people miss—how a forced break can sometimes fuel a comeback stronger than before.
Fully recovered and stepping onto the court for his senior year, Weaver is prioritizing both physical conditioning to avoid future absences and advancing his skills, particularly in three-point shooting. Throughout his collegiate journey, including his freshman stint at UT-Arlington, Weaver has averaged just 1.6 attempts from beyond the arc, connecting on 35.7% of those shots. But this season, spectators might spot him firing more frequently from long range.
'I'm going for every open three-pointer that comes my way,' Weaver declared when asked about his per-game volume. 'I can guarantee that—probably three to four attempts each contest. But I'm not forcing anything.' To support his energetic, fast-break style of play, Weaver has also bulked up by ten pounds, a move Miller believes will enhance his resilience and physicality. The coach remains optimistic about Weaver's shooting improvement but emphasizes that his true value lies in his versatile, two-way contributions—meaning he's equally effective on offense and defense, impacting the game in multiple ways.
'It's not about his points per game, even though he's a reliable scorer,' Miller explained. 'What sets him apart is everything else: those defensive plays, a steal here, a block there, zipping around the court to influence countless possessions. He's at his best in transition, turning defense into quick offense.'
Weaver and the Longhorns are set to hit the hardwood in under a month at the Dick Vitale Invitational, where they'll clash with powerhouse Duke on November 4. 'We competed in Charlotte last time,' Weaver noted, 'and the atmosphere was electric—I'm really looking forward to it.'
So, what do you think? Is Weaver's decision to embrace more three-point attempts a smart evolution, or could it detract from his defensive strengths? And here's a controversial twist—do injuries like his really serve as blessings, or are they just harsh realities that players must overcome? Share your opinions in the comments below—do you agree with Miller's take on Weaver's impact, or see it differently? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
