Corey Kispert begins what he calls a “trip to the beach” most mornings around 10:30. The sand for this Wizards rookie is the hardwood of Washington’s practice court. Instead of enticing waves and water, a basket and a backboard beckon.
Not everyone’s idea of a relaxing retreat, but Kispert wouldn’t have it any other way.
After all, this daily basketball getaway has become routine for Kispert and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — the veteran who is charged with showing the 23-year-old the NBA ropes.
“We call it a vacation spot,” Caldwell-Pope said.
“It feels just as good as putting your toes in the sand,” Kispert said.
Kispert, who entered the NBA with a reputation as a prolific sharpshooter during his college career at Gonzaga, has had to work relentlessly to translate that skill to the next level — a transition that hasn’t always been a smooth one. But after experiencing his fair share of ups and downs, Kispert is finally starting to display the touch that made him the overall No. 15 pick in last year’s draft.
Kispert hit 6 of 9 3-pointers in Sunday’s win 123-115 win over the Golden State Warriors — part of his team-high (and career-high) 25 points. The victory also saw Kispert set the franchise record for most 3s made in a season by a rookie.
On the season, Kispert has made 96 shots from beyond the arc — topping Bradley Beal’s 91.
“I feel really good about it, but I also played a lot more games than Brad did his rookie year,” Kispert said with a smile. “You know, a lot more 3s to be had. Hopefully, I can expand that record and keep rallying up the total before the season is over.”
Kispert is right when he says he has played more games than Beal’s 2012-13 season: 69 to 56. But the Gonzaga product may not give himself enough credit given that Beal, the third overall pick in 2012, played 1,745 minutes that season to Kispert’s 1,547. The disparity comes from the fact that Kispert over the first few months of the season played sparingly.
These days, Kispert is the starting lineup. And coincidentally, it was an injury to Beal that put him there regularly. Since Feb. 10, the first game after Beal was ruled out for the year with a wrist injury, Kispert has started the last 21 contests and taken advantage of the opportunity. During that stretch, Kispert has averaged 11.7 points per game and is shooting 38.9% from deep.
The latter number is particularly encouraging for the Wizards, who used the 15th pick on the wing for his shooting ability over four years at Gonzaga. When Kispert was drafted, general manager Tommy Sheppard hailed Kispert as a “knockdown shooter” who knew how to get open. That Wizards needed that element after ranking 26th last season.
Kispert struggled early, hitting just 22.5% of his 3-point attempts in October and November. The struggles took a toll on the rookie, who said “it sucked” to not see the ball consistently go in.
The “vacations” with Caldwell-Pope have helped the rookie adjust. At the practice facility, the two hold shooting competitions — often in games in which each has to shoot from five spots or on the move. Best of five.
“We’re just getting up shots. To have him over there, talking to him, it’s been good for him,” Caldwell-Pope said.
On Sunday, Caldwell-Pope said he saw Kispert shooting against the Warriors without hesitation. Many of the looks came on catch-and-shoot situations and Kispert fired off as soon as he caught the ball.
For the Wizards, Kispert’s improvement has been gradual. His scoring averages have improved each month of the season, with his best coming in March. This month, Kispert is scoring 12.7 points per game and shooting 42.4% from deep.
More than a third of his 3-pointers — 36 of 96 — have come in that span.
“He’s not shy,” Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said. “He’s not afraid of the moment. Sometimes when you miss shots, there’s a little self-doubt, you start overthinking it. But he’s got enough confidence and he’s put in enough time to trust himself and he’s stepped up.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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