Say the name threebler in Ohio and just about anyone would point you to Jon Diebler. The former Ohio State guard holds a plethora of Buckeyes’ 3-pt scoring records including the all-time OSU record for 3-pointers made and the single season record for baskets from behind the arc.
By: Jeff Beck
Diebler made his presence known from downtown outside of Buckeye Nation as well. His 374 career 3-pointers place him at No. 17 on the NCAA’s list of the most prolific 3-pt shooters in history. His 41.5 career 3-point percentage was good enough for 10th on the list.
The guard was a last minute invite to the NBA combine in Chicago where The Sports Bank caught up with him to discuss his future in the league. Diebler said he’s been training for NBA team workouts at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas, which he believes was a good litmus test for the combine.
“It definitely got me prepared, said Diebler. “A lot of things that we did in the individual workouts, we also did here today. The strength and conditioning was very helpful and that’s obviously important at the next level.”
When asked about who he might model his game after at the next level, Diebler compared himself to the Chicago Bulls’ Kyle Korver.
“The role that he plays for Chicago is definitely something I could see myself doing for a team,” said Diebler. “Just coming off the bench, spacing the floor, trying to make shots, he doesn’t try to over think the game. “He takes what’s given to him…He does a great job guarding his position and doing what he’s supposed to do on defense.”
The comparison to Korver is justified when looking at collegiate statistics. As aforementioned, Diebler is No. 17 on the NCAA’s list of the best 3-pt shooters of all time. Right behind him at No. 18 is Korver.
Diebler’s accuracy from three was a nice compliment to the inside game of Buckeye big man Jared Sullinger throughout Ohio State’s 2010-2011 campaign. The Bucks rode the inside out approach all the way to the Sweet 16 where they were beaten on a last second bucket by the University of Kentucky.
Diebler recently acknowledged that he partially separated the AC joint in his right shoulder in that game against the Wildcats. The injury kept him out of the Portsmouth Invitational Tourney –a four-day, twelve game tournament for 64 seniors played in front of representatives from every NBA team. The ailment also kept him from participating in the Final Four’s three-point contest in Houston. Diebler told the Cleveland Plain Dealer on May 19 that his shoulder is “100 percent now.”
As the deadline for the draft rapidly approaches, Diebler will continue to prepare with a regimen that will undoubtedly consist of hundreds of shots from three. But the prolific scorer doesn’t want to be pigeon holed as a one-tool player. He says he can contribute on the other end of the floor as well.
“I’m fully capable of guarding the two position at the next level,” said Diebler. “As far as team defense, I think I’m a great help defender”
Diebler won’t have to wait long for the league’s verdict. The 2011 NBA draft is set for Thursday June 23.
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