Ever wondered what it would take to impress LeBron James so much that he literally hopped out of his chair? Now we know, thanks to Canadian hoops phenom Andrew Wiggins.
As filmed by CityLeagueHoopsTV, Wiggins stole the show during the first day of the LeBron James Skills Academy, hitting a wild, game-winning off-balance three and throwing down a dunk on an alley-oop that left his head level with the rim.
Still, it was a third play which occurs at the 0:30 mark of the video above that left James so excited that he simply couldn't keep seated just behind the baseline. Wiggins received the ball on the perimeter, just beyond the 3-point arc. After a quick move to blow by his defender outside, Wiggins drove hard to the hoop, eventually drawing the opposing squad's center.
Yet, instead of trying to put up an acrobatic inside shot or loft up a floater, Wiggins went up strong and attempted to throw down a monster dunk over the center.
It was a brash and freakishly athletic move. It also eventually proved futile, with Wiggins drawing the foul on a missed dunk. Still, it was such a bold move that when it looked as if it might actually work, James exploded out of his chair to cheer Wiggins' assertiveness.
The big first day was just the latest evidence that Wiggins is the next big thing from the great white North. Wiggins first earned national headlines before he even reached high school, but now that the Huntington (W. Va.) Prep rising junior has taken the American prep scene by storm, he's officially among the most hyped prospects in all of high school basketball, behind rising senior Jabari Parker, of course.
If Parker is a better prospect, it's not by too much. Wiggins already stands 6-foot-7, and the small forward is nearly universally considered the top overall hoops prospect in the Class of 2014. The teen already has a much coveted scholarship offer from John Calipari's Kentucky, and is likely to get a full roster of choices when it comes time to decide where he wants to spend his year of college before he will likely head to the NBA.
For now, everyone can sit back and revel in his freakish athleticism. Now we know that even LeBron James appreciates it, all while being thankful that Wiggins hasn't hit the NBA … yet.
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