A 95 MPH fastball or a deadly three-point shot?
For many athletes, that would be a tough decision to make. But for Pat Connaughton it’s easy, he’ll just take both.
The Blazer’s rookie shooting guard not only boasts professional baseball skills, but has the résumé to prove it. Connaughton was drafted in the 4th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and played professionally for the Aberdeen Ironbirds of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League before playing his senior season of basketball at the University of Notre Dame.
That season Connaughton averaged 12.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, while shooting over 42% from three-point range. Those numbers, combined with an incredible display of athleticism at the NBA draft combine, made him a second round draft pick of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA draft, later acquired by the Portland Trailblazers.
The Trailblazers have one of the deepest shooting guard positions in the NBA. At the top is C.J. McCollum, quickly becoming an NBA darling as he averages close to 20 points and four assists per game. Then there’s Gerald Henderson, the veteran has come off the bench an average of 15.1 minutes per game, scoring 6.4 points and providing valuable on court leadership. Throw into the mix Allen Crabbe, a SF/SG who has been electric off the bench, and the Trailblazers have a myriad of valuable options in the backcourt opposite Damian Lillard. Needless to say, it’s been difficult for Connaughton to break into the rotation.
The Notre Dame product has appeared in six games, averaging two minutes per game. He’s only attempted one three-pointer all season (he nailed it). With the likes of McCollum, Henderson, and Crabbe ahead of him, it’s hard to see where Connaughton fits into the picture.
As a project in player development, Connaughton makes sense. With his multi-sport background, he’s never spent a whole year working solely on his basketball skills. His upside is unknown and the Blazers are clearly looking to tap into that potential. However, the more patient the Blazers are, the less patient Connaughton may become. The Orioles still hold his MLB rights and Connaughton received a signing bonus of over $400,000 when he inked a deal with Baltimore. There’s a lot more cash where that came from, and plenty of opportunities to pitch.
Connaughton’s NBA career carries much less pressure than many of his teammates’. If basketball doesn’t work out, there’s no question where his next paycheck is coming from. That kind of job security can make some players confident and others stagnant. It’s too soon to say when it comes to Connaughton, but if his willingness to leave behind millions in the MLB is any indication, he’ll do whatever it takes to make it with the Blazers.
The Heat Check Magazine 