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5 Most Important Returning Players for Texas Basketball

By Tyler Brett

Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart yells in the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart yells in the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Kendal Yancy (5) shoots over Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Devaugntah Williams (0) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Texas Tech defeated Texas 82-74. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Kendal Yancy (5) shoots over Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Devaugntah Williams (0) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Texas Tech defeated Texas 82-74. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas will need to shoot the ball in transition to find success in 2016-17. Enter senior Kendal Yancy, resident sharpshooter. While he’s coming off a disappointing junior season, Yancy should see an expanded situational role this year.

Last season, Yancy saw career lows in minutes played (10.5) and points (3.0) per game. However, he set career highs for efficiency, shooting 46.1 percent from the floor, including 40.7 percent from 3-point range. In three seasons at Texas, Yancy has never shot worse than 40.2 percent from the field or 33.3 percent from range.

When he saw extended minutes, Yancy produced for Texas last season. He only logged more than 20 minutes in a game three times in 2015-16 but scored double-digit points twice. His best stretch was back-to-back road games against then-No. 3 Oklahoma and then-No. 14 Iowa State. In those two games, Yancy logged 35 and 21 minutes, respectively, scoring 23 combined points and connecting on 5-of-6 from 3-point range.

With minutes available like they are and Texas needing consistent perimeter shooting, Yancy should see opportunities to contribute this season. His range and experience will be vital for the Horns to start fast this season and to survive the grind of conference play.

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