3 Texas players 'turning heads' in summer workouts
A few weeks ago, all Texas basketball players reported to campus for the start of summer workouts. Texas welcomed plenty of new faces among the summer enrollees to the program a few months before the inaugural season in the SEC in 2024-25.
Which key Texas basketball players have made an immediate impression this summer?
Head coach Rodney Terry and the Longhorns staff dramatically upgraded the depth and proven experience in the backcourt and wing rotations this offseason. Texas added multiple immediate impact transfers who can fill key roles in the starting five and the core part of the reserve rotation next season in the SEC.
Summer workouts and preseason training camp will be critical times not only for the new Longhorns players to transition into the program but also for some new faces on the staff. Last week, Texas hired former Memphis Tigers strength and conditioning coach Darby Rich to fill the same role on Terry's staff.
Rich's hire comes after Texas's strength coach Cory Schlesinger returned to the NBA after spending one season in Austin.
Here's a look at three Longhorns players impressing early in summer workouts.
Chendall Weaver, G
Among the Longhorns key returning players for the 2024-25 season in the backcourt is rising junior guard Chendall Weaver. The former UT-Arlington transfer broke out for Texas, emerging as a crucial two-way guard who could be in the starting five and/or provide a major spark off the bench.
Weaver earned himself the reputation last year of an athletic freak who provided some serious intensity and work ethic on both ends of the floor.
It sounds like Weaver has continued to build on his strong second half from last season during the first few weeks of summer workouts this offseason. On Texas Football's Gerry Hamilton reported (premium content) that Weaver "will not be outworked" in summer workouts.
Weaver has not only set the tone in summer workouts with his work ethic, but he's also emerging as a leader by example in the locker room for this team ahead of the 2024-25 season. He's specifically been working on his jump shot and scoring off the dribble this summer to improve his scoring threat on the offensive end.