McDermott’s Game-Winner

Creighton’s Doug McDermott is one of the nation’s deadliest shooters, see how his coach (his dad) springs him free despite defensive attention

WHY USE THIS BASKETBALL 3-POINTER PLAY
You want the ball in your best player’s hands with the game on the line. The problem is defensive attention typically engulfs this player, so you need to create space by running multiple screens.

SET UP
Following a made St. John’s free throw tying the game, Creighton brings the ball up the floor with 11.1 seconds remaining. All five Bluejays align outside the 3-point arc. McDermott is two passes away from the ball handler on the right side.

HOW TO PLAY
The ball handler dribbles right and hands off to the player on the wing [1]. The original ball handler clears to the right corner. The new ball handler dribbles left and comes off a ball screen. The weak-side wing moves to the elbow and readies to pick off McDermott’s defender who is a bit too low [2]. The ball handler zips a pass across the top. McDermott catches, shoots and scores the game winning basket. He has space due to the elbow screen [3].

TECHNIQUE
McDermott is a gifted 3-point shooter but does possess the ability to dribble as well. His defender gives him too much space possibly fearing a catch-and-drive situation, setting up the 3-pointer.