Emery's quick start off mission a surprise
Emery is the exception for a major college basketball player who took two years off to serve a mission.
The norm is for guys to struggle and even falter, get injured, limp around with stress fractures, experience tendonitis in the knees, get ankle sprains or suffer sore backs that go into spasm after a few hard practices. Many simply don't get their legs back for a year to 18 months and their productivity is unpredictable and inconsistent. Sometimes they can shoot, but with some, you can barely wedge a dollar bill under their sneakers when they jump.
Emery breaks the mold.
This time last year, Emery was an LDS missionary in Mexico. Like most missionaries, he had little time to physically work out or get in any routine.
Unlike Noah Hartstock, a highly publicized recruit out of Oklahoma who got off his mission last August, Emery had all summer after his mission to work out and prepare for this, his sophomore season. And he's now averaging about nine points and four rebounds a game for the Cougars, who open league play this weekend against Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colo.
And he's married.
Emery ranked No. 1 in the MWC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.69) early this week.
"He's a phenom," said BYU basketball conditioning coach Justin McClure.
So, why isn't Emery struggling?
"First, he's a crazy-hard worker. The way he plays is the way he practices and lifts," McClure said. "Second, he's just a great athlete. He is very talented. Third, he didn't get sick or come back completely out of shape or with a bug like some do. In fact, he put on weight, about five pounds all muscle since he came home."
While redshirt guard Michael Loyd might beat Emery on a running jump and dunk contest, "Emery could get him on a jump with both feet," said McClure.
One problem Emery experienced this summer was unusual. He had played hours a day growing up before his mission without any physical problems, but this summer he noticed his legs would tighten up on him. It got so bad his knees would hurt, especially in the back, behind his kneecap. He started wearing slip-on sleeves on both knees and was worried that he had knee problems, like many guys just off missions experience.
Recent comments
I play against his lil brother. He is the best player in utah. If we...
Jackson's lil bro | Jan. 10, 2009 at 6:12 p.m.
I was surprised with how fit Emery is. I also think he has a...
Emery Fan | Jan. 8, 2009 at 10:55 a.m.
And to fill in haws and jackson's feet will be Jackson's little bro....
05'LP Jester | Jan. 8, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.
- Ways to motivate young athletes 12:17 p.m.
- The easily offended 4-year-old 12:16 p.m.
- Button battery can look like a treat 12:14 p.m.
- Obama has tough sell on Afghanistan 12:14 p.m.
- Adding a luxurious steam bath 12:13 p.m.
- Hall reprimanded by MWC 12:13 p.m.
- Hoarding disorder on prime-time 12:11 p.m.
- Doing holiday cards without stress 12:08 p.m.
- 'Opus' book offers rare images 12:06 p.m.
- Emilio Pacheco wins literary award 12:03 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
888 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
480 - Max Hall issues apology
338 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
209 - BYU is champion of the state
139 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
120 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Utes won't respond to Hall
100 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
80
Once again, the BYU-Utah game lived up to its billing. You could tell it...
We learned a bit more about the basketball team after this weekend.
I always thought that we could get new members in India since Indians I know...
I'm so glad that marriage has been upheld in many states. JUST SOOOOOOO GLAD.
RE: Blah, blah, blah, | 11:52 a.m. Nov. 30, 2009 It was 20-9 going into...
Nearly all of your comments support exactly what Holly Sue is trying to bring...
So, cops should be nice, polite, decent, and submissive to dirtbag criminals...
Okay, "Reality Check": name one state program that catches, cooks and cuts up...
I believe that our military only asks for what it thinks it needs to...
The fact is the Organization isn't "Classless", he was aiming his comments at...
I think it would be cool to complete the 25th Anniversary of the 1984...
This year is turning out to be like last year. This is a mash unit. Enough...


