Talen Horton-Tucker had a frustrating 2021-22 season, marred by injuries and inconsistency that set back the Los Angeles Lakers guard’s development.
Horton-Tucker’s highs were impressively high and lows disappointingly low last year. The Iowa State alum short career-low 26.9% for 3 and infamously went 1-for-13 — missing all eight of his 3-point attempts — in a December loss to the Phoenix Suns.
But in his first games of the season, he chipped in 25 and 28 points before dropping a career-high 40 in a late-season loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Horton-Tucker has been putting in the work to address his shortcomings this summer. Besides lifting weights in the gym, the 21-year-old made a Drew League appearance in July and turned up to Chicago’s pro-am event, Dreamville Chi League, earlier this week to get some extra minutes on the court, via BallIsLife:
Horton-Tucker showed off his speed and ball-handling, driving toward the basket for a layup with the same ease he usually does for the Lakers.
Notably, the young guard’s stepback jumper looked smoother than in previous years as he comfortably drilled a few triples in Chicago.
Horton-Tucker wants to ‘tune things up’ over summer
During his Drew League win last month, Horton-Tucker scored 14 points, shooting 5-for-13. The guard then explained he still wanted to “tune things up” and make more shots after he struggled to knock them down from deep during the game.
However, Horton-Tucker said he felt good being back in play and the win made the overall experience even better.
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