GREENSBORO, N.C. – Some nicknames are appropriate to describe transcendent talents like "Air", "Dr. J", "Ice Man", "Pearl", "Magic", "Black Mamba", "King James", and "Wilt the Stilt" to name a few. Of course, who can forget the "Splash Brothers" when they were at the height of their powers.
At any rate, as a pure shooter with a sweet stroke, UNC Greensboro junior guard
J.C. Tharrington also has the perfect hoops nickname.
"J.C. Swish."
It fits the 6-foot, 1-inch UNCG economics major like a "Glove" (another nickname, by the way). Once his shots swish through the hoop, the net barely moves, resembling the ethereal beauty of dandelion seeds floating in the wind after being blown.
Tharrington, minoring in political science, comes from a basketball-playing lineage. Growing up in a hoops-loving family, shining as a shooter was his destiny.
"My mom put the ball in my hands when I was 4 years old," Tharrington said. "She played basketball at N.C. State and her dad played in the ABA and NBA. Basketball pretty much runs on her side of the family, and she's been the main influence in terms of me picking up a basketball."
While his mom, Nicole Lehmann now Tharrington, was a standout at N.C. State, her father, George played in the NBA and ABA from 1967 to 1974 as a member of the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Stars, New York Nets, Miami Floridians, Carolina Cougars, Memphis Pros, and Memphis Tams.
George averaged 11.9 points per game and 4.5 assists per game in his professional career and holds the ABA's third-best career 3-point field goal percentage (.365).
Now you know how Tharrington inherited his shooting cheat code.
"My granddad used to run basketball clinics all across the country and film himself giving instructions on shooting and ball-handling fundamentals," Tharrington said. "I saw these videos countless times when I was in elementary and middle school, and he would barely miss."
Tharrington barely misses these days during games, too.
He is shooting 40 percent from 3-point distance this season for UNCG and has 10 assists. Tharrington is one of five UNCG players with double-digit assist totals.
He swished four 3-pointers against North Carolina Wesleyan. In UNCG's second game of the season on the road at Northern Kentucky, Tharrington made two critical 3-point baskets and a huge defensive play that helped put the Spartans in a position to win the game late.
"I remember when I was in middle school, I was messing around on YouTube and I found some film of my mom scoring 20 points against Maryland and then getting a postgame interview," Tharrington said. "Seeing that just made me want to be like them and put my all into the game as well."
Tharrington is getting closer to his postgame interview as he has been one of many critical components to UNCG's successful 7-2 start to the season. He is one of nine Spartan players this season that has scored in double figures in at least one game this year.
Tharrington's game has evolved since transferring from Appalachian State. Even though he rarely played last season as UNCG secured its fifth consecutive 20-win season and competed in the NCAA Tournament, Tharrington improved significantly during heated practice sessions.
"I learned a lot about college basketball," Tharrington said. "Seeing a guy like Isaiah compete every day and having to go against him and the twins daily has made me a much better player. I plan to take that mindset of competing every day into this season, so I can continue to grow as a player."
The growth is evident as Tharrington is part of first-year head coach
Mike Jones's rotation. Like many players this season, Tharrington is enjoying a bigger role. He has embraced the challenge.
UNCG has been off since beating Elon, 74-61, on Nov. 30. The Spartans begin a three-game road trip at 13th-ranked Tennessee on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in a game on the SEC Network.
"Coach Jones has emphasized competing in everything that we do and that has been fun," Tharrington said. "What excites me most about this season is we have a bunch of guys looking to show what they can do. A lot of us have a chip on our shoulder and we're all just looking to play for each other and show everybody what we're capable of.
"The best thing about being part of the UNCG basketball program is the family aspect that we have. All the guys have become like brothers to me because we work so hard for each other every day."
