|
ASU's Kuksiks getting over growing pains (East Valley Tribune/Dec. 13, 2008)
Kuksiks more than outside shooter (Arizona Republic/Dec. 13, 2008)
SUN DEVIL DATA: The light bulb went bright on Valentine's Day last year for Rihards, as ASU's late-season surge coincided with him posting solid minutes. He averaged 26.6 minutes and 8.7 points in the final 12 games and had 25 three-pointers, beginning with the overtime upset of seventh-ranked Stanford on Feb. 14 as he had 15 points in that game. Best way to say it...he had 42 points in the first 22 games and 104 points in final 12. Sharpshooter who impressed the team in fall pick-up games his freshman year with the ability to bury the longball, but was not able to go to summer school that year so he developed slowly. Coach Sendek has always given good three-point shooters the green light, so knowing that Rihards seems like a perfect fit. Pronounced Reh-HARDS (roll the r) KOOK-six, but everyone calls him Rick. Led his team to a 26-3 record in senior year. Described by high school coach Aubin Goporo as someone who leads by example and just goes about his business. When Florida Air Academy had a 49-game winning streak in his junior year but had a key injury to a teammate, Rihards took over and put the exclamation point on the 50-game streak with a 45-point performance that included nine three-pointers. FRESHMAN SEASON (2007-2008): Was one of four freshman to start against No. 17 Xavier on Dec. 17 as ASU won 77-55, the largest margin of victory over a ranked team in ASU history...averaged 17.2 minutes per game on the year and posed 36 three pointers...shot 39.2 percent from three-point stripe in ASU wins (20-of-51)...had double digits in six of final 12 games, including 15 in huge win at Washington and 12 in big home win vs. USC...hit 21 three-pointers in final nine games against Pac-10 teams...had 15 points on 6-of-12 field goals and had three three-pointers in win over seventh-ranked Stanford on Feb. 14. ASU FRESHMAN THREE POINTERS FLORIDA AIR ACADEMY: Team captain for Falcons in senior year...averaged nearly 30 points per game in his senior year and 22 points per game in his junior year and won three straight state titles...scored a game-high 23 points as squad topped Gainesville P.K. Yonge 68-56 the Florida 3A state finals as he was 8-of-15 from the field with a trio of three-pointers...had 26 points and eight boards in state semifinal win over Ribault. ETC.: Parents Nokolay and Gunta live in Latvia...has an older brother, Andris...born July 17, 1988. CAREER HIGHS FOR RIHARDS KUKSIKS GETTING TO KNOW RIHARDS KUKSIKS...
|
 
   
 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
