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ASU needs a go-to man? Kuksiks is ready (Arizona Republic/October 21, 2009, by Doug Haller)
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: Regarded as one of the nation's best shooters and he can be clutch against some of the better teams, as he shot 42 percent from the three-point stripe last year in the 16 games against NCAA Tournament teams (ASU was 10-6) and was 17-of-37 (.459) in the six games against ranked teams. Ended last year eighth in the nation in three-bomb percentage per official NCAA minimum of 2.5 made per game as he was 93-of-210 (.443) from beyond the arc. The light bulb went bright on Valentine's Day in his freshman season (2007-08), 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 (1.9 points per game) and 453 points in past 37 (12.2). 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 is the 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 of high school. 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. Has played in 61 games and started in 47 in his two-year career. A second-team Pac-10 All-Academic selection in 2009. MAKES THEM IN CLOSE GAMES: ASU played four games last year that were decided by two points or less. Kuksiks was 14-of-30 (.467) from the three-point stripe in those games, which included wins over IUPUI (6-11), BYU (1-3), Arizona (5-10) and a loss at Washington State (2-6). ONE OF THE BEST COMING BACK: Rihards Kuksiks finished eighth in the nation last year in three-point percentage per official NCAA standards (minimum of 2.5 made threes per game). He is the third-best three-point shooter returning this year, behind only Jared Stohl of Portland and Brandon Hazzard of Troy. Here is a look at the top five three-point shooters in the nation returning, with last year's final rank noted:
NCAA TOP THREE-POINT RETURNING SHOOTERS SOPHOMORE SEASON (2008-2009): Established himself as a solid third option behind NBA draft picks James Harden and James Harden by averaging 10.3 points per game in 33.1 minutes per game, and averaged 10.8 points in Pac-10 games in 34.9 minutes...posted 19 games of double-digit points including a career-high 20 points in season finale against No. 13 Syracuse in NCAA Tournament...also had 17 in regular season finale against NCAA Tournament-bound California...posted four straight double-digit point games in early season Pac-10 play with 16 at California, 13 vs. Oregon State and Oregon and then 16 at USC...minutes increased in final nine games, as he led the team with 38.9 minutes per game...had a three-pointer in 32 of 34 games he played in last year...had huge game vs. Arizona on Feb. 22 in Tempe by making 5-of-10 three-pointers en route to 17 points. 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 Toughest loss: All of them
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