The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WITH all the accolades he received during the Michigan State Spartans’ run at the Final Four, there remains one major question mark regarding Bahamian guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr - his ability on the offensive end.

During the offseason, Nairn is making an effort to shore up those concerns by dedicating much of the summer to improving his jumpshot.

In an interview with mlive.com, Nairn outlined his workout regimen, which has included putting up approximately 1,000 shots per day.

He promised to display that improvement in his upcoming sophomore season with renewed confidence. “I know this year there won’t be any question that I’m going to shoot the ball. It’s just confidence. I’m the most confident I’ve ever been in my life in my game, and nobody or nothing can stop me from being confident,” Nairn told mlive’s Kyle Austin.

“I know I put in a lot of work and I’m going to trust it whether I miss or make shots. “That’s a major part of basketball, and I don’t think nothing or nobody can take that away from me. “I was focusing more on one specific thing, and just trying to get better, pushing myself as hard as I can after it.”

Nairn averaged 2.2 points, 2.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds in just over 19 minutes per game for the Spartans in his freshman season.

He shot just 32 per cent from the field, 30 per cent from three-point range and 54 per cent from the line while attempting just 2.3 shots per game.

“The only reason I didn’t shoot it enough was because I wasn’t confident enough,” Nairn said.

The Spartans finished the year at 27-12 and were runners-up in the Big 10 tournament. They entered the NCAA tournament as the No.7 seed in the East Region and defeated Georgia, Virginia, Oklahoma and Louisville en route to the Final Four.

The dream season came to an end one game short of the national championship game when they suffered an 81-61 loss to the Duke Blue Devils in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Heralded for his leadership since he joined the Spartans in East Lansing, Nairn was recognised for those attributes when the team hosted its 2015 awards banquet.

He collected the Stephen G Scofes Inspirational Player Award, shared the Antonio Smith Glue and Guts Award with Denzel Valentine and shared the John E Benington Best Defensive Player Award with Brandon Dawson.