Wofford College center Kyler Filewich has adopted the underhanded “granny style” free throw technique to address his longstanding struggles from the free-throw line. Throughout his collegiate career, Filewich faced challenges with free throw accuracy, shooting 47% during his first two seasons at Southern Illinois. Upon transferring to Wofford, his percentages declined further, reaching 31.2% in the current season.Â
Seeking improvement, Filewich sought guidance from NBA Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry, renowned for his proficiency with the underhanded free throw method. Barry provided both physical and mental coaching over several sessions, emphasizing relaxation and proper technique. Filewich expressed gratitude for Barry’s mentorship, noting, “He’ll check in after games and see how the free throws are feeling. I’m super thankful for him.”Â
Since implementing the underhanded technique, Filewich has observed a modest improvement in his free throw performance. Notably, he achieved a 4-for-6 success rate in a game against The Citadel, marking a significant enhancement from his previous averages. Embracing this unconventional approach, Filewich prioritized team success over personal image, stating, “I put my ego aside. Winning is more important to me than looking cool or whatever.”Â
This adaptation underscores Filewich’s commitment to overcoming challenges and contributing effectively to his team’s performance.
