The first item of Georgia Tech center Ben Lammers’ to-do list for the offseason might come as a surprise.
“First and foremost, he needs to learn how to run properly,” coach Josh Pastner said.
This past season, Lammers became a second-team All-ACC selection and the defensive player of the year without proper running form, by Pastner’s assessment. Lammers’ gait does appear inefficient, particularly stride length, resulting in unnecessary use of energy and a limiting of speed.
“His ability to run from basket to basket and his ability to set screens and sprint to the rim, he needs to be better on that,” Pastner said.
In his defense, only four players in Division I played more minutes than Lammers’ 1309 this season, and none were taller than 6-foot-5. The considerable tax levied on his body by his minutes played likely didn’t help him with his form. After the TCU game, he joked that, after taking a break to rest his body, his vertical might increase by five inches.
Still, increased speed would only help Lammers continue to develop a game that flourished this past season, as he finished 22nd in the ACC in scoring (14.2 points per game), fourth in rebounding (9.2), fifth in field-goal percentage (51.6 percent), first in blocked shots (3.4).
Pastner said he told strength and conditioning coach Dan Taylor that he wants to have Lammers train with one of Tech’s track coaches to learn better form.
“His speed from free-throw line to free-throw line, or when he sets a screen and sprints to the basket, all those things have got to really improve,” Pastner said. “And part of that’s how to run properly.”
Interview series with Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner
Part 1: Conversation with Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner
Part 2: Josh Pastner on Georgia Tech's recruiting and plans to improve
Part 3: Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner on scheduling, Jose Alvarado and more
Part 4: Josh Pastner on Georgia Tech’s China trip and NCAA expectations
About the Author
