Offensive Player Profiles: Caleb Furst
- Sam Bourne
- Sep 19, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 7, 2023
Caleb Furst, a long lengthy big man out of Fort Wayne, IN enters his junior season in a packed front court Purdue. In the last offensive player profile, I talked about Mason Gillis' value as a stretch four. Also in the front court for Purdue is senior Zach Edey and red shirt sophomore Trey Kauffman-Renn, who we will talk about later in the series. Still, Furst played a significant role in anchoring one of the best defenses in the country, while starting 22 games for a top 4 Purdue team. Though Furst's offensive game has struggled in some people's eyes, I view Furst as a coach's dream and perfect fit for the future of Purdue basketball.
First of all, let's start by defining the strengths for Furst's offensive game, and it starts with his rim running. For a 6'10" power forward, he consistently beats opposing bigs, guards, refs, cameramen - you name them, Furst beats them to the offensive end of the floor. When Purdue wants to push the pace, look for Braden Smith (more on him soon) and Caleb Furst leading the charge. In the half court, Furst slides into a cutter, screener, and rebounder role. He has shown some ability to shoot, but I am a bit skeptical of the reliability of his three pointer. Rather, he can lean into his cutting as his own way of applying offensive pressure to the defense when teams predictably double Edey or rotate to help contain strongside actions. Additionally, in limited time without Edey during the season and on the summer overseas trip, Furst showed to be a good pick 'n roll partner with Smith because of how quick he can roll into open space while still being a lob threat.
Furst Transition Post Up:
Furst's Cutting:
Furst's Corner Three:
Furst's strengths greatly revolve around his size, athleticism, and motor. While his weaknesses exist in areas like passing, shooting, and handling the ball - factors that limit offensive potential for Furst. He has limitations in areas that prevent him from creating consistent offense for others as well as shots for himself. When shots do come for Furst, he struggles to finish through contact at the rim. Often, this is caused from late head movement that can throw off his accuracy, as well as predictable timing that allows defenders to contest his shots very well.
A player comparison for Furst, is Dwight Powell or Xavier Tillman at Michigan State. The reasoning is how they were used in the Pick 'n Roll as a quick roller for pocket passes or lobs. Additionally, both players had slight perimeter game and their mobility allow for them to be utilized in the transition game. The area that I would love for Furst to emulate is how good of a decision maker Tillman became in the short roll area, especially with teams wanting to be more aggressive in guarding Loyer and Smith.
To maximize Furst's offensive role, his most impactful contribution is his rim running. As I mentioned above, he is constantly outrunning defenses, getting layups, or forcing mismatches for other player to take advantage of. In the half-court, he is a talented cutter but lacks the cutting volume that could be a key aspect in countering opposing teams strategies. Some ideas to weaponize his cuts are blending them into post ups, perimeter screens, and gaining rebounding position. A key to his cutting effectiveness is cleaning up his finishing at the rim and maintaining cutting discipline in a more spaced out Purdue system. In general, the confidence to play stronger and make decisions is key for unlocking his potential as an elite cutting and rim running big who can play off of both great bigs and guards.
Furst Post Up:
Furst Cutting Into a Post Up:
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