NBA superstar Damian Lillard has been playing great this season averaging 32 points and 7.3 assists per game and recently erupting for 71 points. However, the Portland Trail Blazers are struggling with a record of 31-37 and sitting #13 in the Western Conference standings. The team cannot go any lower because the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets seem to be hell-bent to finish in the bottom two positions in the conference. Despite their poor season, there is some excitement in the air in the form of their rookie sensation.

The Trail Blazers selected Shaedon Sharpe as the seventh pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Even though he is not putting up great numbers, the fans are excited about his unbelievable athleticism. According to reports, Sharpe has a vertical of a whopping 49 inches.

Fans went wild for Shaedon Sharpe’s vertical

Ahead of the 2022 NBA draft, reports came out stating that raft prospect Shaedon Sharpe has a 49-inch vertical. As per reports, Sharpe set the record for the highest vertical in the NBA beating the previous record of 48 inches set by none other than All-Time great Michael Jordan. The six-time NBA champion’s athleticism needs no introduction. Jordan took the league by storm as a rookie with his bounce, quickness, etc. So it is no wonder the fans are excited about Sharpe’s potential.

His athleticism has been on display sporadically over the season. But whenever he does display it, fans go wild. Similar was the case when the Portland Trail Blazers played against the Toronto Raptors.

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In one instance of the game, the Canadian on his return rose up for a block and his head literally hit the rim as he swatted it. Fans could not believe their eyes as the clip was recently shared on Twitter by BBALLBREAKDOWN. Here are some reactions:

https://twitter.com/bitey26/status/1635099185656766465?s=20

https://twitter.com/qbmillz/status/1635154862559338497?s=20

Most fans were astonished by the mind-boggling bounce of the 6’5″ shooting guard and wondered whether it is real. Also, many fans wondered why he did not compete in the Slam Dank contest.

Damian Lillard as a mentor for the rookie

Shaedon Sharpe is just averaging around 8 points per game and can’t be compared with MJ. However, it has to be noted that he did not play college basketball. The young star joined the Kentuck Wildcats but left without playing a game as he declared for the draft.

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So he might need some more time settling into the league playing against some of the best athletes in the world. Playing alongside a veteran superstar and leader like Damian Lillard would go a long way for the 19-year-old. If he can stay fit and avoid injuries, he can be one of the best players in the league in due time.