SJ Hutchinson, a 6’4″ 200 pound freshman guard from Philadelphia, PA, is making an impression on the hardwood for the Wheeling University Cardinals basketball team. The young gun from The Phelps School in Malvern, PA, where he played four years of prep basketball and was named First-Team All-Conference during his senior year, is certainly a player to watch in the future. Not only is he an outstanding athlete, but he is also a member of the National Honors Society, truly a well-rounded individual.
The Cardinals got their first glimpse of Hutchinson’s talents on November 11th, 2022, when the team faced off against Cal U (PA). Though he saw limited minutes on the floor, the rookie guard’s quickness and ball-handling abilities were on full display. He may not have found the bottom of the net that evening, but it was clear that he had a bright future ahead of him.
The next game, against Shepherd on November 12th, gave the Cardinals and their fans a taste of what was to come. In only 8 minutes of play, Hutchinson lit up the scoreboard for 5 points, making 2 of 3 field goal attempts and was 1 of 2 on his three-point attempts. He had 1 assist, but also committed a turnover though it’s clear that the young guard was gaining confidence in his game.
The Wheeling faithful got to see even more of Hutchinson’s talents in the following game against D’Youville on November 15th, where he played for 9 minutes, scoring 5 points, making 2 of 3 field goal attempts, and 1 of 2 three-point attempts. He also grabbed 3 rebounds, had no assists, and committed a turnover. It was a solid performance by the freshman, and the team and the fans alike were excited to see what he would do next.
As the season has progressed, Hutchinson’s play has continued to improve. On November 19th against Notre Dame (OH) he had a standout performance, scoring 14 points in 26 minutes. He made 2 of 6 field goal attempts, 1 of 3 three-point attempts, and 9 of 13 free throws. He also grabbed 5 rebounds, had no assists, and committed 1 turnover. This performance was a sign of things to come as he continue to develop his game.
On November 22nd against Alderson Broaddus, he scored 7 points in 21 minutes, making 1 of 6 field goal attempts, 1 of 5 three-point attempts, and 4 of 5 free throws. He also grabbed 3 rebounds, had no assists, and committed 1 turnover, showing the variety in his offensive game.
Hutchinson’s strongest performance came on November 30th against Davis & Elkins where he scored 11 points in 13 minutes, making 4 of 6 field goal attempts, 3 of 5 three-point attempts, and 0 of 0 free throws. He also grabbed 1 rebound, had 2 assists, and committed 0 turnovers. This game marked a key moment in the young guard’s development and solidified his place in the rotation.
As the season went on, there were a few growing pains as with any young player, especially as he played on the road against tougher opponents. But through it all, Hutchinson remained focused and continued to develop his game.
In the game against West Va. Wesleyan on December 3rd, he scored 4 points in 24 minutes, making 1 of 3 field goal attempts, 0 of 2 three-point attempts, and 2 of 2 free throws. He also grabbed 1 rebound, had 1 assist, and committed 4 turnovers. Though it wasn’t his strongest performance, it was a learning experience for the rookie guard. He continued to work on his game and it paid off in the following game against West Virginia St. on December 7th, where he scored 5 points in 7 minutes, making 2 of 3 field goal attempts, 1 of 2 three-point attempts, and 0 of 0 free throws. He also grabbed 0 rebounds, had no assists, and committed 2 turnovers.
Against Charleston (WV) on December 10th there was another opportunity for Hutchinson to showcase his talents. He played 26 minutes, scoring 6.6 points, making 3 of 7 field goal attempts, 2 of 3 three-point attempts, and 3 of 3 free throws. He also grabbed 3 rebounds, and though he had no assists, he also committed no turnovers.
Overall, it’s been a solid start to the season for the freshman guard. His stats may not jump off the page, but the progress he’s made in his game is undeniable. He has a strong work ethic and a great attitude, and with continued development, he has the potential to be a real asset for the Wheeling Cardinals. He is one of the young players to watch out for in the future. As a first-year player, he showed a lot of promise on the court, and his time will come.
Hutchinson has been an integral part of the team and he has been an important contributor to the team’s success this season. With his talent, work ethic and character, there is no doubt that he will be a key player for the Cardinals in the years to come. His High School background at the Phelps school shows that he is no stranger to hard work, and that is evident in his style of play on the court. He is a well-rounded individual who has the potential to become an elite player. It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop and contribute to the team’s success in the future.
