Coming into this season, Kentucky’s Kyle Wiltjer’s 3-point shooting was already somewhat of a legend before he ever stepped foot on the court. However, UK fans have fallen victim to several pre-season legends in the past. Would the 6’9” guy who won the McDonald’s All-American 3-point shooting contest be any different? We’re now 27 games into the season and we can now safely start judging Wiltjer’s impact as a 3-point shooter.

Kyle Wiltjer has come off the bench all season long. Thus far, he has been averaging 13.7 minutes per game. In those minutes, Wiltjer is shooting 38.1% from behind the arc, going 24/63.

In relatively few minutes per game, Wiltjer has knocked down quite a few triples at an acceptable percentage. It is apparent that Kyle Wiltjer is very efficient in knocking down 3’s with the minutes he is given.   How efficient? Could Kyle Wiltjer be the most efficient and effective true bench player at Kentucky for at least a decade? Let’s take a look…

First, I am defining “true” bench player as someone who (1) does not start on a regular basis and (2) averages less than 20 minutes per game.

Kyle Wiltjer currently averages 0.065 made 3’s per minute played. That rate is the highest of any UK bench player since Rashaad Carruth in 2001-02. Carruth’s rate was 0.082 made 3’s per minute played. However, Carruth’s 3-point percentage was 35.1% while Wiltjer is at 38.1%. What we see here is that we have to go back an entire decade to find a player with a higher rate of made 3’s per minute played than Wiltjer, but that particular player’s 3FG% is a full 3% lower than Wiltjer. It’s also worth noting that Carruth only made 27 threes on the season. Wiltjer currently has 24 with several games to go. If Wiltjer’s rate continues and UK runs the remaining table, he is on pace to make 34 triples. Based on a better 3FG% and likely more made 3’s, I’d say that Wiltjer gets the nod over Carruth.

The next closest challenger to Kyle Wiltjer is Ravi Moss in 2004-05 and in 2005-6. Both seasons, Moss averaged under 20 minutes per game. In 2004-04, Moss’ rate was 0.056 made 3’s per minute played. Moss shot 38.6%, going 22/57. In this particular season, Wiltjer had a better rate per minute played, but Moss had a 3FG% that was better by 0.6%. In 2004-05, Moss also made less 3’s than Wiltjer. In 2005-06, Moss’ rate was again 0.056 made 3’s per minute played. Moss shot 35.5%, on 38/107. In 2005-06, Wiltjer has a better rate and 3FG%, but Moss had more made 3’s, even if Wiltjer makes it to 39 games and the projected 34 made 3’s. Based on both seasons, I’d have to give a very slight edge to Kyle Wiltjer.

There are a couple of players in the last decade who averaged 2-3 minutes over 20 minutes per game who made more 3’s than Wiltjer, but they still had a lesser rate of made 3’s per minute played and a lower 3FG%. In 2006-07, Jodie Meeks and Bobby Perry fit into this category. Even if we made concessions for Meeks averaging 22.1 mpg and Perry averaging 23.2 mpg, Wiltjer has a better rate of made 3 per minute played. Meeks’ rate was 0.059 and Perry’s rate was 0.048. At 38.1%, Wiltjer also has a better 3FG% than both. Meeks’ stood at 36.4% and Perry stood at 37.6%.

It’s important that Kentucky fans realize exactly what a gift it is to have Kyle Wiltjer coming off the bench to shoot 3’s. While close, Kyle Wiltjer has quickly built a resume worth of calling him the most efficient 3-point shooter to truly come off the bench at Kentucky in at least a decade. That’s some special stuff.