LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kyler Filewich doesn't go to the free-throw line looking for style points, just those that count on the scoreboard for Wofford. That's why the 6-foot-9 center from Winnipeg, Manitoba, asked coaches for tips, leading him to switch from the traditional shot attempt to a throwback style. Bedrock method? The granny shot, renowned for its effectiveness and taught by none other than Basketball Hall of Fame member Rick Barry.
During his basketball journey at Wofford, Filewich noticed his free-throw percentage was not quite what he wanted. Last season, this statistic tallied at a mere 31.6%. Seeking to enhance this area of his game, Filewich reached out for assistance. His request garnered interest, and soon he was under the tutelage of Barry, who offered personal training during a visit to Spartanburg, South Carolina. Barry’s credentials speak volumes as he ranks as the best free-throw shooter in NBA history.
“People don’t realize Rick Barry is the best free-throw shooter statistically in NBA history. So to your point, if you’re going to learn from somebody, you definitely want to learn from the best,” emphasized Wofford coach Dwight Perry.
Filewich switched to granny-style shooting around early February 2025 and began to see some improvement. In a few games, he was able to go 4 for 6 and then 6 for 10 from the line, putting him on a path that seemed more promising than his previous results. Just before the Southern Conference title game, the center noted, “I haven’t necessarily always had the success that I wanted. But I feel like I’m pretty confident in it.” His confidence shone through in crunch time as he stepped up to the line late in the title game.
In the final minutes of that game, Filewich made two crucial free-throws to help secure a five-point lead for the Terriers. This feat illustrated his growing confidence and determination, despite the underlying statistic that he remained Wofford's worst free-throw shooter at that moment with a 31.8% rate. With the Terriers preparing to face the formidable No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-7) in the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Region on March 20, 2025, all eyes will be on Filewich to see if he can rise to the occasion against higher stakes opponents.
In the SoCon title game, Filewich did battle with mixed results, shooting 3 of 7 from the line. His performance included a shaky start of 1 of 5, but he turned things around when it mattered. Reflecting back, he conveyed his training experience with Barry: “It was great working with Rick Barry. I’m super thankful for him taking his time out to show me how it’s done.”
Not only did the 6-foot-9 center make strides individually, but the entire Wofford team benefited from Barry’s insights during his visit. Coach Perry observed, “To Kyler’s credit, he’s been fully bought in, and I think it’s allowed him to do what we wanted it to do, was to keep him being confident and aggressive on both sides of the floor.”
As Wofford approaches its NCAA Tournament game, the stakes have never been higher. “I know I can make ’em,” Filewich said about his free-throw shooting. “I make them at a high clip in practice.” Whether the granny shot will lead to success in front of an audience remains to be seen, but Kyler Filewich's resolve is undeniable.
