C.J. Fair: 6 Reasons the Forward Is so Effective for Syracuse Orange Basketball

Syracuse Orange forward C.J. Fair has has been playing like an All-American off the bench for Jim Boeheim's No. 2-ranked squad.

He's not quick with the ball, doesn't have an array of moves and doesn't have a strong build. He primarily drives to his left and isn't a great ball-handler.

So how does the 6'8" forward get the job done and thrive in the Big East?

Here are six keys to Fair's success.

Weak-Side Defense

C.J. Fair is an extremely valuable asset to the 2-3 zone. He maintains good positioning and can cover the corner and the wing effectively.

He doesn't get a ton of blocks, but that can partially be attributed to his great footwork. He gets in such good position to begin with that opponents don't get clean looks.

On defense, players are taught to keep their head on a swivel and know where the ball is in relation to them. Fair does a great job of this and has a sharp awareness of where the ball is in relation to his zone.

Mid-Range Game

One aspect of C.J. Fair's game that's helped him become a more potent threat to opponents is his mid-range jumper.

He likes the baseline jump shot and takes it with confidence. Once in a while, he'll take a three-pointer to keep defenses honest.

Now that foes have to respect Fair's mid-range game, it stretches out the defense and provides more lanes for him and his teammates.

Adept Rebounder

Fair is Syracuse's best natural rebounder, and without him, they would be doomed on the glass.

He works to get in position, has extremely good timing on the caroms and has a nose for the ball.

His 11-rebound effort against Florida and his 12-rebound outing against Connecticut show what he's capable of even against big front lines.

Offensive Efficiency

Even though he's not the most skilled offensive player, C.J. Fair makes the most of his touches.

His involvement in the offense has increased dramatically from last year to this year, yet he's still keeping his turnovers to a minimum. In fact, he's had 10 games with zero turnovers this season.

Other keys to Fair's efficiency are his shot selection and free-throw shooting. He takes high-percentage looks from the field, and when he gets fouled, he's converting from the charity stripe more than ever. 

Right Place, Right Time

In basketball, a great deal of success can be garnered simply by being at the right place at the right time.

C.J. Fair has the kind of instincts and feel for the game that help him get to the right place on the court.

He anticipates guards penetrating and knows to get to the block for a finish. He's almost stealth-like in his ability to sneak behind the defense for alley-oops. Lastly, and most importantly, he knows where to be on defense and when to attack the glass.

Good Hands

Whether it's rebounds, alley-oops, loose balls or tough passes to handle, C.J. Fair has the mitts to make the most of the situation.

He's probably got the best hands on the team. His deft touch around the glass helps him snare boards and get difficult putbacks.

When there's a scramble for a loose ball, Fair is often the one who ends up with it and gives the Orange another possession.