Senior guard Chendall Weaver would shoot the ball from beyond the arc 500 to 1,000 times in a typical summer workout.

“I’ll say a good percentage,” Weaver jokingly responded when asked how many of those threes he would make.

Despite the many threes he took in his practices, Weaver is not the typical, flashy high-scoring guard.

Instead, fans have seen Weaver speeding down the court the last two seasons, using his athleticism to provide a defensive presence with rebounds and steals.

Texas men’s basketball head coach Sean Miller knew this even before he stepped onto the Forty Acres, coaching against him in last year’s First Four matchup in the NCAA Tournament between Texas and Xavier. 

In that game, Weaver came off the bench and played more than two starters. He scored seven points with two assists, while producing three rebounds and three steals in an 80-86 loss.

“Chendall Weaver is one of our best players. I don’t know if the outside world really understands the talented basketball player he is because he missed so much time last year,” Miller said. “When we were preparing to play Texas in the spring in the (NCAA) tournament, there were two different teams. There was the team that you watched without Chendall, then there was a team with Chendall, and you could really see how he impacted winning.”

Suffering from a groin injury during a Jan. 7 game against Auburn, Weaver did not see the court for 15 games, all of which came during Southeastern Conference play. Fast forward to present day and Miller is Weaver’s head coach on the Forty Acres, while Weaver is returning to Texas after his injury-riddled junior season.

“(My injury) helped me a little bit just to get my focus back,” Weaver said. “I feel like being injured was a blessing.”

Now back onto the court for his senior campaign, Weaver is preparing his body to stay on the court while also taking the next step in his development — three-point shooting.

Throughout his college career, including his freshman year at UT-Arlington, Weaver has only averaged 1.6 three-point attempts, making 35.7% of shots from range. 

However, fans could see more of Weaver taking shots from further out this upcoming season. 

“I’m taking all the open (three-point shots). I can prove you that,” Weaver said when asked how many three-point shots per game. “I would say maybe three to four a game. I’m not going to force it.”

Weaver has also gained ten pounds, with Miller believing it will aid him in his fast-paced playstyle to be more “durable and physical.” Miller is hopeful that Weaver will have a good year shooting beyond the arc but knows that his two-way ability makes him an impactful player.

“It’s not points per game with him, although I do think he’s a capable, consistent scorer. It’s everything else he does,” Miller said. “His ability to make plays on defense. A steal, a block, fly around the court and impact a lot of different plays. I think he’s best in transition.”

Weaver and the Longhorns return to the court in less than a month at the Dick Vitale Invitational, taking on college basketball blue blood Duke on Nov. 4.

“We played in Charlotte,” Weaver said, “it’s a great environment and I’m going to love it.”