BLOOMINGTON — Indiana is looking for extra manufacturing and perimeter punch from the capturing guard spot in 2022-23.
Final season, starter Parker Stewart, a switch from Tennessee-Martin, averaged 6.2 factors and a couple of.1 rebounds in 31 begins, capturing 37.4% from the sector and 39.3% from 3-point vary.
Stewart entered the switch portal this offseason and returned to UT-Martin, leaving a gap that must be crammed within the beginning lineup.
Right here’s a take a look at IU’s capturing guards going into the 2022-23 season:
THE COMPETITION
Returning sophomore Tamar Bates can be pushed by incoming freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino for the beginning job.
The 6-foot-5 Bates began his IU profession scorching, scoring in double figures in three of his first 9 video games, earlier than hitting a protracted hunch throughout Huge Ten play. He completed the 12 months averaging 3.9 factors and 1.3 rebounds whereas capturing 33.8% from the sector.
Hood-Schifino, additionally at 6-5, is an possibility if IU desires to go together with two level guards within the backcourt on the identical time. That might present extra flexibility with lineups, with both Hood-Schifino or level guard Xavier Johnson taking part in off the ball at completely different instances in the course of the sport.
THE FUTURE
Incoming freshman C.J. Gunn, a finalist for Indiana Mr. Basketball in 2022, averaged 23.5 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks in his senior season at Lawrence North.
Gunn developed extra of a fringe sport that might translate as a school freshman and at 6-5 has the dimensions, wingspan and athletic means to protect a number of positions in head coach Mike Woodson’s switching protection.
THE DEPTH
Anthony Leal, the 2020 Indiana Mr. Basketball, bided his time for 2 seasons whereas making an attempt to develop a extra constant sport. Now a junior, the 6-5, 205-pound Leal will get one other probability to show he deserves extra taking part in time.
Leal has averaged 1.8 factors in two seasons at IU in 11 minutes per sport whereas capturing 30.8% (16-of-52) from 3-point vary.
In highschool, Leal confirmed the flexibility to knock down a number of photographs from the perimeter, but it surely hasn’t translated to the faculty sport but. With a profession 38-18 assist-to-turnover ratio, Leal is wise with the basketball and is continuous to enhance on the defensive finish as effectively.