Indiana
Final Grades: Breaking Down Trayce Jackson-Davis’ 2022 Season With Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana’s school basketball fortunes rotated within the 2021-22 season, and an enormous purpose why stemmed from a brief assembly in early April between new coach Mike Woodson and star heart Trayce Jackson-Davis. Woodson wished him to attend on his NBA aspirations and spend one other yr getting higher. In a matter of minutes, Jackson-Davis mentioned sure.
It labored. Jackson-Davis, a 6-foot-9 left-hander from Greenwood, Ind., was already fairly good. He had led the Hoosiers in scoring his first two years, and did the identical this season, averaging 18.3 factors per recreation. He now has 1,588 profession factors, which is sweet for No. 15 all-time within the Indiana faculty scoring record.
He confirmed enchancment and added lots to his recreation, particularly on the defensive finish. He was, with out query, Indiana’s finest participant and he had an enormous end to the season after a February stoop. He made plenty of memorable moments, like scoring 43 factors towards Marshall in November, probably the most factors scored in a recreation within the 50-year historical past of Meeting Corridor. It was the Tenth-highest scoring efficiency at school historical past.
He scored 20 factors or extra 12 occasions, and topped 30 4 occasions. He had 10 double-doubles, and 81 blocked pictures, excess of the 38 he had a yr.
There have been plenty of steps in the best route for Jackson-Davis, and plenty of memorable moments. There have been some down moments too, however the March bounce-back from them was throughly fulfilling.
Here is a breakdown of his season, what I preferred and did not like, his finest recreation and future prospects and – after all – his remaining grade.
There’s additionally a terrific video chat with HoosiersNow.com video director Haley Jordan, so test that out as nicely.
Trayce Jackson-Davis by the numbers
- Video games performed: 35 of 35
- Video games began: 35 of 35
- Common minutes: 32.3 (first on group)
- Factors per recreation: 18.3 (first on group)
- Rebounds per recreation: 8.1 (first on group)
- Assists per recreation: 1.9 (second on group)
- Steals per recreation: 0.6 (fifth on group)
- Blocks per recreation: 2.3 (first on group)
- Subject purpose share: 58.9 (246-for-418)
- 3-point share: 0.0 (0-for-3)
- Free throw share: 67.4 (147-for-214)
What I preferred
There was lots to love about Jackson-Davis’ junior season at Indiana, beginning with the truth that it even occurred in any respect. He performed for Archie Miller for 2 years, and posted some numbers however did not win plenty of video games. He did not look comfortable.
Deciding to stay round and play for Woodson was an enormous deal, as a result of it gave Indiana an opportunity to be good. They usually have been. Not nice, however good. And Jackson-Davis was the large purpose why they have been good. Not nice, however superb.
Going from 12 wins to 21 was particular. He had big video games in a number of massive wins, the 43 towards Marshall, the 27 in an enormous house win towards Ohio State, the 23 to interrupt a protracted street shedding streak at Nebraska and a Massive Ten Event run for the ages, the place he had 24 and 21 factors in upset wins over Michigan and Illinois, and 31 within the heartbreaking semifinals loss to Iowa. He had 29 factors in Indiana’s NCAA Event win over Wyoming, the varsity’s first tourney win since 2016.
Even in just a few losses, he had massive video games, 31 at Syracuse, 30 in a troublesome house loss to Wisconsin that slipped away. The 31 towards Iowa within the Massive Ten Event was loopy spectacular, solely to be upstaged by Jordan Bohannon’s silly half-court heave on the buzzer to win.
Jackson-Davis’ purpose was to return again and play in massive video games at Indiana, and he did simply that in March. He benefited an important deal from enjoying for Woodson and his workers. He added lots to his recreation, turning into a terrific inside defender and shot-blocker and including extra submit strikes, particularly to his proper, and extra spin strikes and aggressive drives to the ring, even together with his proper hand.
What would not present up on the stat sheet is his development as a frontrunner on this group. He interacted so nicely all yr, with each teammates and coaches. He and finest buddy Race Thompson performed off of one another nicely within the paint. He saved pushing and nurturing the younger gamers, and was a mentor to them as nicely.
There have been moments, massive and small, that resonated all year long. He turned an important chief. I will not neglect him saddling as much as Khristian Lander throughout the guard’s postgame interview at Maryland and placing his arm round his shoulders as Lander answered questions. Jackson-Davis by no means mentioned a phrase, simply held on to his teammate and smiled, like a superb massive brother. That second meant the world to Lander.
He did plenty of good issues, on and off the ground.
Nevertheless it wasn’t excellent, not by any means. There are nonetheless gaps in his recreation, and there was a nasty stretch in February that took a number of the shine off of his season.
What I did not like
Throughout Indiana’s swoon in February, the place they went 2-7 in a troublesome nine-game stretch and misplaced give video games in a row at one level, Jackson-Davis struggled mightily on his personal. In 4 of the losses, he was simply 15-for-44 from the sphere, a mere 34 p.c.
He additionally tended to be a non-factor late in video games, and after I put all of the end-of-game numbers collectively for a narrative, it was gorgeous how little he bought carried out late in video games. Defenses had one thing to do with that, as a result of he bought double-teamed typically, however he additionally deferred to teammates too typically, and plenty of occasions they let him down with poor perimeter play.
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However he additionally missed plenty of in-close pictures, and admitted he was slumping and in a funk in February. When he could not make pictures by means of site visitors on the rim — I so want he would be taught to make use of the backboard extra — he did not produce other choices in his recreation. No mid-range jumper, no three-point menace to unfold out a protection. There have been limits to his repertoire, for positive.
He was a middle, a submit participant and never a lot else, which is why I name him a middle as an alternative of a ahead on this story. Just a few days after the story on his end-of-game struggles, I additionally wrote a column questioning whether or not Mike Woodson had let him down by not including that perimeter choice to his combine. Woodson mentioned he makes these mid-range jumpers in apply, however Jackson-Davis mentioned enjoying inside was what Woodson wished. There was a little bit disconnect there, regardless of all the expansion that they had as a duo.
The nice far outweighed the dangerous, after all, however he actually left us wishing for extra this season.
Finest recreation
There are plenty of ”finest video games” to select from for Jackson-Davis this season. He was that good. There have been many moments when he was merely unstoppable, particularly when groups thought they might get by with single protection on him. Nobody can guard him one-on-one constantly.
It is arduous to not select the Nov. 27 Marshall recreation, when he set an Meeting Corridor scoring file with 43 factors. Within the iconic 50-year historical past of that constructing, nobody had ever carried out that earlier than. There have been many different nice moments, however for me, one actually stands out.
And his ”finest recreation” was actually a ”finest half,” as a result of what he did towards Michigan within the Massive Ten Event was basic. Indiana’s postseason life was on the road within the 8-9 recreation within the second spherical, and the Hoosiers have been down 17 factors. However led by Jackson-Davis, they went on a 28-4 run and bought an enormous victory to maintain their season alive. He had 12 factors within the run, plus a number of blocks pictures.
It was his finest second as a result of it mattered probably the most. Indiana would not play within the NCAA Event with out this win and, because it turned out, its win the following day towards No. 1 seed Illinois. Jackson-Davis was nice then, too, as he was within the semifinal loss to Iowa.
That postseason stardom solidified his greatness on an enormous stage. It made the postseason run of a week-plus loopy fulfilling. That half, although, it was career-defining for positive, as a result of it made these earlier late-game struggles moot.
Future prospects
Properly, this can be a the nice unknown proper now. Jackson-Davis has entered his identify into the 2022 NBA Draft course of, however he has till June 1 to withdraw and return to school. He has mentioned he needs to get all the data he can throughout this course of the place he can interview and work out for groups, however there may be nonetheless an opportunity that he returns to Indiana.
Personally, I believe there is a good probability that also occurs, coming again to Bloomington. He actually loved enjoying for Woodson final yr, and he loves his teammates. With a top-five recruiting class coming in, ought to Jackson-Davis return, Indiana simply could be Massive Ten favorites. Jackson-Davis, a local Hoosier, would like to have a Massive Ten title on his resume.
It solely takes one NBA group to love him, not 30, so we’ll see the way it all performs out. He added lots to his recreation this yr, and he can add extra. For egocentric causes, I might like to see him come again as a result of it might make Indiana so significantly better. He is additionally a pleasure to look at and a pleasure to work with. He is an important interview, all the time trustworthy and forthright together with his solutions, and a superb child to be round.
We’ll know quickly sufficient.
Remaining Grade: A-minus
A-minus: That is the primary of 14 report playing cards, and on virtually all of them, it was powerful to give you a remaining grade, bouncing backwards and forwards between a spread of grades.
It is no completely different with Trayce. He did plenty of fantastic issues this yr and there’s no denying that he is a terrific participant. Indiana’s finest, for positive. I vacillated between an A-minus as a B-plus for a number of causes. The February swoon, actually, was a difficulty. The shortage of affect late in video games was, too.
However details are details, and he had plenty of nice video games. In many of the video games the place his numbers have been low, it was due to fixed double groups and, let’s be frank, his personal teammates let him down by not making perimeter pictures.
I watched him rating 43 factors at Meeting Corridor and I have been watching video games there for the reason that constructing opened. Nobody has EVER carried out that earlier than. I watched him be THE BEST PLAYER within the Massive Ten Event for 3 straight days. I watched him rating 29 factors in an NCAA Event recreation, the primary one for the Indiana program since 2016.
Once I assume like a trainer typically, I give the advantage of the doubt when a grade is on the cusp. Trayce will get additional credit score for being an important teammate, an important chief and an important consultant of this program and this college.
So he get’s the A-minus and sure, heck sure, I hope he is again for one more yr to do much more.
NEXT UP: Indiana senior ahead Race Thompson.
Trayce Jackson Davis: Photographs all through the season
According to the NBA’s official transaction log, the Indiana Pacers re-signed guard Quenton Jackson to a two-way contract.
Jackson finished the 2023-24 season on a two-way deal with Indiana, and he played in three games for the Pacers after being signed in March. He averaged 0.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.
More of his appearances with the franchise came in the G League with the Indiana Mad Ants. He was only with the club for a month, but he led the team in scoring at 22.3 points per game while adding 4.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per outing. His ability to get to the rim and finish is impressive — he shot 55.6% from the field despite being just okay as a three-point shooter.
Because he popped somewhat, the blue and gold sent him a qualifying offer in June, which made him a restricted free agent. The Pacers had the chance to match offers from other teams, and Jackson could have signed that offer at any time.
On Friday, he re-signed with the Pacers on a two-way deal. Indiana had all three of its two-way slots open prior to the agreement, and they still have a pair available.
A two-way deal will make it easy for Jackson to split time between the Pacers and Mad Ants, should he remain on the contract. He just finished playing in summer league for Indiana, where he averaged 11 points and 4.2 assists per game.
The Pacers now have 16 players under contract including standard deals and two-way agreements.
Indiana
Tristen Newton struggles during summer league for Indiana Pacers, but should be able to be better in the future
LAS VEGAS — Tristen Newton had simple hopes for his first summer league: he wanted to leave an impression.
The rookie guard, who was drafted 49th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA Draft, showed a little bit of everything during his college days. At UConn, where he won two national titles, he was a capable rebounder, strong passer, and effective scorer. At his best, he knocked down threes.
There was prevalent thinking that a player like him could be effective during summer league. And yet, despite his wide-ranging talent in college, it was actually totally different skills that popped for Newton during the tune-up games: his ability to draw fouls.
Newton took 28 free throws in Las Vegas, which topped the Pacers by far. Nobody else on the roster even reached 20. He was one of just two players to average more than 5.5 free throw attempts per game in under 22 minutes per night (Moses Brown of the LA Lakers was the other).
Indiana’s rookie point guard finished summer league with a free throw rate of 70%, far better than his collegiate figure of 46.9%. He made 89.3% of those foul shots, which kept his efficiency afloat.
Newton’s game stood out in that way. His second-best skill was his passing in traffic — he averaged 4.6 assists per game, good for second on the team, and quite a few of them came in tight spaces. As a point guard, that skill will be important.
“Tristen Newton, tremendous [growth] from game one to game five,” Pacers summer league head coach Jannero Pargo said. “Understanding our offense more, playing more confident. Being able to call plays and run our sets and be more comfortable out there.”
Unfortunately for Newton, some of his other skills from his NCAA days didn’t translate to the Vegas heat. In particular, his shot making was a disaster, and that held down his effectiveness.
The rookie guard shot 8/40 from the field across his five games, good for just 20%. He was 4/22 from long range (18.2%) and a not-much-better 4/18 (22.2%) on two-point looks. Shot distance and location didn’t matter — Newton struggled.
Taking 22 threes in five games in solid, and volume transfers more often from summer league than percentage. That’s the bright side for the young guard. But those field goals did not drop, and his ability to create good looks inside the arc didn’t pop.
Newton did grab 3.8 rebounds per game, a fine number for a guard, but he also had 2.8 turnovers per night. At times, he looked rushed and gave up the ball too quickly. He didn’t get all the way to the rim on his drives.
In those ways, Newton needed to be better. His defense was fine enough and he got his hands on a few steals, but the disappointing play finishing really hindered his effectiveness during summer league.
The Pacers liked that Newton was a more established player when they selected him in the draft. His play during summer league shouldn’t deter that thinking — if anything, the context around his summer outings should provide important perspective.
Newton played for a UConn team in 2022-23 that got up threes and had multiple players capable of setting the table for others. He performed well, and the team was great. In the following season, the Huskies dramatically changed their play style. There were fewer outside shots, and Newton’s playmaking burden grew.
He was extremely effective in both systems, which is why he was an All-Big East player and consensus All-American. He can adapt to any team when he gets time within a style and with a coaching staff.
In summer league, there is no time. Newton still hadn’t been drafted one month ago today. He went through a minicamp that was less than a week long, then was thrown into action. It didn’t always look great, though there were successes.
His free throw rate was extremely encouraging, but the shots didn’t fall. His rebounding was effective, yet the turnovers were concerning. Overall, the lack of shot making made the experience a negative.
But it is still reasonable to believe that Newton can be a capable do-it-all floor general when given time and space to figure out how his shots will come and what his teammates do well. He did it twice at UConn, and he can do it again in the NBA. He very quickly left an impression on his new teammates.
“Trsiten and Johnny [Furphy] are great guys,” Pacers rookie forward Enrique Freeman said. Newton didn’t get off to an awesome start, but he should have little trouble being more effective in future settings.
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