Indiana

More confident Isaiah Jackson ready to occasionally stretch the floor in bigger role with Indiana Pacers

Published

3 months ago

October 17, 2024

More confident Isaiah Jackson ready to occasionally stretch the floor in bigger role with Indiana Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS — As the Indiana Pacers were battling the Cleveland Cavaliers during preseason action last week, Bennedict Mathurin found himself in traffic in the lane. His attack was shut down. Thankfully, he had a safe passing option available that wasn’t typically there before. His teammate Isaiah Jackson, a bouncy center, popped open into space just above the free throw line.

It wasn’t much, but it was noticeable to see. Jackson usually does his damage right around the basket, and he will again in the coming season. Yet at that moment, after handling the pass from Mathurin, Jackson launched a jumper from the elbow and drilled it.

The NBA logged the shot as a 17-foot attempt. A few days later, when the Memphis Grizzlies were in Indianapolis for preseason action, Jackson knocked down a fadeaway jumper from the opposite elbow. It was registered as a 15-foot shot.

That means Jackson has already knocked down two attempts from 15 feet away or further this preseason. He only did that twice in the entire 2023-24 campaign. While it’s unlikely Jackson is asked to be much of a jump shooter, he has already shown a willingness to take, and make, shots from deeper distances.

“I’m trying to stretch the floor a little bit this year. This year I’ve been working on my jump shot with (assistant coach) Jenny [Boucek],” Jackson said. At the very first practice of training camp, Jackson could be seen getting up threes in a drill that involves shooting from five different spots beyond the arc.

Boucek has helped many players improve their jump shot. Andrew Nembhard worked with the assistant last year, and T.J. McConnell went from largely a non-shooter to a fine-enough finisher from deep. That McConnell path is what Jackson hopes to copy. Boucek has done this before.

“She taught me a lot this year. Just the confidence I have in my shot now, it feels way smoother than how it was in previous years,” Jackson said of his work with Boucek. “She helped me elevate it to where I can shoot the ball with confidence. I feel confident. It’s going to help the team, it’s going to help me… it’s going to expand my game a lot,” he added.

“She’s helped a lot of our guys [with shooting],” head coach Rick Carlisle said of Boucek and her ability to train jump shooting. He likes having one voice on the staff handle that role. “She has a lot of creative ways to get [players] to feel things about their shot. She’s a real positive teacher.”

A large part of Jackson’s development last season came as a result of efficiency improvements. His true shooting percentage reached nearly 70%, and he was lights out around the basket. He should continue to be someone who primarily attacks from the charge circle and in.

Isaiah Jackson Indiana Pacers vs Memphis Grizzlies

Oct 14, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) blocks the shot of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15) in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

But adding range never hurts, especially in the scenario like the one described with Mathurin. Jackson bailed his teammate out of a tough situation and earned two points. It’s a nice potential addition to Jackson’s game if it translates to the regular season.

There’s more to the upcoming campaign than that for the young big man, though. He’s in year four of his career and currently eligible for a contract extension — and he will be a free agent next summer without a new deal by early next week. He needs a big season and wants his motor to be a weapon again.

“Trying to keep a high motor,” he said of what he hopes for himself this year. With his promotion to backup center after the departure of Jalen Smith, Jackson will play more often this year. If starter Myles Turner is injured, Jackson could play big minutes. He needs to be in great shape to be active and mobile all year long.

In the offseason, Jackson went to Dallas, Texas to visit with Turner and reserve center James Wiseman. They discussed the responsibilities of being a center on the Pacers roster and the things they’ll need to do to be successful this season. The group stressed accountability with each other. Jackson called it a “dope” experience.

It’s another moment that has him ready for a big year. It’s the first time he is undoubtedly the backup five, and he’s got money to play for. The Pacers need him to be good, too — he’s young and still growing, but the team is ready to win and compete every night.

“This is year four. I know it’s what I’m coming into this year, which is playing hard,” the Kentucky product said earlier during training camp.

Jackson was great in the postseason last year, which boosted his confidence. He knows he is a playoff player when the time comes, something young players need to prove. Without a jump shot, he was still effective thanks to his speed and athleticism on both ends, and he flipped in shot after shot in the lane, particularly against the New York Knicks.

He brought energy to those games on a big stage. And now, he’ll have the chance to do it with an improved jump shot. Jackson is moving into a bigger role for a team looking to contend — his growth and success this season will be important for the Pacers. He averaged 6.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 2023-24.

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Indiana

CenterPoint Energy provides update on winter storm impacts in Indiana

Published

4 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

CenterPoint Energy provides update on winter storm impacts in Indiana

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Significant winter weather in CenterPoint Energy’s southwestern Indiana service area has caused widespread electric outages due to heavy ice and snow.

According to a press release, outages have increased steadily through Sunday evening, with approximately 5,000 customers without power at 5:30 p.m. to approximately 37,700 as of 9:30 p.m.

The increase in outages is largely due to ice accumulation and falling tree limbs impacting power lines.

Officials say crews have been working to assess damage and restore power as quickly and as safely as possible and have restored approximately 4,300 customers.

CenterPoint has deployed internal, contractor and mutual aid resources to assist with power restoration efforts.

Additional crews arrived Sunday morning and early afternoon and received onboarding and training to be deployed as soon as needed.

In restoring power, the company says they are prioritizing facilities vital to safety, health and welfare, such as hospitals, water treatment plants and public service facilities.

After addressing these critical needs, crews will focus on repairs that restore power to the largest number of customers first, continuing until all customers have power restored.

CenterPoint’s Vice President, Indiana Electric Shane Bradford released the following statement:

“Conditions across southwestern Indiana have been challenging due to ice accumulation and freezing rain. Our crews are working safely and making steady restoration progress, but the weather is creating recurring outages in some areas shortly after power is restored, as additional tree limbs and ice impact power lines. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers as we work to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. As hazardous conditions continue, crews are prioritizing safety as weather continues to impact our service area.”

CenterPoint’s natural gas system is operating as normal, and crews remain prepared to respond to any potential issues that may arise during the ongoing winter weather.

Click here to see the CenterPoint outage map.

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Indiana

Man killed in northwest Indiana house fire

Published

11 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Man killed in northwest Indiana house fire

One person died in a house fire on Sunday morning in LaPorte County, Indiana, authorities said.

According to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, at around 7:06 a.m., deputies responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of South Longshore Drive near Fish Lake. Deputies approached the house, where “excessive smoke prevented them from safely entering to search for any occupants inside.”

Once the fire had been extinguished, first responders entered the residence and found one person who had died. The resident was identified as 64-year-old Ronald Conrad.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation on Sunday.

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Indiana

At the Buzzer: Indiana 77, Penn State 71

Published

19 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

At the Buzzer: Indiana 77, Penn State 71

Quick thoughts on a 77-71 win against Penn State at the Palestra:

How it happened

It was a sharp start on both ends for Indiana on Sunday afternoon at the Palestra. The Hoosiers took care of the ball, hit the offensive boards and hit a couple of early perimeter shots to build an early 17-14 advantage. But as IU went to its bench, the offense waned, the turnovers increased and the Hoosiers managed just 12 points over the final 12:14 of the half. Fortunately, Penn State struggled, too. The Nittany Lions didn’t make a 3-pointer in the first half, shot just three free throws and didn’t make a field goal over the final 6:29 of the opening 20 minutes. With Malik Reneau unavailable due to injury, Oumar Ballo was the focal point of the Hosier offense and was sometimes unstoppable. Ballo had 14 points and nine rebounds in 16 first-half minutes.

Mackenzie Mgbako scored eight points in less than a minute to start the second half, forcing Penn State to take an early timeout with the Hoosiers leading 37-29. By the under-16 media timeout, Indiana’s lead was 44-33 after the Hoosiers made three 3-pointers before the timeout. After Penn State cut the lead to eight at 47-39, Indiana went on an 11-4 run to make it a 58-43 advantage with 11:34 remaining. The Hoosiers stretched the lead to 16 on a Trey Galloway 3-pointer with 10:20 left. But Penn State scored the next six points to pull within 10 at 61-51 at the 9:05 mark. Mgbako’s third 3-pointer of the second half stretched the lead to 11 with 7:39 remaining, but Oumar Ballo picked up his fourth foul on the next possession and had to go to the bench.

After Penn State cut the lead to four at 65-61 on a Nick Kern Jr. 3-pointer, Indiana brought Ballo back in and the big man converted a 3-point play to make it 68-61 with 5:25 remaining. By the final media timeout, Indiana’s lead was 69-63. Penn State had a chance to cut it to one possession with under 2:15 left, but Galloway got a key steal and took the team’s last timeout with the Hoosiers leading 73-68 with 2:04 to go. Out of the timeout, IU turned it over, Penn State hit a 3-pointer to make it 73-71 and Rice didn’t get the ball past halfcourt, giving Penn State the ball with 1:32 left. Zach Hicks missed a 3-pointer that would have given the Nittany Lions the lead and on the ensuing possession, Mgbako was fouled with 42.7 seconds left. Mgbako made both free throws to make it 75-71, Hicks missed a 3-pointer on Penn State’s next possession and Rice made two free throws to seal the win for Indiana.

Standout performers

Ballo led Indiana with 25 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots in 32 minutes. Mgbako finished with 20 points in 31 minutes. Luke Goode made three 3-pointers and finished with 12 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes. And Rice had nine points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes.

Statistics that stand out

Indiana went 9-for-23 on 3s (39.1 percent) and 16-for-22 from the free throw line (72.7 percent). The Hoosiers turned it over just 14 times. Penn State opponents were averaging 17 per game entering the contest.