(2023) - SG Jakai Newton to INDIANA

[lillurk 3,738]

I hope the extended time recovering has Newton right. He’s one of the big reasons for optimism in the program going forward if so, I think.

[ElectricBoogaloo 4,307]

On 3/23/2024 at 11:06 PM, lillurk said:

I hope the extended time recovering has Newton right. He’s one of the big reasons for optimism in the program going forward if so, I think.

I can't share this optimism. Two years of knee issues makes me wonder if he will ever contribute more than spot minutes.

[HoosierHoopster 6,845]

19 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

I can't share this optimism. Two years of knee issues makes me wonder if he will ever contribute more than spot minutes.

Maybe, maybe not. I’ve watched lots of guys get past torn ACL’s, meniscus tears, and continue on well. Have also seen one of my favorite young Hoosiers fracture both knees and never be the same player, so unfortunate. Here’s to hoping his body bounces back well.

[Demo 19,664]

1 minute ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Maybe, maybe not. I’ve watched lots of guys get past torn ACL’s, meniscus tears, and continue on well. Have also seen one of my favorite young Hoosiers fracture both knees and never be the same player, so unfortunate. Here’s to hoping his body bounces back well.

I’m not unbiased on Newton. Love him. Great kid. Great family. Maybe my favorite offerree to watch in the last few classes. Before he got hurt he was 1 and 1A with a kid who’s about to be a 1 and done lottery pick. Rooting like hell for him. If het gets back to 90% or better he can change the calculus of this team. If he doesn’t it’s a crying freaking shame because pre-injury Newton was a pro. 

[HoosierHoopster 6,845]

1 minute ago, Demo said:

I’m not unbiased on Newton. Love him. Great kid. Great family. Maybe my favorite offerree to watch in the last few classes. Before he got hurt he was 1 and 1A with a kid who’s about to be a 1 and done lottery pick. Rooting like hell for him. If het gets back to 90% or better he can change the calculus of this team. If he doesn’t it’s a crying freaking shame because pre-injury Newton was a pro. 

Reminds me of the kid I was referring to, Mo Creek, kid torched UK, highest scoring frosh at the time, and then came that first knee injury. Real crying shame, loved his game

[Demo 19,664]

5 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Reminds me of the kid I was referring to, Mo Creek, kid torched UK, highest scoring frosh at the time, and then came that first knee injury. Real crying shame, loved his game

Creek’s UK game is the most criminally under-appreciated performance in IUBB history. He was freaking awesome. 

[8bucks 6,352]

https://indiana.rivals.com/news/jakai-newton-could-be-one-of-iu-s-future-leaders-waiting-in-the-wings
 

quick update. Some video too. Would love for him to stay healthy 

[HoosierHoopster 6,845]

16 hours ago, 8bucks said:

https://indiana.rivals.com/news/jakai-newton-could-be-one-of-iu-s-future-leaders-waiting-in-the-wings
 

quick update. Some video too. Would love for him to stay healthy 

Nice story and he does look fluid and skilled in those short clips. I’m a glass half full guy, I’ll bet on his return and surprise impact.

[Ryno6284 2,565]

Don’t be sleeping’ on Jakai!

[Stuhoo 79,787]

42 minutes ago, Ryno6284 said:

Don’t be sleeping’ on Jakai!

Oh man.

This is as good as it gets. Jakai Newton is healthy, playing with Myles Rice - his friend since middle school, he's looking forward to whomping Purdue, and as long as Mike Woodson is at IU, Jakai Newton is at IU. Says he is 100% healthy and 100% a Hoosier. Not 90, 100% healthy.

A must watch.

[ElectricBoogaloo 4,307]

12 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Oh man.

This is as good as it gets. Jakai Newton is healthy, playing with Myles Rice - his friend since middle school, he's looking forward to whomping Purdue, and as long as Mike Woodson is at IU, Jakai Newton is at IU. Says he is 100%. Not 90, 100.

A must watch.

To be fair, in every preseason of every sport you hear guys coming off injury say this. "Healthiest I've ever been" and "best shape of my life" and all the other platitudes. Time will tell.

[steubenhoosier 801]

7 minutes ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

To be fair, in every preseason of every sport you hear guys coming off injury say this. "Healthiest I've ever been" and "best shape of my life" and all the other platitudes. Time will tell.

Understand your hesitancy, but with an injury requiring microfracture surgery ( and I had that surgery) at this stage of his recovery, 90% is mental. Having confidence that your leg is going to hold up to the stress of playing. If in his head he's 100%, that's going to make him play much more instinctively than if he has doubts that hold him back

[Artie86 1,869]

1 hour ago, Ryno6284 said:

Don’t be sleeping’ on Jakai!

….I think she be flirtin’ a little! Lol

[HoosierHoopster 6,845]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

Oh man.

This is as good as it gets. Jakai Newton is healthy, playing with Myles Rice - his friend since middle school, he's looking forward to whomping Purdue, and as long as Mike Woodson is at IU, Jakai Newton is at IU. Says he is 100% healthy and 100% a Hoosier. Not 90, 100% healthy.

A must watch.

Oh yeah, I watched it through.

Listen, this kid is really, really good. Because of his injury people aren't talking about him. But man, if he is 100% as he says, watch out. And yeah, this interview speaks volumes. Great kid, get a real feel for the positive energy coming into the season, the already existing player relationships and unity, and the promise of legit talent. I'm hyped for Newton.

[Demo 19,664]

2 hours ago, Artie86 said:

….I think she be flirtin’ a little! Lol

I imagine it’s good to be Jakai.

[Demo 19,664]

Turns 19 today. Got to confess, it feels a little strange now that these kids are younger than my youngest.

[Napleshoosier 10,150]

On 4/29/2024 at 10:48 AM, Artie86 said:

….I think she be flirtin’ a little! Lol

She flirts with all of them.  Watch the one with Miles. Lol

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 8,924]

6 minutes ago, Demo said:

Turns 19 today. Got to confess, it feels a little strange now that these kids are younger than my youngest.

ohhh so he's even young for his grade. Nice nice. 

[Demo 19,664]

7 minutes ago, btownqb said:

ohhh so he's even young for his grade. Nice nice. 

It seems to be a Georgia thing. Several of the Georgia kids IU’s offered have been young for the class. Wilkins was really young. He’ll play his entire freshman year at Georgia as a 17yo. Rice is going into his 4th year of college and I believe he’s not 21 yet.

[HoosierHoopster 6,845]

2 hours ago, Demo said:

It seems to be a Georgia thing. Several of the Georgia kids IU’s offered have been young for the class. Wilkins was really young. He’ll play his entire freshman year at Georgia as a 17yo. Rice is going into his 4th year of college and I believe he’s not 21 yet.

Could be GA schools start earlier by age - I started school / 1st grade in NH, which starts a year younger/earlier than IN, grew up mostly in IN, a year younger than my classmates