Q&A With OG Anunoby

[djsalway 4,161]

After having played in the Derby Festival Classic this past Saturday, Btownbanners.com had the opportunity to chat with OG Anunoby on why he chose Indiana, what his expectations are for next season, and how he fits in the Hoosiers’ system, along with quite a few other things.Question: Your commitment happened a long time ago now, but what made the Indiana Hoosiers stand out compared to the other teams you considered?
Answer: My connection with the coaching staff and players and the tradition of the team.

Q: What other offers did you have and was there another team that stood out or made it difficult to choose?
A: Iowa, Gonzaga, Georgia, Wichita State, Kansas State, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss. That's all I remember for now, but it was hard turning down the first three schools.

Q: What would you say are your strengths, as both a player and a teammate?
A: I would say athleticism, 3 point shooting, and defense, and as a teammate being unselfish and always supporting my teammates. I would also say passing is a strength of mine.

Q: Your weaknesses? What do you need to improve the most before the season starts in November?
A: Tightening up my ball handling, upper body strength and consistency in my shooting.

Q: Do you have a plan in place to improve those areas?
A: I plan to shoot 10,000 threes (similar to Troy) this summer and really, really work on my ball handling to the point I can play point guard.

Q: What do you believe you can contribute to the Hoosiers in your freshman year?
A: Being a versatile athletic wing that can shoot and play all over the floor offensively and defensively.

Q: In the past, IU has had some players your size play in the post. Have you ever played down low and are you comfortable doing so?
A: Yes I did on my AAU team last season and I'm comfortable doing it.

Q: Having played with the other two commits this past weekend (and playing against Juwan in the past), how would you assess what the impact of this class could be?
A: I think our class can make a great impact and do really big things.

Q: What is your relationship with the current team members? Have you been in contact with Yogi specifically, amid speculation that he could declare for the draft on April 25^th?
A: I'm pretty close with Rob, Devin, and Troy. I don’t know anything really (about the Yogi decision). I hope Yogi stays, but I know playing in the NBA is a dream of his as it is for me.

Q: When do you plan on coming to Bloomington this summer and what are you most looking forward to during your time at IU?
A: I’m coming in the middle of June and I'm looking forward to playing for a program with so much tradition and the opportunity to get better every day.

Q: Have you gotten any sense of the types of offensive sets the ‘15-‘16 team will run? Do you think your game translates well to an up-tempo style offense?
A: Yes I do. I like playing in transition and I really like shooting 3s.
Q: Are you looking forward to a certain game next year? What are your thoughts on going to the Maui Invitational in Hawaii in November?
A: I have yet to see the full schedule, but the Maui should be fun and when we play Iowa because I have some friends going to play there.

Q: What are your expectations for the team for next season?
A: I think we can win the Big Ten and also compete for a national championship. We will be really talented next year.

Q: What other sports did you play growing up?
A: I played soccer, baseball, and football.

Q: Do you have a favorite nickname?
A: No nickname yet.

Q: Have you thought about what number you will wear next year yet?
A: I will wear number 3.

Q: What is your favorite dunk to do?
A: Behind the back dunk is my favorite or any kind of between the legs.

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[WayneFleekHoosier 48,520]

Q: Do you have a plan in place to improve those areas?
A: I plan to shoot 10,000 threes (similar to Troy) this summer and really, really work on my ball handling to the point I can play point guard

Go for it OG!

Crean's words plastered all over that quote.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Great work as always DJ. Looking forward to watching what OG can do this down in Btown.

[Lt. John McClaine 541]

This kid is a very intriguing prospect, he's got great size, should be able to defend multiple positions, and might be a good shooter for us.  I'm very interested to see how this class turns out for IU, and we may look back on this class one day and see how it helped turn IU around. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 85,080]

Nice to read that 2 of his answers included the word 'tradition'.

[mdn82 25,510]

Good stuff right there.  I like the 4 year upside with this class so far (with Bryant potentially going pro sooner) with basketball IQ already.  There isn't a kid where you say he has to learn the game on campus.  They just have to worry about slowing the game down in their head.  

[Parakeet Jones 3,774]

I know CTC doesn't redshirt kids, but I think this kid would be a perfect candidate.

[WayneFleekHoosier 48,520]

Hey guys, did he mention he likes to shoot 3's?

[FortWayneHoosier 6,200]

I think OG Is being overlooked you could say with Bryant coming in, but OG could make a huge impact

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

I'd love to see how this kid can handle the point. He'd be a very athletic and long point guard.

[Hoosier Roots 745]

I'd love to see how this kid can handle the point. He'd be a very athletic and long point guard.

woah let's not rush into things.

[Naturalhoosier 15,434]

nice work dj!

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

woah let's not rush into things.

yeah not this year, but if he wants to get his ball handling to the point that he could play PG, I'd like to see it.

Ever since watching MCW reek havoc on us with his size at the point I've been itching to see us get a big point guard.

[Bobman1 2,909]

The recruits coming in seem to know a lot about the tradition of Indiana. Unlike some in years past. I like it!

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

Good stuff DJ---keep posting.  I was impressed with OG in the Derby Classic and in the video out there on him. He could be another diamond in the rough to polish up using the Oladipo---soon to be Troy Williams---3 year plan.  Definitely one to watch!

[Bobman1 2,909]

DJ! We're leaving Juwan out. I feel bad for JM. Get on that interview!!!!

[djsalway 4,161]

DJ! We're leaving Juwan out. I feel bad for JM. Get on that interview!!!!

Im certainly trying!

[GloryDays 5,920]

Good stuff DJ---keep posting.  I was impressed with OG in the Derby Classic and in the video out there on him. He could be another diamond in the rough to polish up using the Oladipo---soon to be Troy Williams---3 year plan.  Definitely one to watch!

   He's miles ahead of both as  a shooter at this stage and is a better defensive player than troy was coming in.

 With his size potential he could end up as a very physical player.

[Hoosier Roots 745]

I'm starting to get pretty excited about this kid. He seems like somebody who could be really good as an upperclassmen.

[ElectricBoogaloo 4,307]

I'd love to see how this kid can handle the point. He'd be a very athletic and long point guard.

 

I think we've seen the results of Crean's "point forward" experiments in the past. If he doesn't have even high school level PG skills now, it will be very difficult to develop well enough to play point at any time in his IU career.