Blackmon Jr returning to IU

[GloryDays 5,913]

  Welcome back JBJ.

  Now get to work on being the defensive player this team needs you to be.

The scouts will notice.

   Everybody wins.

[Dalton26 16,892]

I love cockiness, swag, or whatever you want to call it. When a kid knows he's good and then goes out and shows everyone how good he is then I've got no problem with it. He's got every right to shout it from the rooftops if he wants. BUT, when a kid that's not very good and doesn't bring much to the table does it then I'm not a fan.

[Striper 192]

Well this 24 hour waiting game at least led to a nice discussion on the merits of swag.

[Stuhoo 79,787]

What that is...

 

Is really, really good news!!!

 

JBJ2 is:

 

• Not ready for the NBA
• A player with a lot of room for development, especially defensively
• A very good rebounder for the SG position
• Someone who can and will greatly contribute to our success next season
• A high-quality, in-state young man from a good family who are very supportive of the program

Today's news is not a revelation, but it is important.

[Hovadipo 55,176]

#swag

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,975]

What that is...

Is really, really good news!!!

JBJ2 is:

• Not ready for the NBA
• A player with a lot of room for development, especially defensively
• A very good rebounder for the SG position
• Someone who can and will greatly contribute to our success next season
• A high-quality, in-state young man from a good family who are very supportive of the program

Today's news is not a revelation, but it is important.

also, 2016 recruiting class will be huge. Yogi, Hanner, Z, JBJ, Troy. Minimum. Count on a 6 or 7 man class. Ouch.

Great decision by JBJ and family though.

[bnkepner 1,509]

I wasn't looking for an argument - and said as much. My point was simply that you said that you loved his game after, basically, saying that he had none. Leaving out the "potential" was not intentional, nor was it meant to shade your comment in any way. I agree that JBJ has a huge upside based on his potential.

 

I also agree that he needs to step up both the emotion and the defense. And clearly, these are things that he can work on in the college game. I hope for his sake, as well as ours, that he returns. I cannot imagine that Daddy is behind JBJ's consideration of leaving IU for any reason, but especially for the NBA.

 

Again, no harm intended in any of my comments, previous or current.

No Im not looking for any sort of argument either.

I just was letting you know that I never said he didn't have any game at all. I said I loved his game when it comes to his shooting and scoring ability. Thats what he was brought in for.
I was saying that there are parts of his game that need adjustments (consistency) and there are basketball aspects that need added to his game(emotion and defense.

No offense taken whatsoever 

Im very glad that he is coming back to continually work on things. I think next season will be very different for him

[bnkepner 1,509]

also, 2016 recruiting class will be huge. Yogi, Hanner, Z, JBJ, Troy. Minimum. Count on a 6 or 7 man class. Ouch.

Great decision by JBJ and family though.

Good thing that the 2016 and 2017 classes are some of the best that there have been in awhile

[wilfordhetzel 52]

James had a great Freshman year. He scored well and rebounded way above expectations. With improved ball handling and defense he will be great. He also will be a first round NBA pick.

[bnkepner 1,509]

James had a great Freshman year. He scored well and rebounded way above expectations. With improved ball handling and defense he will be great. He also will be a first round NBA pick.

I think with a great summer he will be a lot better for us this upcoming year. I imagine we will see a completely different JBJ next year

[hyzy 300]

Press conference @ AH regarding JBJ about to get underway

[AZ Hoosier 6,572]

Im very glad that he is coming back to continually work on things. I think next season will be very different for him

 

Good, indeed, that he is coming back. I am sure that going from high school to college is a big adjustment. Now that he has a year under his belt, hopefully he can develop the areas where he needs work. This year could be huge for him (and US).

[hyzy 300]

James Blackmon Jr.: "I felt the best situation for me is to come back next year and play my sophomore year here. from @insidethehall tweet at the presser

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,041]

OK everyone, on the count of 3 let's all heave a collective sigh of relief.   I look for a significantly different JBJ on the court this season displaying a much more well-rounded game especially when it comes to defense.

[sddowning 146]

Do we really expect him to get better at defense? Who is he going to learn it from?

[ShoobyFims 20]

Big question no one has raised: will JBJ have a greater amount of swagger next season? How should he work to improve his swagger?

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,041]

Do we really expect him to get better at defense? Who is he going to learn it from?

 

Not all of it has to be taught by anyone.  A good part of it can come from a player just being more focused and willing to put more effort into defense.  JBJ has always been an offensive player and most of the defense he played in high school was against a much lesser caliber player and didn't require that much effort on his part.  I believe we'll see a different JBJ this year because if he shows marked improvement in his overall game then he'll definitely be announcing for the 2016 NBA draft.

[bnkepner 1,509]

Do we really expect him to get better at defense? Who is he going to learn it from?

No one gave him credit and I got flack for saying this last year but I think Blackmon Jr improved towards the end of the season. He is never going to be a shut down defender but I think he did progress in small increments as the season ended. He will never be not he court because of his D but I believe that he can improve

[FortWayneHoosier 5,919]

video of jbj and coach on jbj's announcement to stay 

 

http://www.insidethehall.com/2015/04/23/video-james-blackmon-jr-announces-hell-return-for-sophomore-season/

[IUHoosier5 1,523]

He was definitely coming back after last night...