Indiana University Athletics
Newkirk Talks About Contributing On The Court In 2016-17
6/29/2016 2:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Redshirt junior guard Josh Newkirk is ready for his next challenge. After not having played in a game since March, 2015, the Raleigh, North Carolina native is anxious to get back on the court with the bright lights shining. Well, he likely will have to wait until early November when the Hoosiers play its customary two exhibition games before opening the season in Hawaii against Kansas in the Armed Forces Classic on November 11.
Newkirk, who never seems like he is having a bad day, came to IU from Pittsburgh where he played in 69 career games and averaged 5.9 points as a sophomore and 4.6 points as a freshman and had 154 assists to just 77 turnovers in two seasons. He spoke with IUHoosiers.com earlier this summer. He had microfracture surgery on his left knee on May 6, 2015 and was able to fully participate in practice with IU during most of the Big Ten season.
On the transition from sitting out last year to being ready to go this year:
"I just have to trust the process. The process was just sitting and waiting and learning. I wanted to get out there (last year) but I knew I had to wait my turn and I'm glad to finally be eligible to play now."
On being able to help contribute to last year's success in practice:
"It felt good. Maybe the people on the outside didn't really get to see it, but in my mind, the team knew that I was helping them get better with my effort in practice. It just felt great to help the team in someway since I couldn't play in the games."
On the tremendous work ethic on the team and how that helps the team:
"It helps us a lot. Whenever someone goes to the gym, we all go to the gym. We always bring someone with us to the gym so it's a great culture that's been built here."
On being able to play in two of the top basketball conferences in the country (Big Ten & ACC):
"It is great. I love to compete so playing in two of the best conferences in the NCAA is great. Just going up against guys from different regions and areas of the country is great for basketball."
On what he took away from going against Kevin Yogi Ferrell in practice last year and how he will pass that on to the younger guys this year:
"I took away how vocal he was with guys. When someone would mess up in practice, he would let them know. If someone needed help, he was a big teacher. That was one of the biggest things. And then his leadership and he he lead by example and his work ethic."
On what Coach Crean had told him about his role on the team this year:
"He's talked to me about being more vocal and being a leader out there and helping the young guys. We have a couple freshmen coming in this summer so he wants me to help show them the right way and show them how to do things."
On the positive team chemistry being built over the summer:
"It's very important. On the court, we have to build a better bond and that starts off the court. If you have that bond off the court, then it's that much easier to build that bond on the court and know where guys are going to be. It just translates on the court."
On what he is majoring in:
"I'm majoring in sport communication and it's going real well. I'm really enjoying it."
Newkirk, who never seems like he is having a bad day, came to IU from Pittsburgh where he played in 69 career games and averaged 5.9 points as a sophomore and 4.6 points as a freshman and had 154 assists to just 77 turnovers in two seasons. He spoke with IUHoosiers.com earlier this summer. He had microfracture surgery on his left knee on May 6, 2015 and was able to fully participate in practice with IU during most of the Big Ten season.
On the transition from sitting out last year to being ready to go this year:
"I just have to trust the process. The process was just sitting and waiting and learning. I wanted to get out there (last year) but I knew I had to wait my turn and I'm glad to finally be eligible to play now."
On being able to help contribute to last year's success in practice:
"It felt good. Maybe the people on the outside didn't really get to see it, but in my mind, the team knew that I was helping them get better with my effort in practice. It just felt great to help the team in someway since I couldn't play in the games."
On the tremendous work ethic on the team and how that helps the team:
"It helps us a lot. Whenever someone goes to the gym, we all go to the gym. We always bring someone with us to the gym so it's a great culture that's been built here."
On being able to play in two of the top basketball conferences in the country (Big Ten & ACC):
"It is great. I love to compete so playing in two of the best conferences in the NCAA is great. Just going up against guys from different regions and areas of the country is great for basketball."
On what he took away from going against Kevin Yogi Ferrell in practice last year and how he will pass that on to the younger guys this year:
"I took away how vocal he was with guys. When someone would mess up in practice, he would let them know. If someone needed help, he was a big teacher. That was one of the biggest things. And then his leadership and he he lead by example and his work ethic."
On what Coach Crean had told him about his role on the team this year:
"He's talked to me about being more vocal and being a leader out there and helping the young guys. We have a couple freshmen coming in this summer so he wants me to help show them the right way and show them how to do things."
On the positive team chemistry being built over the summer:
"It's very important. On the court, we have to build a better bond and that starts off the court. If you have that bond off the court, then it's that much easier to build that bond on the court and know where guys are going to be. It just translates on the court."
On what he is majoring in:
"I'm majoring in sport communication and it's going real well. I'm really enjoying it."
Players Mentioned
Guard
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