Indiana University Athletics
Jordan Geronimo – A Basketball Force on the Rise
12/15/2021 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – We see glimpses. Flashes of potential. A spectacular rebound. A rim-rocking dunk. Tenacious defense. Even the occasional three-pointer.
Jordan Geronimo is a Cream 'n Crimson basketball force on the rise.
"If he continues to work," coach Mike Woodson says, "he's going to continue to improve. It's my job to push him and steer him in the right direction."
The 6-6, 220-pound Geronimo has a tight-end body and upper-level potential. He displayed a big dose of that during Sunday's win over Merrimack with his first college double-double (13 points, 13 rebounds).
Yes, it came against an opponent years away from attaining NCAA tourney eligibility, but that misses the point, which is Geronimo is learning to play the game Woodson envisions for him.
And if this New Jersey native reaches a consistent conclusion, double doubles might become the norm rather than the exception.
"He's very athletic," Woodson says. "We think he's a pretty decent defender. We know he can rebound in traffic and block shots."
Improvement, Geronimo says, starts with awareness.
"I've improved my IQ in terms of spacing on the floor," he says. "I'm trying to move without the ball. Be at the right spot at the right time so I can get the best opportunities. That's what I have improved on."
Earning a bigger role is hard given Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson are frontcourt locks in Woodson's three-guard attack.
This season Geronimo has played as many as 21 minutes, as few as four. He's made six three-pointers in 19 career attempts, 2-for-9 this season, and if that reminds no one of Steph Curry, who just became the NBA's career three-point record holder, that misses the point, which is Geronimo continues to grow his game.
"We want him to be patient in terms of how you score," Woodson says. "When you do have (a good shot), feel good about shooting when it's time to shoot."
More patience is needed. Geronimo's 45.8% free throw shooting is a major anchor. His turnover rate of 26% diminishes a coach's trust.
And yet, he averages more rebounds per minute than any Hoosier, and acknowledges a higher power is at work.
"God gave me this body to rebound," he says, "so I'm going to use it."
Merrimack was his impact peak. The valley came in consecutive games against Marshall and Syracuse, when Geronimo totaled zero points and one rebound.
Woodson's message was clear:
Not acceptable.
"He let me know," Geronimo says. "I have to make an impact. That will keep me on the floor."
Practice provides plenty of teaching moments, not all of them warm and fuzzy.
"Every time I make a mistake or do something not written up," Geronimo says, "he gets on me, but then he lets me know this is to help me. He always says, 'I'm just coaching. Regardless of how it comes out. I'm just coaching you.'
"He wants me to do my best and get better."
That requires elite consistency.
"I have to be consistent with my performance," he says. "Some games I didn't show up. Some games I did. Some games I had an impact. Some games I didn't."
What's the difference between his good and bad games?
"I try to have the same mental approach going into a game. When there's a difference between me showing up and not showing up, Coach Woodson talks to me.
"Coach wants me to go into the game with aggression. Make the smart plays. I'm always trying to be positive. You won't always have an amazing game. It just happens. Try to be aggressive and have an impact."
Woodson's offensive and defensive systems are well suited for his game, Geronimo adds.
"It amplifies my game. With his defense, it allows us to guard a lot of different actions and know what's going on. I'm able to make plays defensively at the rim, and get out and guard whoever is on the backside."
Consider Woodson and his staff thought enough of Geronimo's defensive prowess to put him in, and take Jackson-Davis out, for the final play against St. John's.
As far as Woodson's NBA-styled offense, it's "more free," Geronimo says. "There are a lot of opportunities and options for the point guard to make a play. A lot of opportunities to make a move depending on how I read the defender. That's helped a lot."
Now comes Saturday's Crossroads Classic opportunity against Notre Dame (4-4), which had been struggling until stunning then No. 10 Kentucky last weekend.
The Hoosiers (8-2) are blending practice with finals this week with this bottom-line understanding -- they are just a few crunch-time plays away from being undefeated and ranked. This is their final Power 5 game before Big Ten play resumes in January, a last December chance to make a national statement.
The key, center Michael Durr says, starts with focus.
"That's very important. We won't have any problems with that. We're all focused. We're 100 percent on basketball. It is important to stay locked in."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – We see glimpses. Flashes of potential. A spectacular rebound. A rim-rocking dunk. Tenacious defense. Even the occasional three-pointer.
Jordan Geronimo is a Cream 'n Crimson basketball force on the rise.
"If he continues to work," coach Mike Woodson says, "he's going to continue to improve. It's my job to push him and steer him in the right direction."
The 6-6, 220-pound Geronimo has a tight-end body and upper-level potential. He displayed a big dose of that during Sunday's win over Merrimack with his first college double-double (13 points, 13 rebounds).
Yes, it came against an opponent years away from attaining NCAA tourney eligibility, but that misses the point, which is Geronimo is learning to play the game Woodson envisions for him.
And if this New Jersey native reaches a consistent conclusion, double doubles might become the norm rather than the exception.
"He's very athletic," Woodson says. "We think he's a pretty decent defender. We know he can rebound in traffic and block shots."
Improvement, Geronimo says, starts with awareness.
"I've improved my IQ in terms of spacing on the floor," he says. "I'm trying to move without the ball. Be at the right spot at the right time so I can get the best opportunities. That's what I have improved on."
Earning a bigger role is hard given Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson are frontcourt locks in Woodson's three-guard attack.
This season Geronimo has played as many as 21 minutes, as few as four. He's made six three-pointers in 19 career attempts, 2-for-9 this season, and if that reminds no one of Steph Curry, who just became the NBA's career three-point record holder, that misses the point, which is Geronimo continues to grow his game.
"We want him to be patient in terms of how you score," Woodson says. "When you do have (a good shot), feel good about shooting when it's time to shoot."
More patience is needed. Geronimo's 45.8% free throw shooting is a major anchor. His turnover rate of 26% diminishes a coach's trust.
And yet, he averages more rebounds per minute than any Hoosier, and acknowledges a higher power is at work.
"God gave me this body to rebound," he says, "so I'm going to use it."
Merrimack was his impact peak. The valley came in consecutive games against Marshall and Syracuse, when Geronimo totaled zero points and one rebound.
Woodson's message was clear:
Not acceptable.
"He let me know," Geronimo says. "I have to make an impact. That will keep me on the floor."
Practice provides plenty of teaching moments, not all of them warm and fuzzy.
"Every time I make a mistake or do something not written up," Geronimo says, "he gets on me, but then he lets me know this is to help me. He always says, 'I'm just coaching. Regardless of how it comes out. I'm just coaching you.'
"He wants me to do my best and get better."
That requires elite consistency.
"I have to be consistent with my performance," he says. "Some games I didn't show up. Some games I did. Some games I had an impact. Some games I didn't."
What's the difference between his good and bad games?
"I try to have the same mental approach going into a game. When there's a difference between me showing up and not showing up, Coach Woodson talks to me.
"Coach wants me to go into the game with aggression. Make the smart plays. I'm always trying to be positive. You won't always have an amazing game. It just happens. Try to be aggressive and have an impact."
Woodson's offensive and defensive systems are well suited for his game, Geronimo adds.
"It amplifies my game. With his defense, it allows us to guard a lot of different actions and know what's going on. I'm able to make plays defensively at the rim, and get out and guard whoever is on the backside."
Consider Woodson and his staff thought enough of Geronimo's defensive prowess to put him in, and take Jackson-Davis out, for the final play against St. John's.
As far as Woodson's NBA-styled offense, it's "more free," Geronimo says. "There are a lot of opportunities and options for the point guard to make a play. A lot of opportunities to make a move depending on how I read the defender. That's helped a lot."
Now comes Saturday's Crossroads Classic opportunity against Notre Dame (4-4), which had been struggling until stunning then No. 10 Kentucky last weekend.
The Hoosiers (8-2) are blending practice with finals this week with this bottom-line understanding -- they are just a few crunch-time plays away from being undefeated and ranked. This is their final Power 5 game before Big Ten play resumes in January, a last December chance to make a national statement.
The key, center Michael Durr says, starts with focus.
"That's very important. We won't have any problems with that. We're all focused. We're 100 percent on basketball. It is important to stay locked in."
Players Mentioned
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