Leading the Way – IU Veterans Set Basketball Tone
6/22/2022 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Hoosier hype is out there, and excitement follows in mega-dose waves.
Yes, it's still June, five months before basketball season begins, but Cream 'n Crimson passion never fades.
Especially with these kinds of prospects.
Ever since All-America Trayce Jackson-Davis announced his return last month, clinching Indiana's status as way-too-early Big Ten title favorite, Hoosier nation is revved up as it hasn't been since 2012, when it basked in top-ranked accolades.
Still, nothing is guaranteed.
Race Thompson understands this. Five previous college seasons, only one of which produced NCAA tourney opportunity (last spring's 21-14 effort), sharpened his perspective and resolve.
"We've got to put in the work," the senior forward says.
He shares leadership responsibility with Jackson-Davis and veteran guard Xavier Johnson. They are driven to provide tough-minded guidance, especially for the heralded newcomer group of C.J. Gunn, Kaleb Banks, Malik Reneau and Jalen Hood-Schifino.
"With me, Xavier and Trayce coming back," Thompson says, "we've got to be leaders. We've got to show our teammates the ropes."
Last season's strong finish in coach Mike Woodson's first season -- reaching the semifinals of the Big Ten tourney and winning their opening NCAA Tournament game -- provides the blueprint.
"Showing them what we did last year," Thompson says, "how it worked for us, why it worked for us, watching film, things like that just really help show the younger guys what it's about because it's definitely a faster pace, it's definitely stronger guys, better players.
"The freshmen are going to really be able to help us. It comes down to us three really being leaders and showing them how it's done because we've done it. We're trying to be better so we can get those guys, and everybody else, on board with us. Make sure they're bought into the program and Coach Woodson and all our other coaches so we can do something special."
Leadership includes bonding and chemistry.
"It's continuing to build relationships with them before anything," Thompson says. "If you don't have a relationship with your teammates, you don't really have anything.
"I'm just continuing to get to know them, get more comfortable around them, make them more comfortable around everybody, around me, just getting everybody together. If you have a team that feels like a family, that's the recipe for success."
As far as the freshmen, the 6-8, 230-pound Reneau arrives with a No. 22 national rating. He and Hood-Schifino helped Montverde (Fla.) Academy win the GEICO High School Nationals the last two seasons.
Reneau averaged 11.9 points and 6.6 rebounds last year, and 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds during the national title run to earn honorable mention All-America honors.
Thompson likes what he's seen so far.
"My early impressions are that he's a great player. I have not seen a lot of film of him in high school. When he got here, he was bigger and stronger than I had expected. It seems like he's already ready to play in the Big Ten. In the weight room, he's strong. On the court, he's strong. He's athletic, and he's skilled.
"He can handle the ball, shoot the ball. He has a lot of moves in the post.
"In practice the other day he hit a little shimmy one-foot fade-away that was pretty nasty. It turned my head a little bit. He had a Euro step on two people that was really nice.
"I've been impressed with him. He's definitely going to be an exciting piece for us. I think he can help us out a lot."
Banks, another heralded 6-8 forward, averaged 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals to win Georgia Class 4A player-of-the-year honors last season. He scored more than 2,000 career high-school points.
"Kaleb is a great player," Thompson says. "Again, I didn't see him play in high school, and didn't know what to expect when he got here.
"He is very talented, big, a big wing that can defend, can really shoot, score at all three levels (in the post, mid-range and 3-point range). He's impressed me a lot with how comfortable he is, how confident he is in himself being able to make plays.
"He'll be a fun player to watch."
As for Gunn, who averaged 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals at Indianapolis Lawrence North High School last season, capping that by winning Indiana All-Stars MVP honors while averaging 20.5 points in two games against the Kentucky All-Stars, and the 6-5 Hood-Schifino, the highest rated incoming Big Ten recruit at No. 21, Thompson says, "I think we've got something special with all the freshmen."
Returning Hoosiers include junior Jordan Geronimo, who might have more of a small forward role. Last year, the 6-6, 220-pounder doubled his averages in scoring (from 2.2 to 4.4) and rebounding (from 1.8 to 3.6), while his 24 blocks tied for second on the team -- all in just 12.6 minutes a game.
While his potential is impressive, there is one major area of concern -- he had 31 turnovers against nine assists last year.
"For him, it's about decision making and being able to handle the ball better," Thompson says. "He's an elite defender. Everybody knows that. That's not an issue.
"He's been doing well in practice, improving every day. It's fun to watch him from being a person who didn't really handle the ball to being able to make a move, get by a defender, pump fake, hit a one-dribble pull-up. Being able to (improve like that) in one summer is very impressive. Hopefully he can keep building on that."
IU tapped into Hoosier glory past by hiring Jordan Hulls as the Team and Recruiting Coordinator. Hulls just wrapped up a nine-year pro career by playing for Germany's MHP Riesen team.
The former Indiana Mr. Basketball out of Bloomington High School South scored 1,318 career points as a Hoosier from 2010-13. He shot 44.1% from 3-point range and 85.9% from the free-throw line (setting the school record by making 58 straight).
Hulls played on two Sweet 16 teams, including the 2013 Big Ten title squad that also was ranked No. 1 for much of the season.
"He's obviously a great IU player, from Bloomington," Thompson says. "He's bonded a lot with (Hoosier junior guard Anthony Leal, also a former Indiana Mr. Basketball from Bloomington South). I've bonded with Anthony, so I kind of feel where Anthony comes from and where he looks up to Jordan.
"I don't know (Hulls) that well yet, but I do know that he knows how to win and what it takes to win. Having him around will definitely help us. I think he'll be a great addition for us."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Hoosier hype is out there, and excitement follows in mega-dose waves.
Yes, it's still June, five months before basketball season begins, but Cream 'n Crimson passion never fades.
Especially with these kinds of prospects.
Ever since All-America Trayce Jackson-Davis announced his return last month, clinching Indiana's status as way-too-early Big Ten title favorite, Hoosier nation is revved up as it hasn't been since 2012, when it basked in top-ranked accolades.
Still, nothing is guaranteed.
Race Thompson understands this. Five previous college seasons, only one of which produced NCAA tourney opportunity (last spring's 21-14 effort), sharpened his perspective and resolve.
"We've got to put in the work," the senior forward says.
He shares leadership responsibility with Jackson-Davis and veteran guard Xavier Johnson. They are driven to provide tough-minded guidance, especially for the heralded newcomer group of C.J. Gunn, Kaleb Banks, Malik Reneau and Jalen Hood-Schifino.
"With me, Xavier and Trayce coming back," Thompson says, "we've got to be leaders. We've got to show our teammates the ropes."
Last season's strong finish in coach Mike Woodson's first season -- reaching the semifinals of the Big Ten tourney and winning their opening NCAA Tournament game -- provides the blueprint.
"Showing them what we did last year," Thompson says, "how it worked for us, why it worked for us, watching film, things like that just really help show the younger guys what it's about because it's definitely a faster pace, it's definitely stronger guys, better players.
"The freshmen are going to really be able to help us. It comes down to us three really being leaders and showing them how it's done because we've done it. We're trying to be better so we can get those guys, and everybody else, on board with us. Make sure they're bought into the program and Coach Woodson and all our other coaches so we can do something special."
Leadership includes bonding and chemistry.
"It's continuing to build relationships with them before anything," Thompson says. "If you don't have a relationship with your teammates, you don't really have anything.
"I'm just continuing to get to know them, get more comfortable around them, make them more comfortable around everybody, around me, just getting everybody together. If you have a team that feels like a family, that's the recipe for success."
As far as the freshmen, the 6-8, 230-pound Reneau arrives with a No. 22 national rating. He and Hood-Schifino helped Montverde (Fla.) Academy win the GEICO High School Nationals the last two seasons.
Reneau averaged 11.9 points and 6.6 rebounds last year, and 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds during the national title run to earn honorable mention All-America honors.
Thompson likes what he's seen so far.
"My early impressions are that he's a great player. I have not seen a lot of film of him in high school. When he got here, he was bigger and stronger than I had expected. It seems like he's already ready to play in the Big Ten. In the weight room, he's strong. On the court, he's strong. He's athletic, and he's skilled.
"He can handle the ball, shoot the ball. He has a lot of moves in the post.
"In practice the other day he hit a little shimmy one-foot fade-away that was pretty nasty. It turned my head a little bit. He had a Euro step on two people that was really nice.
"I've been impressed with him. He's definitely going to be an exciting piece for us. I think he can help us out a lot."
Banks, another heralded 6-8 forward, averaged 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals to win Georgia Class 4A player-of-the-year honors last season. He scored more than 2,000 career high-school points.
"Kaleb is a great player," Thompson says. "Again, I didn't see him play in high school, and didn't know what to expect when he got here.
"He is very talented, big, a big wing that can defend, can really shoot, score at all three levels (in the post, mid-range and 3-point range). He's impressed me a lot with how comfortable he is, how confident he is in himself being able to make plays.
"He'll be a fun player to watch."
As for Gunn, who averaged 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals at Indianapolis Lawrence North High School last season, capping that by winning Indiana All-Stars MVP honors while averaging 20.5 points in two games against the Kentucky All-Stars, and the 6-5 Hood-Schifino, the highest rated incoming Big Ten recruit at No. 21, Thompson says, "I think we've got something special with all the freshmen."
Returning Hoosiers include junior Jordan Geronimo, who might have more of a small forward role. Last year, the 6-6, 220-pounder doubled his averages in scoring (from 2.2 to 4.4) and rebounding (from 1.8 to 3.6), while his 24 blocks tied for second on the team -- all in just 12.6 minutes a game.
While his potential is impressive, there is one major area of concern -- he had 31 turnovers against nine assists last year.
"For him, it's about decision making and being able to handle the ball better," Thompson says. "He's an elite defender. Everybody knows that. That's not an issue.
"He's been doing well in practice, improving every day. It's fun to watch him from being a person who didn't really handle the ball to being able to make a move, get by a defender, pump fake, hit a one-dribble pull-up. Being able to (improve like that) in one summer is very impressive. Hopefully he can keep building on that."
IU tapped into Hoosier glory past by hiring Jordan Hulls as the Team and Recruiting Coordinator. Hulls just wrapped up a nine-year pro career by playing for Germany's MHP Riesen team.
The former Indiana Mr. Basketball out of Bloomington High School South scored 1,318 career points as a Hoosier from 2010-13. He shot 44.1% from 3-point range and 85.9% from the free-throw line (setting the school record by making 58 straight).
Hulls played on two Sweet 16 teams, including the 2013 Big Ten title squad that also was ranked No. 1 for much of the season.
"He's obviously a great IU player, from Bloomington," Thompson says. "He's bonded a lot with (Hoosier junior guard Anthony Leal, also a former Indiana Mr. Basketball from Bloomington South). I've bonded with Anthony, so I kind of feel where Anthony comes from and where he looks up to Jordan.
"I don't know (Hulls) that well yet, but I do know that he knows how to win and what it takes to win. Having him around will definitely help us. I think he'll be a great addition for us."
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