Indiana University Athletics
Let It Shine – Geronimo Pushes for Bigger Role
7/25/2022 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Let's start with the numbers rather than the passion behind them. They suggest potential, of course, what Jordan Geronimo could do, what he could be, with more consistency.
They came under last March's bright NCAA tourney spotlight, when this 6-6, 220-pound junior forward rose to the nationally televised occasion.
Did he ever.
In the opening-round win over Wyoming, Geronimo had a career high 15 points (six from three rebound dunks), seven rebounds, an assist and a block. He followed that with nine points, six rebounds and an assist in a season-ending loss to Saint Mary's.
Given his season averages of 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12.6 off-the-bench minutes, given his 24 blocks to rank second on the team, it leads to this question:
Will that be a transitional moment or aberration?
It's up to Geronimo.
"That game was needed," he says. "It told me like, hey, I can do this. It's not something that I can't do.
"I used that game as a foundation to work on my game outside of that. I watch film and try to expand on my game, and see how I can do better."
That's what it's all about, isn't it, to push for more?
With a 7-foot wingspan and a 40-inch vertical jump, Geronimo radiates are-you-kidding-me athleticism and ferocity. But his game needs refined -- improved ball-handling, decision making and shooting top the list.
He knows it and works at it. Again, if it becomes the norm …
"The key is more of a mental standpoint," he says. "I'm already athletic. If I was to always be consistent and keep pushing myself and play hard every time, the athleticism is going to shine.
"The next step to improving my game or showing my actual game is being positive, always having a battery, always just trying to make the extra play. That would really show my potential."
*****
Geronimo is a power forward pushing for a small forward role in the manner of versatile Atlanta Hawk De'Andre Hunter.
"He keeps expanding and getting better," Geronimo says. "He can bring the ball up. He can defend. He can get a bucket. I like his game a lot."
Geronimo says he brought up the small-forward option to coach Mike Woodson because, "I want to expand my game and produce more."
Woodson, whose NBA-style system thrives on player versatility background, was all in, with perimeter-defense emphasis.
"That's actually the harder part," Geronimo says. "It's learning things like transition defense. As a big man, as a four, I would just run to the rim, protect the rim on transition.
"As a three, you try to stop the ball in transition. That's something that I keep in mind. Also, I'm fighting over ball screens now. And the threes and fours have different positions (on the court) and plays. I have to remember all that stuff. There's a lot to it."
Geronimo works to do all of it.
"I have seen improvement in making the right decision. My jump shot has been getting better. My (ball) handling is getting better. It's knowing when to make the right play and move the ball."
Improvement starts, Geronimo adds, with "spacing."
"In terms of decision-making, that goes both ways, on-ball and off-ball. On-ball, meaning I'm getting better at knowing when to attack, when to shoot, when to pass. That's the on-ball stuff.
"Off-ball is knowing when to cut and when to set some actions like down screens, off-ball screens, something like that."
Beyond the on-court work, Geronimo pushes film study because, "it can be as helpful as practice sometimes."
Improvement has limits. As Geronimo says about his ballhandling, "I'm not saying I'm like (NBA superstar guard) Kyrie Irving, but it's better. I'm seeing improvement."
Geronimo sets goals without specifics. He doesn't aim to average so many points or rebounds because, "I almost have too high expectations. Sometimes I meet them and sometimes I don't. I'm hard on myself. I focus on trying to get better. Just trying to have more of an impact."
*****
Geronimo's potential crashes against this reality -- playing-time competition will be fierce given the Hoosiers' talent and depth amid Big Ten title-favorite status.
"Everybody is competitive," Geronimo says. "We all want to win. We all know what we're fighting for, so we all try to push each other to play our best."
IU's frontcourt is loaded with veterans Trayce Jackson-Davis (a potential Big Ten MVP) and Race Thompson (an all-conference player) returning and heralded freshmen Malik Reneau and Kaleb Banks arriving. Playing time will be divided, perhaps not in Geronimo's favor.
He knows this, of course, but focuses on team rather than personal. He believes in Woodson and the coach's vow to bring championships back to the program. He decided to stay a Hoosier before Jackson-Davis and Thompson did, and didn't flinch on their return.
"The ultimate factor of me coming back was I have trust in Mike Woodson and I have trust in the program. It's bigger than myself. I want the program to be successful.
"We're fighting for a championship. I want to be a part of that. Seeing (the new) players that came in, everybody that's coming back, I'm like, this it's something I can't be not a part of.
"I trust the coach and I trust the staff, the players. It's a good decision to come back."
*****
When it comes to a potential breakout Hoosier next season, Geronimo points to Banks.
"I like him a lot. He has game. The rate he's working out and getting better, with what he has now, his physical abilities, I feel he's going to be a sleeper."
IU won't be a sleeper, especially with an upgraded non-conference schedule highlighted by Kansas (the defending national champ), North Carolina (last season's national runner-up) Arizona and Xavier. All project as top-25 teams.
Does that generate extra urgency?
Geronimo says no because, "We are already working hard. One thing our coach always says is stay ready so you don't have to get ready.
"It's a point to always work hard regardless of what's going on. But of course, those big games are going to help us in conference play. Playing against good opponents like that is only going to help us get better."
Two college seasons and 55 games give Geronimo a sense of what needs to be done. He's thrived in limited doses. Besides the NCAA tourney highlights, he rocked Nebraska for 10 points and eight rebounds; he had 10 points against Minnesota; and overwhelmed Merrimack for 13 points and 13 rebounds.
And if he needs more insight, consider his mother, Dawn, was once a standout basketball player at North Carolina.
The result is a confidence boost for the upcoming season. Geronimo doesn't just think he can be a difference maker, he KNOWS it.
"It feels great. It's a testament of showing that hard work pays off. When I first came here, I feel like I had to prove myself. I put in the work to be able to prove myself.
"To be in the position where I'm at now is proof that, hey, keep your head down, work hard and you'll get to where you want to go eventually."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Let's start with the numbers rather than the passion behind them. They suggest potential, of course, what Jordan Geronimo could do, what he could be, with more consistency.
They came under last March's bright NCAA tourney spotlight, when this 6-6, 220-pound junior forward rose to the nationally televised occasion.
Did he ever.
In the opening-round win over Wyoming, Geronimo had a career high 15 points (six from three rebound dunks), seven rebounds, an assist and a block. He followed that with nine points, six rebounds and an assist in a season-ending loss to Saint Mary's.
Given his season averages of 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12.6 off-the-bench minutes, given his 24 blocks to rank second on the team, it leads to this question:
Will that be a transitional moment or aberration?
It's up to Geronimo.
"That game was needed," he says. "It told me like, hey, I can do this. It's not something that I can't do.
"I used that game as a foundation to work on my game outside of that. I watch film and try to expand on my game, and see how I can do better."
That's what it's all about, isn't it, to push for more?
With a 7-foot wingspan and a 40-inch vertical jump, Geronimo radiates are-you-kidding-me athleticism and ferocity. But his game needs refined -- improved ball-handling, decision making and shooting top the list.
He knows it and works at it. Again, if it becomes the norm …
"The key is more of a mental standpoint," he says. "I'm already athletic. If I was to always be consistent and keep pushing myself and play hard every time, the athleticism is going to shine.
"The next step to improving my game or showing my actual game is being positive, always having a battery, always just trying to make the extra play. That would really show my potential."
*****
Geronimo is a power forward pushing for a small forward role in the manner of versatile Atlanta Hawk De'Andre Hunter.
"He keeps expanding and getting better," Geronimo says. "He can bring the ball up. He can defend. He can get a bucket. I like his game a lot."
Geronimo says he brought up the small-forward option to coach Mike Woodson because, "I want to expand my game and produce more."
Woodson, whose NBA-style system thrives on player versatility background, was all in, with perimeter-defense emphasis.
"That's actually the harder part," Geronimo says. "It's learning things like transition defense. As a big man, as a four, I would just run to the rim, protect the rim on transition.
"As a three, you try to stop the ball in transition. That's something that I keep in mind. Also, I'm fighting over ball screens now. And the threes and fours have different positions (on the court) and plays. I have to remember all that stuff. There's a lot to it."
Geronimo works to do all of it.
"I have seen improvement in making the right decision. My jump shot has been getting better. My (ball) handling is getting better. It's knowing when to make the right play and move the ball."
Improvement starts, Geronimo adds, with "spacing."
"In terms of decision-making, that goes both ways, on-ball and off-ball. On-ball, meaning I'm getting better at knowing when to attack, when to shoot, when to pass. That's the on-ball stuff.
"Off-ball is knowing when to cut and when to set some actions like down screens, off-ball screens, something like that."
Beyond the on-court work, Geronimo pushes film study because, "it can be as helpful as practice sometimes."
Improvement has limits. As Geronimo says about his ballhandling, "I'm not saying I'm like (NBA superstar guard) Kyrie Irving, but it's better. I'm seeing improvement."
Geronimo sets goals without specifics. He doesn't aim to average so many points or rebounds because, "I almost have too high expectations. Sometimes I meet them and sometimes I don't. I'm hard on myself. I focus on trying to get better. Just trying to have more of an impact."
*****
Geronimo's potential crashes against this reality -- playing-time competition will be fierce given the Hoosiers' talent and depth amid Big Ten title-favorite status.
"Everybody is competitive," Geronimo says. "We all want to win. We all know what we're fighting for, so we all try to push each other to play our best."
IU's frontcourt is loaded with veterans Trayce Jackson-Davis (a potential Big Ten MVP) and Race Thompson (an all-conference player) returning and heralded freshmen Malik Reneau and Kaleb Banks arriving. Playing time will be divided, perhaps not in Geronimo's favor.
He knows this, of course, but focuses on team rather than personal. He believes in Woodson and the coach's vow to bring championships back to the program. He decided to stay a Hoosier before Jackson-Davis and Thompson did, and didn't flinch on their return.
"The ultimate factor of me coming back was I have trust in Mike Woodson and I have trust in the program. It's bigger than myself. I want the program to be successful.
"We're fighting for a championship. I want to be a part of that. Seeing (the new) players that came in, everybody that's coming back, I'm like, this it's something I can't be not a part of.
"I trust the coach and I trust the staff, the players. It's a good decision to come back."
*****
When it comes to a potential breakout Hoosier next season, Geronimo points to Banks.
"I like him a lot. He has game. The rate he's working out and getting better, with what he has now, his physical abilities, I feel he's going to be a sleeper."
IU won't be a sleeper, especially with an upgraded non-conference schedule highlighted by Kansas (the defending national champ), North Carolina (last season's national runner-up) Arizona and Xavier. All project as top-25 teams.
Does that generate extra urgency?
Geronimo says no because, "We are already working hard. One thing our coach always says is stay ready so you don't have to get ready.
"It's a point to always work hard regardless of what's going on. But of course, those big games are going to help us in conference play. Playing against good opponents like that is only going to help us get better."
Two college seasons and 55 games give Geronimo a sense of what needs to be done. He's thrived in limited doses. Besides the NCAA tourney highlights, he rocked Nebraska for 10 points and eight rebounds; he had 10 points against Minnesota; and overwhelmed Merrimack for 13 points and 13 rebounds.
And if he needs more insight, consider his mother, Dawn, was once a standout basketball player at North Carolina.
The result is a confidence boost for the upcoming season. Geronimo doesn't just think he can be a difference maker, he KNOWS it.
"It feels great. It's a testament of showing that hard work pays off. When I first came here, I feel like I had to prove myself. I put in the work to be able to prove myself.
"To be in the position where I'm at now is proof that, hey, keep your head down, work hard and you'll get to where you want to go eventually."
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