Indiana University Athletics
Performance, Not Comfort, Drives CJ Gunn
7/24/2023 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – You know the saying, good things come to those who wait? That works until you have to wait.
Then it becomes a test. CJ Gunn knows it well.
Has Indiana's sophomore guard passed it? Is he better for last season's reserve-role struggles?
Opportunity to prove it comes this season.
"It's difficult," he says. "No path in life will be easy."
It wasn't last season when Gunn went from high school superstar to college understudy. In 20 games, he averaged 2.0 points and 30.9% shooting in 7.5 minutes. He only played 64 minutes in Big Ten play.
That was a big drop from his 23.5-point senior average at Indianapolis Lawrence North High School, and even though most freshmen go through adjust-to-college struggles (fellow freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino being an exception by playing beyond his years en route to becoming an NBA first-round choice), it stung.
"You have thoughts that I can't do this," Gunn says. "I can't get there. But I'm a man of God. I believe God has my back. You just have to keep going to get to where you want to get to. As long as you're in the gym, putting in that work and your love of the game continues, you'll be fine."
The 6-6 Gunn, an outstanding shooter for most of his life (he once made nine 3-pointers in a high school game), was just 2-for-24 from three-point range last season. He offset that with 10 steals and solid defense.
"I did a good job on the defensive side, but my offense wasn't clicking the way I wanted it to.
"As long as you're confident and put in the effort, (offense) will handle itself. Defense is all effort and energy. I've always brought that. I will continue to bring that and take my two-way game to the next level."
Elevating his offensive game goes beyond shooting.
"It's knowing a good shot from a bad one," he says. "Cutting off the ball, getting my teammates involved, as well. Where I want to evolve my game further is bringing the ball up the floor and being more of a combo guard transitioning from the 1 (point guard) to the 2 (shooting guard)."
He showed that potential in high school, and again in summer workouts.
"I'm good with creating space when it comes to coming off down screens or cutting or action throughout our motion offense. That's what I specialize in."
Gunn got a good-shooting example from new director of player development Calbert Cheaney, the Big Ten's career scoring leader who played 13 NBA seasons.
"In training sessions, I watched Coach Cheaney's film. He really lived in the mid-range when he was in the league. That's one of my specialties with my ability to leap off the floor and rise above my opponents to get my shot up. He's teaching me to be more effective with one-two dribbles and collapsing the defense or get my shot off."
Gunn's family connections with Cheaney accelerated their relationship building. Gunn called him before Cheaney even arrived in Bloomington earlier this summer.
"We were already excited about getting in the gym before he got here. From the first practice, we were tight. He's really good for us. He's another piece of the puzzle in making this program great."
Despite his limited playing experience and sophomore status, Gunn is expected to be a backcourt leader along with veterans Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway.
He's all in, and if it works out, he could emerge as the first backcourt option behind Johnson and Galloway.
"It's a challenge, but that's what I'm here for. I didn't come here to be comfortable. I came here to be pushed outside my element. I have to get used to being uncomfortable. That's a great opportunity for me to take my game to the next level."
Gunn is more comfortable playing in coach Mike Woodson's system.
"Knowing what Coach Woody wants, the standard we set last year is what I have to bring this year and learn how to lead the team. I have to help lead the younger guys and bring them into our culture and help us go farther in the (NCAA) Tournament and win a Big Ten title.
IU will get a boost from five-star forward Mackenzie Mgbako. Gunn goes against him often in practice.
"He brings his grit," Gunn says. "His aggressiveness challenges us every day to get better. He brings that competition in practice. Iron sharpens iron. He's getting better and I'm going to get better. When we get in a game, we'll be fine.
"He's a tough shot maker. He's a great player and a great player to play with. We have a lot to learn about each other and get more comfortable playing with each other."
The Hoosiers aim to improve on last season's 23-12 record despite losing four starters. Bringing in the nation's No. 9-rated newcomer class helps.
"We're deep," Gunn says. "We have all the pieces to the puzzle we need.
"One thing I love as Coach Woodson has built this culture is we're in the gym consistently every day getting better. That's everybody.
"(Fans) are worried about transitioning and being a new team. I'm not worried about that at all. We're deep this year and we're going to handle business.
"This is a great feeling knowing we have a chance to be something great. I believe we're going to do something special."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – You know the saying, good things come to those who wait? That works until you have to wait.
Then it becomes a test. CJ Gunn knows it well.
Has Indiana's sophomore guard passed it? Is he better for last season's reserve-role struggles?
Opportunity to prove it comes this season.
"It's difficult," he says. "No path in life will be easy."
It wasn't last season when Gunn went from high school superstar to college understudy. In 20 games, he averaged 2.0 points and 30.9% shooting in 7.5 minutes. He only played 64 minutes in Big Ten play.
That was a big drop from his 23.5-point senior average at Indianapolis Lawrence North High School, and even though most freshmen go through adjust-to-college struggles (fellow freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino being an exception by playing beyond his years en route to becoming an NBA first-round choice), it stung.
"You have thoughts that I can't do this," Gunn says. "I can't get there. But I'm a man of God. I believe God has my back. You just have to keep going to get to where you want to get to. As long as you're in the gym, putting in that work and your love of the game continues, you'll be fine."
The 6-6 Gunn, an outstanding shooter for most of his life (he once made nine 3-pointers in a high school game), was just 2-for-24 from three-point range last season. He offset that with 10 steals and solid defense.
"I did a good job on the defensive side, but my offense wasn't clicking the way I wanted it to.
"As long as you're confident and put in the effort, (offense) will handle itself. Defense is all effort and energy. I've always brought that. I will continue to bring that and take my two-way game to the next level."
Elevating his offensive game goes beyond shooting.
"It's knowing a good shot from a bad one," he says. "Cutting off the ball, getting my teammates involved, as well. Where I want to evolve my game further is bringing the ball up the floor and being more of a combo guard transitioning from the 1 (point guard) to the 2 (shooting guard)."
He showed that potential in high school, and again in summer workouts.
"I'm good with creating space when it comes to coming off down screens or cutting or action throughout our motion offense. That's what I specialize in."
Gunn got a good-shooting example from new director of player development Calbert Cheaney, the Big Ten's career scoring leader who played 13 NBA seasons.
"In training sessions, I watched Coach Cheaney's film. He really lived in the mid-range when he was in the league. That's one of my specialties with my ability to leap off the floor and rise above my opponents to get my shot up. He's teaching me to be more effective with one-two dribbles and collapsing the defense or get my shot off."
Gunn's family connections with Cheaney accelerated their relationship building. Gunn called him before Cheaney even arrived in Bloomington earlier this summer.
"We were already excited about getting in the gym before he got here. From the first practice, we were tight. He's really good for us. He's another piece of the puzzle in making this program great."
Despite his limited playing experience and sophomore status, Gunn is expected to be a backcourt leader along with veterans Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway.
He's all in, and if it works out, he could emerge as the first backcourt option behind Johnson and Galloway.
"It's a challenge, but that's what I'm here for. I didn't come here to be comfortable. I came here to be pushed outside my element. I have to get used to being uncomfortable. That's a great opportunity for me to take my game to the next level."
Gunn is more comfortable playing in coach Mike Woodson's system.
"Knowing what Coach Woody wants, the standard we set last year is what I have to bring this year and learn how to lead the team. I have to help lead the younger guys and bring them into our culture and help us go farther in the (NCAA) Tournament and win a Big Ten title.
IU will get a boost from five-star forward Mackenzie Mgbako. Gunn goes against him often in practice.
"He brings his grit," Gunn says. "His aggressiveness challenges us every day to get better. He brings that competition in practice. Iron sharpens iron. He's getting better and I'm going to get better. When we get in a game, we'll be fine.
"He's a tough shot maker. He's a great player and a great player to play with. We have a lot to learn about each other and get more comfortable playing with each other."
The Hoosiers aim to improve on last season's 23-12 record despite losing four starters. Bringing in the nation's No. 9-rated newcomer class helps.
"We're deep," Gunn says. "We have all the pieces to the puzzle we need.
"One thing I love as Coach Woodson has built this culture is we're in the gym consistently every day getting better. That's everybody.
"(Fans) are worried about transitioning and being a new team. I'm not worried about that at all. We're deep this year and we're going to handle business.
"This is a great feeling knowing we have a chance to be something great. I believe we're going to do something special."
Players Mentioned
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