Today could be a big day for Indiana basketball as 2023 four-star guard Jakai Newton is set to make is college announcement at 3 pm ET.
The 6-foot-4 guard from Newton (GA) High School took an official visit to Indiana last weekend.
Newton is ranked No. 43 in the Rivals150 rankings.
Newton on IU: I loved the visit. I knew it was a basketball school already but just seeing how basketball was everywhere I looked just shows how important it is in Indiana.'
TheHoosier.com recently spoke with his high school coach to get some more insight on Newton as a player and leader.
Charlemagne Gibbons on Newton's leadership: 'He's a very lead by example player. He does it all right... What I challenged him to do is bring your teammates along with you with that same attention to detail on the floor. It's great you do it, but now get your teammates to do it because you have already set that example and have the voice in the locker room.... He does all of the little things correct.'
Gibbons on Newton as a player: 'He continues to polish his game and develop his game. Outside shooting has come along really well, he's always been a really good off of the dribble player and an explosive athlete... I think being able to initiate the offense in a full court capacity (is his next step). He's a really good ball handler. There is a difference between being a really good ball handler which he is and initiating the offense. That'll be the next phase as he continues to grow... it's not his handling or his vision, he is a great passer, It's just continuing to get more reps at just understanding when to initiate as appose to attacking from the wing or perimeter.'
Newton has Vanderbilt and Georgia as the other finalists.
More on Newton:
indiana.rivals.com
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The other bigger news for the class of 2023 is the official visit to top-40 forward Xavier Booker.
The Cathedral (IN) forward is wrapping up his visit to Indiana today (Friday). By all accounts, I am told the visit has gone really well.
Booker exploded onto the scene this summer. The biggest things he needs to work on his his shot and motor. He has all of the skill in the world, but brining it consistently is something he needs to do in order to be the type of player he's showed at the next level.
Cathedral HC Jason Delaney on Booker: 'Xavier has really improved in his versatility. He’s able to lead a break, provide a perimeter threat, and on the defensive end has really come along being able to guard on the perimeter. I think the next step in his game is continuing to get stronger. Also clean up his handles on the drive, and to continue to be able to guard on the perimeter.'
Booker took his first official visit to Purdue and took another to Kansas State. He has also visited Iowa unofficially this month.
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2023 four-star point guard Jeremy Fears announced a top-8 list last weekend consisting of Indiana, Memphis, Kansas, Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, UConn and Missouri.
He has visited Indiana twice this summer/fall.
Fears on Indiana visits: 'We met the coaching staff. Got a chance to see most of the facilities and watch the guys practice a little. Coaches were great... Coaching staff was incredible. It’s (the relationship) been really good. Coach (Woodson) is a great guy and we keep in good contact.'
Fears has scheduled his first official visit to Memphis for Nov 8-9.
Indiana is still going hard after Fears but the extremely strong mutual interest with IU and Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton have sped up. Not saying IU can't/won't grab two of the three, but the likelihood of landing all three is very small. At this point, Cupps and Newton sit stronger with IU than Fears does.
Getting Fears back on campus for an official visit is obviously big and needs to happen if IU wants to land him.
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Class of 2022 prospect Noah Clowney begins his Alabama official visit this weekend -- the last of his official visits.
Earlier this week he announced he would change his announcement date from Oct 31 to Nov 1. Not much should be looked into that. Either way he sets himself up to sign early, which is wha the has wanted to do all along.
Clowney has Indiana, Florida, Virginia Tech and Alabama in his final 4.
Up to this point, IU and VT are the top two with Alabama being the wildcard. Most of the talk to this point has been very positive around Indiana but the ability to stay closer to home has meant a decent amount to the people around him when thinking of Virginia Tech.
Clowney on IU: '"Really the vibes were great. The people seem very genuine from the staff to athletic academic directs to everyone on the team (that I met)... It was crazy. I love the fans. Also Coach Woodson seems real genuine, real down to earth. I trust him.'
More on Clowney:
indiana.rivals.com
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Small notes...
- Trayce Jackson-Davis was named to the Karl Malone Watch List earlier this week. That is given to the top power forward in the country. He is returning after averaging 19.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
- Indiana is still set to take on Belmont in a 'secret scrimmage' next weekend. IU's first against Cincinnati was cancelled due to some lingering injuries on IU's side.
- The initial class of 2024 rankings came out for Rivals. The top-40 has multiple IU targets listed -- most notably Bryson Tucker (No. 3) and Derik Queen (No. 4).
Full rankings:
The 6-foot-4 guard from Newton (GA) High School took an official visit to Indiana last weekend.
Newton is ranked No. 43 in the Rivals150 rankings.
Newton on IU: I loved the visit. I knew it was a basketball school already but just seeing how basketball was everywhere I looked just shows how important it is in Indiana.'
TheHoosier.com recently spoke with his high school coach to get some more insight on Newton as a player and leader.
Charlemagne Gibbons on Newton's leadership: 'He's a very lead by example player. He does it all right... What I challenged him to do is bring your teammates along with you with that same attention to detail on the floor. It's great you do it, but now get your teammates to do it because you have already set that example and have the voice in the locker room.... He does all of the little things correct.'
Gibbons on Newton as a player: 'He continues to polish his game and develop his game. Outside shooting has come along really well, he's always been a really good off of the dribble player and an explosive athlete... I think being able to initiate the offense in a full court capacity (is his next step). He's a really good ball handler. There is a difference between being a really good ball handler which he is and initiating the offense. That'll be the next phase as he continues to grow... it's not his handling or his vision, he is a great passer, It's just continuing to get more reps at just understanding when to initiate as appose to attacking from the wing or perimeter.'
Newton has Vanderbilt and Georgia as the other finalists.
More on Newton:
TheHoosier - 2023 four-star guard Jakai Newton recaps Indiana official visit
2023 top-45 guard Jakai Newton came away impressed following his visit to Indiana.
indiana.rivals.com
---
The other bigger news for the class of 2023 is the official visit to top-40 forward Xavier Booker.
The Cathedral (IN) forward is wrapping up his visit to Indiana today (Friday). By all accounts, I am told the visit has gone really well.
Booker exploded onto the scene this summer. The biggest things he needs to work on his his shot and motor. He has all of the skill in the world, but brining it consistently is something he needs to do in order to be the type of player he's showed at the next level.
Cathedral HC Jason Delaney on Booker: 'Xavier has really improved in his versatility. He’s able to lead a break, provide a perimeter threat, and on the defensive end has really come along being able to guard on the perimeter. I think the next step in his game is continuing to get stronger. Also clean up his handles on the drive, and to continue to be able to guard on the perimeter.'
Booker took his first official visit to Purdue and took another to Kansas State. He has also visited Iowa unofficially this month.
---
2023 four-star point guard Jeremy Fears announced a top-8 list last weekend consisting of Indiana, Memphis, Kansas, Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, UConn and Missouri.
He has visited Indiana twice this summer/fall.
Fears on Indiana visits: 'We met the coaching staff. Got a chance to see most of the facilities and watch the guys practice a little. Coaches were great... Coaching staff was incredible. It’s (the relationship) been really good. Coach (Woodson) is a great guy and we keep in good contact.'
Fears has scheduled his first official visit to Memphis for Nov 8-9.
Indiana is still going hard after Fears but the extremely strong mutual interest with IU and Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton have sped up. Not saying IU can't/won't grab two of the three, but the likelihood of landing all three is very small. At this point, Cupps and Newton sit stronger with IU than Fears does.
Getting Fears back on campus for an official visit is obviously big and needs to happen if IU wants to land him.
---
Class of 2022 prospect Noah Clowney begins his Alabama official visit this weekend -- the last of his official visits.
Earlier this week he announced he would change his announcement date from Oct 31 to Nov 1. Not much should be looked into that. Either way he sets himself up to sign early, which is wha the has wanted to do all along.
Clowney has Indiana, Florida, Virginia Tech and Alabama in his final 4.
Up to this point, IU and VT are the top two with Alabama being the wildcard. Most of the talk to this point has been very positive around Indiana but the ability to stay closer to home has meant a decent amount to the people around him when thinking of Virginia Tech.
Clowney on IU: '"Really the vibes were great. The people seem very genuine from the staff to athletic academic directs to everyone on the team (that I met)... It was crazy. I love the fans. Also Coach Woodson seems real genuine, real down to earth. I trust him.'
More on Clowney:
TheHoosier - National top-50 prospect Noah Clowney breaks down Indiana official visit
Four-star big Noah Clowney reacts to his official visit to Indiana.
indiana.rivals.com
---
Small notes...
- Trayce Jackson-Davis was named to the Karl Malone Watch List earlier this week. That is given to the top power forward in the country. He is returning after averaging 19.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
- Indiana is still set to take on Belmont in a 'secret scrimmage' next weekend. IU's first against Cincinnati was cancelled due to some lingering injuries on IU's side.
- The initial class of 2024 rankings came out for Rivals. The top-40 has multiple IU targets listed -- most notably Bryson Tucker (No. 3) and Derik Queen (No. 4).
Full rankings:
