IU student media

from Orienter New Student Guide 2022

by Indiana Daily Student - specials & guides

What we wished we knew

Returning IU basketball players to watch

By Emma Pawlitz

epawlitz@iu.edu | @emmapawlitz

In today’s landscape of college basketball, players who opt out of the NBA draft after their rst two years or choose to ignore the option of the transfer portal are a rarity. ese Indiana men’s and women’s basketball players had the option to leave Bloomington, whether it was to play professionally or at a di erent school, but decided to remain Hoosiers.

All of these players were instrumental in the success of their respective teams, so their o season decisions made for incredible news to the Hoosier faithful. e 2022-2023 basketball season is shaping up to be one for the books for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Race Thompson

ompson, who is returning to Indiana in his sixth season with the program, was a vital part of the team’s success last year. Dubbed a “glue guy” by his teammates, fans and members of the media, his consistency, e ort and leadership hold the team together. ompson was second on the team last season in rebounds per game, with 7.5, and eld goal percentage, at 53.6%. His average of 11.1 points per game was a career best, and he notched double- gure scoring 23 times during the 2021-2022 campaign. Beyond the numbers, ompson has an invaluable presence on the court. His hustle plays on defense, patience on o ense and smart decisions on both sides of the oor make him an irreplaceable part of the Hoosiers’ puzzle. He has been a team captain since 2020 and is bound to serve as a role model for Indiana’s four incoming freshmen

Xavier Johnson

Indiana’s point guard uncertainties were an issue during the rst half of the 2021-2022 season, but Johnson’s takeover as the primary facilitator in the latter half sparked a breakout for the fth-year senior that fans hope will continue into his nal year. Johnson’s o ensive production exploded at the end of the season – his scoring average went up almost 5 points per game from the beginning of February until the end of the season. Johnson’s con dence is one of his biggest assets, and his improved 3-point shooting, savvy moves around the basket and pesky defense played huge roles in Indiana’s postseason push into March Madness. Given his performance at the end of last season, Johnson is almost guaranteed to start in the point guard position next year, continuing to provide defensive lockdowns and o ensive sparks.