IU basketball freshman Jakai Newton’s college basketball career has hit a snag before it started.
The guard suffered a knee injury more than a year ago and has dealt with some twists and turns since.
On Wednesday the IU basketball program said in a release Newton had a procedure related to the original injury.
“Indiana freshman guard Jakai Newton underwent a procedure to treat a pre-existing injury today. There is no timetable for his return at this point,” the release said.
The Georgia native suffered a knee injury that required surgery in the late spring of 2022. He didn’t play from May of 2022 until February of 2023, and Newton hasn’t been part of live 5-on-5 since arriving at IU.
Newton told The Daily Hoosier last November that there were multiple aspects to the injury he suffered, including microfracture surgery. He played for a couple weeks to close out his high school career.
Ranked No. 84 on ESPN, No. 86 on 247Sports, and No. 64 on Rivals, Newton helped guide Newton High School to the 2022 AAAAAAA state semifinals. He averaged 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game as a junior.
Listed by IU at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Newton was coach Mike Woodson’s first commit in the class of 2023. He committed to Hoosiers before Woodson’s first game as head coach.
“I knew coach (Woodson) being from the NBA, I knew he was going to be able to get things back to where they used to be,” he told The Daily Hoosier. “I fully believe in Coach Woodson that he’s going to able to help me get to the next level.”
Assuming Newton is unavailable, Indiana will only have five guards to open the 2023-24 season: Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway, C.J. Gunn, Gabe Cupps and Anthony Leal. Woodson said recently he wants forwards Kaleb Banks and Mackenzie Mgbako to take on wing roles.
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