TJD on why Mike Woodson is having recruiting success, playing for Archie, much more

From consensus first team All-American to a four-year NBA contract, it’s been a whirlwind year for Trayce Jackson-Davis.

The IU all-time leader in rebounds and blocks did a one-on-one interview with radio host Damon Bruce to discuss his IU career, his NBA Draft night experience and shared his thoughts on playing for the Golden State Warriors.

Bruce asked Jackson-Davis why there has been an uptick in recruiting at IU under Mike Woodson, with the Hoosiers landing top talents like Jalen Hood-Schifino, Tamar Bates, and Malik Reneau, and in the hunt for several elite prospects in the class of 2024.

Jackson-Davis has a unique insight into Woodson as a recruiter, because he was really the first player Woodson recruited when he was hired in 2021.

“It’s Coach Woodson. Me and him sat and talked in his office (in 2021), and he’s a really, really genuine human being,” Jackson Davis said.

“I think when players come in and see him, they see his background, they see his NBA experience, they see where he’s going to be with his offense. He’s a straight shooter, he’s going to tell you, ‘I want you to do this,’ like you see Jalen Hood-Schifino, he told Fino he wants him to come in, he’s going to have the ball in his hands. Obviously he got a little pressure because X (Xavier Johnson) got hurt, but he had the ball in his hands and he was free to play. He worked on this mid-range jumpers and he applied them in the game. That’s what Coach Woody is about, you’re going to work at it, and then apply it.

“He goes into your house and he’s going to tell you where he sees you and tell you how to get to the next level. And obviously when you get players like that, that’s when you start changing your program.”

Jackson-Davis was also asked about playing for former head coach Archie Miller, who recruited the Greenwood, Ind. product to Bloomington. Jackson-Davis said he liked playing for Miller and thought he was a good X’s and O’s coach, but hinted he may have had issues with the player relationship aspect.

Jackson-Davis said he still thinks he would have been drafted if he played four years for Miller, but also noted the enhancements to his game that came under Woodson and helped to solidify him as an NBA draft choice.

“I don’t think my passing would have been as good, and I don’t think I would have been able to handle the ball like I was able to my senior year,” Jackson-Davis said.

You can watch the full interview below: