All-Big Ten forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is returning to IU basketball for the 2022-23 season, he announced today.
Jackson-Davis posted the news on his Twitter page along with a video.
His only words in the post and video were “23” and “I’m back.”
23’ pic.twitter.com/yJt4w2oJJ1
— TJD (@TrayceJackson) May 20, 2022
The 6-foot-9 Jackson-Davis had hoped to make a strong impression at the NBA Combine, but he could not participate after testing positive for COVID-19. Most NBA Draft projections had him going in the late second round or undrafted.
“The opportunity I had to work on my game for the professional level was something that was invaluable as I continue my growth as a basketball player,” said Jackson-Davis on Friday.
“However, I am looking forward to returning to Indiana to be with my coaches and teammates and building off of what we accomplished at the end of the season. There are goals I have for our team and for myself individually on the court, but at the end of next year more importantly, I will be proud to say I am a graduate of IU.”
According to a report by WISH-TV, Jackson-Davis and IU head coach Mike Woodson met on Thursday at 4 p.m. where the star forward likely delivered the news.
Jackson-Davis started all 35 games for IU in 2021-22 and led the team in scoring (18.3), rebounding (8.1), field goal percentage (58.9%), free throws made (147), free throws attempted (218) and blocked shots (81). He was second on the team with 66 assists, and he added 22 steals.
In three seasons Jackson-Davis has worked his way up to 15th on IU’s all-time scoring list with 1,588 points, ninth in rebounds (797), seventh in blocked shots (178), and seventh in field goal percentage (55.8%).
Since 2019-20, Jackson-Davis ranks fifth nationally in scoring (1,588), sixth in field goals made (588), fourth in free throws made (412), second in free throw attempts (797).
With this news, Indiana is back to having its full allotment of 13 scholarship players for the 2022-23 roster. The Hoosiers project to have one of their best rosters in the last decade, and should be widely viewed as a Big Ten contender and top-25 program.
Along those lines, CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein wrote this on Twitter upon learning of the Jackson-Davis news.
“Indiana has a legitimate chance next year to win its first Big Ten regular season title since 2016,” Rothstein wrote. “With the return of Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Hoosiers are 17th in the ROTHSTEIN 45.”
The Greenwood, Ind. product has two years of college eligibility remaining.
Jackson-Davis declared for the NBA Draft in April, and he had until June 1 to decide whether to remain in there or return to college.
This is what Indiana’s roster looks like at this point in time:
- PG – Xavier Johnson
- PG – Jalen Hood-Schifino
- SG – Tamar Bates
- SG – Trey Galloway
- SG – CJ Gunn
- SG/SF – Anthony Leal
- SF – Miller Kopp
- SF/PF – Jordan Geronimo
- SF/PF – Kaleb Banks
- PF – Race Thompson
- PF – Malik Reneau
- PF/C – Trayce Jackson-Davis
- C – Logan Duncomb
See also: NIL may give Jackson-Davis incentive to stay in college.
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