Welcome to “That’s A Wrap,” our player-by-player recap of the 2023-24 Indiana Hoosiers. At the moment: CJ Gunn.
Gunn (29 video games): 3.9 factors, one rebound and 34.2 FG% in 12.8 minutes per recreation.
Beforehand: Gabe Cupps, Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau, Kel’el Ware, Kaleb Banks
After a disappointing freshman season by which he shot 2-for-24 on 3s, there was preseason optimism CJ Gunn might take a step ahead as a sophomore.
Gunn, an Indianapolis native and Lawrence North product, was one of many prime shooters within the state within the 2022 recruiting class. Initially an Archie Miller recruit, Gunn reaffirmed his dedication to this system following Mike Woodson’s hiring within the spring of 2021.
A 6-foot-6 guard, Gunn shot 37.4 p.c as a senior at highschool. There was hope he might fill the void in an IU program determined for flooring spacers.
The ultimate numbers on Gunn’s sophomore season had been a lot improved — he shot a good 34 p.c on 3s — however consistency by no means materialized.
For a lot of the season, Gunn was an everyday a part of the rotation and a stellar defender, however his offensive effectivity numbers left a lot to be desired.
Gunn shot simply 24-for-70 on 2s (34.3) and posted the second-worst offensive score on the roster amongst rotation regulars at 87.2, in keeping with KenPom. His discipline aim proportion on 2s was the worst on the roster and he usually took lengthy 2-pointers, the least environment friendly shot in basketball.
He scored in double figures 3 times, with two of the efforts coming in full blowouts (at Purdue, Nebraska within the Large Ten match). His greatest recreation was a 10-point efficiency in a 71-65 victory towards Ohio State on Jan. 6 at Meeting Corridor. Gunn shot 4-for-7 from the sphere in 24 minutes.
“His previous couple of days of apply have been great,” Mike Woodson mentioned of Gunn following the Ohio State win. “I’m telling all these guys, , it’s the way you apply, man, that carries over into an actual basketball recreation.”
Nonetheless, Gunn fell out of the rotation late within the season in favor of Anthony Leal. Throughout IU’s five-game successful streak, he performed a complete of 4 minutes and didn’t see the courtroom in three of the victories.
After the season, Gunn entered his identify within the switch portal and in late March, he introduced he would play for Chris Holtmann subsequent season at DePaul. Gunn has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Backside line: A contemporary begin at DePaul will hopefully assist Gunn regain his confidence and provides him a chance for extra common minutes. With Indiana’s emphasis on guards within the switch portal this spring, he didn’t slot in this system’s plans. An instructional All-Large Ten choice final season, Gunn had 5 multi-steal video games final season and may be capable to carve out a wholesome position as DePaul seems to dig out of the basement of the Large East.
Quotable: “I imply, that simply comes from work he places in. CJ is within the health club on a regular basis and now you’re simply seeing the outcomes. He’s a man that has excessive confidence in himself and fears nothing.” – Xavier Johnson on Gunn following Indiana’s win towards Ohio State in early January.
Filed to: C.J. Gunn
