Indiana basketball recruiting: Four-star CG Jakai Newton commits to Hoosiers on CBS Sports HQ

Indiana received its first commitment for the 2023 recruiting class on Friday, when four-star combo guard Jakai Newton chose the Hoosiers over Georgia and Vanderbilt, among others, live on CBS Sports HQ. Newton is the 247Sports Composite’s No. 67 prospect in the 2023 class and No. 12 combo guard. Newton’s pledge extends the Hoosiers’ early recruiting success under first-year coach Mike Woodson.

“The relationships with the coaches and just watching how the fans react,” Newton said of what made Indiana stand out. “They add a great deal of vitality.”

According to the 247Sports team rankings, Indiana has the No. 12 rated 2022 recruiting class, and Newton’s pledge gives Woodson a great start with the 2023 class. The 6-foot-3 guard from Covington, Georgia, competes on the AAU circuit for Atlanta Xpress and for Newton High School, which has three four-star prospects in the Class of 2023. Newton is the first member of the group to make a college commitment.

According to Jeff Rabjohns of 247Sports’ Peegs.com, who covers Indiana recruitment. Newton is 6-foot-10 in height and has a 6-foot-10 wingspan. Rabjohns’ whole scouting report on Newton is as follows:

With his wingspan, he can play both guard positions and really could be a small forward or a third guard if needed. He has a pull-up game. He attacks the paint very well with the dribble. He’s outstanding in transition. He uses his athleticism and wingspan very well on both ends of the floor. He’s an impact defender. He’s an outstanding guard rebounder and can get up and block shots, even at the rim. He finishes with both hands and has tremendous body control on the move.