While the dynamic duo of Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau should hypothetically be the most important players for the Indiana men's basketball team next year, do not be shocked if it is the new guy in town who ends up earning the title of the team's best overall player when the 2024-2025 season is all said and done.
Mike Woodson has a plethora of reinforcements inbound for what is shaping up to be a bounce back campaign in B-Town, but Bryson Tucker stands out as the newcomer with the potential to make the strongest impact for Indiana.
As a 6'7", 195 pound swingman with a 6'9" wingspan and bundles of bounce, Tucker arrives at Assembly Hall with the physical profile to make major things happen all over the court. Combine those tangible tools with his intellectual wisdom on the floor, fearless spirit and extremely deep offensive bag, and you have all the makings of a player who should be able to make those aforementioned major things happen right from the jump.
The product of Maryland has been likened to retired NBA legend Grant Hill, as well as active association elite's Jayson Tatum and Cade Cunningham. Those comparisons may set extremely high expectations for Tucker, but when you watch him play you can undoubtedly understand these parallels.
He always seems so poised with the ball in his hands, and is extremely meticulous when it comes to getting to his spots. His midrange game is masterful, and while he certainly has some work to do from deep there is no denying the prettiness of his shooting stroke. If he can continue to make strides as a threat from beyond the arc, it is going to be a nightmare for defenders trying to find ways to contain him.
His skillset breeds a massive amount of excitement to see what he can do offensively, but defensively is where he could truly make his mark. Those previously noted physical gifts alone should earn him a ton of run hawking opposing teams' top perimeter threats, and could even earn him some time briefly relieving the big fellas of their duties from time to time.
All things considered, it just does not seem as though Tucker is receiving the type of hype which he should be leading up to his freshman season. With so much going on over the course of the past few weeks in terms of this roster rejuvenation, it is almost as though the fanbase has temporarily forgotten about how good this true freshman can be.
Here is your sign that Bryson Tucker is about to make the candy stripe faithful permanently remember his name in 2024-2025.