Redshirt Freshman Guard Jakai Newton Enters Transfer Portal

Newton's transfer makes it the fourth Indiana transfer this off-season
Indiana's Jakai Newton (0) scores during the the Indiana versus Marian men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
Indiana's Jakai Newton (0) scores during the the Indiana versus Marian men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Redshirt freshman guard Jakai Newton has entered the transfer portal, he announced Monday evening.

Newton a former four-star recruit from Newton High School in Covington, GA was a part of Mike Woodson's first recruiting class three seasons ago but his career has been sidelined by massive injuries over the past three years. The Georgia native played in four games and averaged 1.5 points per appearance in 2024-25.

The 6-foot-3 combo guard has had multiple knee surgeries and was never consistently healthy during his time in Bloomington. Newton suffered a hamstring injury and an unspecified lower body that he had surgery to repair missing the majority of the 2024-25 season.

If he is granted a medical redshirt for the 2024-25 season, he will have four seasons of eligibility remaining.

Jakai Newton's transfer makes it the fourth Indiana Hoosier that has transferred this off-season. Starting small forward Mackenzie Mgbako, power forward Malik Reneau and back up point guard Gabe Cupps have all entered the portal this month.

Darian DeVries was hired last Tuesday from West Virginia as Indiana’s 31st men’s basketball coach. It'll be interesting to see how he turns this roster around with those transfers and loss of four-star recruit Hraun Zrno.

Indiana is also losing seniors Anthony Leal, Trey Galloway and Oumar Ballo.

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