Redshirt freshman guard Jakai Newton has entered the transfer portal, he announced Monday evening.
Jakai Newton confirmed on Instagram he’s in the transfer portal. #iubb pic.twitter.com/8kAKxvfYr0
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) March 25, 2025
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.