CJ Gunn stepping up in hopes to ‘surpass’ expectations of IU basketball backcourt next season

IU basketball is going to look a whole lot different next season with no Trayce Jackson-Davis or Jalen Hood-Schifino to be an anchor.

Players at all positions for Indiana need to step up, period.

When especially looking at the backcourt group, one player that is almost certainly going to see a huge increase in minutes is sophomore guard CJ Gunn. With Gunn’s mindset as a player, he is more than ready for the challenge no matter how uncomfortable it gets.

After playing sparingly in his freshman season at Indiana, seeing action in 20 games, Gunn came into this offseason knowing there was a chance to step up his game while also helping lead the younger guys into the culture that Mike Woodson has built.

“Just coming into me second year, being more comfortable out on the floor and just knowing what coach Woody wants,“ Gunn said when speaking to the media this past Thursday. “Just the standard that we set last year is what I have to bring this year and learn how to lead the team now being older and help lead the younger guys and to bring them into our culture, our family and to hopefully go further in the (NCAA) tournament this year and then get a Big Ten title.”

More: Trey Galloway looking to fill the void as leader left from last year’s seniors: ‘All those guys were really helpful to me’

In the offseason, former IU basketball all-time great Calbert Cheaney returned to the program as the new Director of Player Development.

Gunn’s family already had ties with Cheaney way before he came back to the program. Gunn was already eager to work with the IU legend and learn from him, making it a perfect partnership.

In order for Gunn to help take his game to that next level, this was the kind of boost he needed.

“We were already excited to get in the gym before he even got down here,” said Gunn. “The first practice I watched film with him. The first day we got training sessions in. Me and his bond is already tight and I feel like he is really rooting for us and is another piece of the puzzle to making this program great.

“I watch coach Cheaney’s film also and he really lived in the mid-range when he was in the league (NBA) and that’s really one of my specialties with my ability to leap off the floor raise above my opponents to let me shot off. He is really teaching me how to be more affective with one or two dribbles by either collapsing the defense or get my shot off.”

On the floor next season for IU basketball, Gunn wants to continue to bring his electric energy while also developing his overall game. At this point in time, Gunn has been able to show that he can work off the ball and open up a look.

Next year, Gunn wants to be more well-rounded, be a smarter player, limit his mistakes and unlock his ability to play more on the ball.

“Just being more affective” said Gunn. “Knowing a good shot from a bad shot. Just coming off the ball and getting my teammates involved as well. Where I am looking to evolve my game further is bringing the ball up the floor and being more of a combo guard, transitioning from the 1 and the 2.”

With only Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway as the two players that return next season with experience running the Indiana backcourt, there is certainly room on the roster for guys such as CJ Gunn to step up and be factor at all of the guard spots.

Replacing Jalen Hood-Schifino will be a difficult task. However, Gunn feels that Indiana has the backcourt players to be an even better team than last year.

“Fino (Hood-Schifino) left our backcourt and he is doing his own thing in the league and that’s my brother and I wish him nothing but the best, but I don’t feel like we lost anything when it comes to guards and the positions,” said Gunn. “I feel like our backcourt with KB (Banks), X (Johnson), Gallo (Galloway), me, Gabe (Cupps)…I feel like we are all willing fill those shoes and, if not, surpass them shoes in order to be better than the team we were last year.”

SEE ALSO: Player Q&A: IU basketball guard CJ Gunn discusses offseason development

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