Former Indiana basketball forward Jordan Geronimo receives high praise at Big Ten Media Day

The Indiana basketball program lost seven players from its roster a season ago — including three to the transfer portal.

One of those players stayed in the Big Ten, however, transferring to Maryland. That was hybrid-forward Jordan Geronimo.

Geronimo spent three years with Indiana as a significant piece to the rotation. But, a fresh start was needed for both parties this offseason. Now, he fresh start is with the Terps and, just a few months in, he’s changed things for that program.

“When Jordan went into the portal, I had known Jordan from being at Seton Hall and him being from Newark. I know his mom. It was just one of those things. He was one of those guys that just was going to be a game-changer for us. Jordan so far has — our practices, we haven’t practiced longer than an hour and 26 minutes because our practices are so athletic and so physical,” Maryland head coach Kevin Willard said. “He has changed — I have a lineup with Donta Scott, Jordan Geronimo, Julian, and Mady Traore. We are big and physical.

“Jordan has changed the way we play. He is that good of a player. He is shooting the basketball great. He is skilled. More than anything he has just changed our roster just by adding him.”

Maryland is coming off of a 22-13 record last season in Willard’s first year with the program. They lost in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

“Yeah, I think the thing we talked about as a staff that was really important after we lost to Alabama in the NCAA Tournament was we really needed to change our athleticism,” Willard continued. “Again, I had a great team last year. They were so fun to coach, but there was some limits on what we could do physically and athletically.”

Known for his athleticism, Geronimo averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game last year for Indiana. He missed seven games with a lower leg injury, an injury that really held him back after what looked like a few breakthrough performances.

Geronimo had his best stretch of games this season at the start of Big Ten play when starting forward Race Thompson went down with a knee injury. Geronimo started five games in a row and averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He had 12 points and 11 rebounds against Wisconsin and 13 points and eight rebounds against Illinois in back-to-back performances.

“I thought he (Geronimo) was more relaxed tonight,” Woodson said after Indiana’s win over Wisconsin. “And he did a lot of positive things on both ends of the floor. I just hope he can just grow from this game and continue to play that well.”

The ailing leg injury caused inconsistent minutes and eventually a decreased role. Geronimo scored just six points total the final nine games of the season.

In three seasons for Indiana, he averaged 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per game.

Maryland and Geronimo travel to Bloomington to take on Indiana on Dec. 1.

SEE ALSO: ‘I want to win now’: Mike Woodson is done accepting mediocracy. He’s ready to take Indiana basketball to new heights.

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