He’s ready to prove he’s worth the wait — IU basketball guard Jakai Newton says he’s ‘100 percent’ but Mike Woodson continues to tread lightly.

One of the returning IU basketball players who has yet to actually make his debut is redshirt freshman Jakai Newton. The 6-foot-3 guard has been sidelined with injuries for much of the last 24 months, causing a slow recovery process to keep him subdued.

After suffering an injury the summer between his junior and senior seasons of high school, he missed the majority of his final high school season. Then, a re-aggrevation of the injury kept him out of the entire 2023-24 season for IU basketball.

On Aug. 16 of last year, Indiana announced that Newton would be out indefinitely — ultimately redshirting him.

But, expectations remain high for the extremely athletic guard — whenever his debut for the Hoosiers is. But, there remains a slow process in front of him even if he’s ready to get back to action.

“I’m good to go, I’m 100 percent,” Newton said during IU basketball media day on Wednesday. “There’s ups and downs. There were many days where I would feel good, then would have some setbacks (last year).”

Newton has been back on the floor practicing with the team and at periods throughout the summer, was really standing out in certain situations.

But, it’s the inconsistency in terms of his availability that keeps IU basketball head coach Mike Woodson weary on when he’ll officially be 100 percent back.

“Lat year, he didn’t get to do a whole lot. Basically, his learning sessions came in film and watching practice,” Woodson said. “He still hasn’t fully recovered. He’s had some good days but we can’t consistently keep him in practice and on the basketball floor yet. That’s been frustrating for him, but he’s gotta keep working through it. That’s all I can tell him.

“Medical people are telling him the same thing, you just got to keep working where you can constantly stay on the floor and play basketball. That’s kind of been his hang up right now.”

Newton committed to Indiana over offers from Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Xavier, Clemson and many others. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game a junior at Newton (Ga.) High School, his last full season played.

He was a four-star prospect in the 2023 class and finished his high school career ranked No. 117 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

So, whenever Newton does make his debut — there are a few things he’s ready to show.

And, he’s ready to come back and prove all of the time off has been well worth it.

“First, staying healthy,” Newton said. “Making an impact on the defensive end. Rebounding. Scoring, too. Really doing everything. I feel like there isn’t any limits to my game. I can do things on both sides of the ball.

“I’m only 6-2, 6-3, but I have a build that’s much bigger than that — so I think I can go with anyone.”

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