Indiana Basketball Returner Focus: Sophomore Guard CJ Gunn

The Indiana basketball program is going to look a whole lot different with many new faces coming in this season plus the new versatile style of play that is expected to take place.

While there are many new faces to the program, the Hoosiers will return six players with the experience to help lead the new group.

Earlier this offseason, we took a look at all the new players in our Indiana basketball Newcomer Focus series. Now, we will focus on the guys that will return for Mike Woodson and Indiana this upcoming season.

For today, we take a look at sophomore forward guard CJ Gunn and look back at last year plus his role for the 2023-2024 Indiana basketball season.

Other Players in this series: Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal, Malik Reneau and Kaleb Banks.

Last Season Reflection

CJ Gunn was the first player to kick off the 2022 Indiana basketball recruiting class and turned out to be the only in-state player in the class. He had originally committed to Indiana under form head coach Archie Miller before keeping his commitment after Mike Woodson was hired. Gunn chose the Hoosiers over schools such as Kansas State, Xavier, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, and others.

Gunn attended Lawrence North High School where he became the all-time leader in the school’s history in points per game average while also helping lead the Wildcats to an Indiana Class 4A state runner-up appearance in 2021 under legendary coach Jack Keefer. In his senior year, averaged 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 37.4% from deep which led him to becoming member of 2022 Indiana All-Star team.

Like his fellow 2022 class member Kaleb Banks, Gunn mostly earned ‘spot minutes’ during his freshman year at Indiana due to the loaded, experienced rotation at the guard position last season.

The 6-foot-5 wing only saw action in 20 total games last season. His best outing was in Indiana’s win over Elon where he scored his current career-high of 11 points.

“Coach (Woodson) just always tells me and the other guys to just stay ready and be ready to hoop,” Gunn said last season after his career-high 11 points against Elon. “Obviously I wanted to get in the game, so when I get the opportunity I’m going to play the best ball I can and do the things Coach asks me to do.”

Gunn was known coming into the Indiana basketball program as one of the better knockdown shooters in the state, however due to his inconsistent minutes and never really finding his flow in the offense, he often displayed some struggles shooting the ball. However, Gunn always brought a much-needed ‘edge’ on the court, especially on the defensive end, when he would get playing opportunities.

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

Role for 2023-24 Season

Like fellow sophomores Malik Reneau and Kaleb Banks, Gunn is expected to see a major role increase in the Indiana basketball 2023-2024 season due to the seven total departures from a year ago. As it stands right now, Gunn could very likely be the first guard off the bench for the Hoosiers.

Going into year two however, CJ Gunn is ready for the challenge.

While Gunn’s biggest strength is his shooting ability, he came into this offseason wanting to expand on his overall game especially when it comes to being more comfortable on the floor, limiting his mistakes and unlock his ability to play more on the ball becoming more of his combo guard.

Gunn is underrated in creating and scoring both on and off the ball.

“Just being more affective” said Gunn earlier this summer. “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.”

Gunn will continue to bring that edge that you saw a few times last season. A few of Gunn’s best traits he brings on the floor is his edginess, high motor and energetic mindset. He is a workhorse of a player that is always looking to get better and better.

As he said over the summer, Gunn did not come here to be comfortable. He embraces the challenge that Mike Woodson and the Indiana basketball staff have placed on him.

“It’s a challenge but that’s why I came here. I didn’t come here to be comfortable,” Gunn said. “I came here to be pushed outside my element and to get used to being comfortable being uncomfortable. I see it as a great opportunity for me to take my game to the next level.”

As far as under-the-radar players on the Indiana roster this upcoming season, Gunn is a dark horse to breakout for the Hoosiers. With increased minutes very likely, you should see more consistent production from the Indianapolis native.

Notable Quotes

“Just coming into my second year, being more comfortable out on the floor and just knowing what coach Woody wants,“ Gunn said when speaking to the media over Zoom this summer. “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.”

“It’s difficult. No path in life is going to be easy. You’re going to have those thoughts about ‘I can’t do this,’ ‘I’m not going to get there,’ but I’m a faithful guy and I believe that God is always going to have my back and through that faith, why would I give up now? You just got to keep going,” Gunn said. “You’re going to get to where you want to get to. As long as you’re in the gym and you’re putting that work in and your love for the game is genuine, then God got me.”

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

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