Watch: Trayce Jackson-Davis discusses the Warriors, Mike Woodson, Archie Miller, IU’s recruiting, Bloomington and more

Former Indiana basketball standout forward Trayce Jackson-Davis has officially transitioned up to the pro-level and begun his next chapter in his basketball career.

Trayce Jackson-Davis hopped on the Damon Bruce Show to talk about being drafted to Golden State, Mike Woodson, Indiana’s recruiting, Archie Miller, and much more.

Coming off a season where he averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.9 blocks per game while also being selected as consensus First-Team All-American and unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten selection, Jackson-Davis would be selected at No. 57 spot by the Golden State Warriors.

He would agree to four-year deal with the Golden State Warriors during this offseason, with two of those year’s being fully guaranteed. In two Vegas Summer League games, he averaged 16.0 points on 14-of-21 from the field and 8.5 rebounds a game for the Warriors.

While the wait for Trayce Jackson-Davis to be selected on draft night was way longer than nearly everyone expected, it turned out to be arguably the best possible situation for the All-American forward.

“Out of the teams that I looked at, this was probably the top team I was looking for,” Trayce Jackson-Davis said while speaking to Damon Bruce. “How they space with shooters and me being able to put pressure on the rim, I think it’s going to be great for both parties.”

“I’m blessed to be in the position I am in. Having CP3 (Chris Paul), especially just going under wing and showing me the art of the pick-and-roll case he’s mastered that. Having Steph (Curry) and being able to locate guys on my passes and stuff of that nature and how he just spaces the floor will make my life a lot easier. I think it’s going to be huge…same with Klay (Thompson) and Draymond (Green) it’s just all going to be perfect for me, honestly.”

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Jackson-Davis left an unbelievable mark at Indiana, becoming one of the greatest players to ever put on an Indiana jersey when his four-year college career. He helped lead Indiana into the new area and brought the program back to a successful point the past few seasons which has gotten the attention of high level recruits.

But who does Jackson-Davis give the credit to in turning the program around and getting the top level recruits to take notice? Pretty simple answer: Mike Woodson

“It’s coach (Mike) Woodson. Me and him sat and talked in his office and he’s a really, really genuine human being,” said Jackson-Davis.

“I think when players come in and see him, they see his background, they see his NBA experience, they see where he’s going to be with his offense. He’s a straight shooter, he’s going to tell you, ‘I want you to do this.’….That’s what Coach Woody is about, you’re going to work at it, and then apply it.”

“…he’s going to tell you where he sees you and tell you how to get to the next level and obviously when you get players like that, that’s when you start changing your program.”

Even if Mike Woodson had not been hired and Archie Miller remained as the head coach of the Hoosiers during Jackson-Davis’ time at Indiana, the former IU forward still thinks he would have made it to the NBA.

“I would still assume yes because I still think Archie (Miller) is still a hell of a coach, honestly,” said Jackson-Davis. “He is a big X’s and O’s guy and I think his ‘player relationship’ was his part that threw it off a little bit. Other than that, he was a hell of a coach. I actually enjoyed being around him.”

While Trayce Jackson-Davis moves onto his NBA career, Bloomington, Indiana will always have a special place in his heart.

“There is a lot of things I am going to miss about Bloomington,” said Jackson-Davis. “Obviously my teammates first-and-foremost, the coaches, the fans, the arena…holds a nice place next to my heart…it’s sad to go but at the same time I put in four good years there and I felt like I was ready for the next step. I’ll always have a home there.”

Jackson-Davis finished his Indiana career as the program’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,143) and blocked shots (270) and was third in scoring (2,258) and double-doubles (50).

Below is the full 1-on-1 interview between Trayce Jackson-Davis and Damon Bruce.

SEE ALSO: ‘He’s going to be a great asset for Golden State’: Jay Bilas on former IU basketball forward Trayce Jackson-Davis

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