Hoosier State Hoops: Geronimo Bolsters IU 2020 Recruiting Class

Jordan Geronimo, a versatile 6-6 wing from the Mass Rivals AAU team in Massachusetts, has committed to the Indiana Hoosiers, becoming the third player in the squad’s 2020 recruiting class.

Indiana head coach Archie Miller likes to have versatility among his players defensively. Geronimo, who fits as a small forward, will be able to help this recruiting class shape up to be big for them. The Hoosiers are looking to possibly snag six recruits with a particular emphasis on securing another center or guard.

I also think that Geronimo is a good add for coach Archie Miller nationally. He has been staking out the state of Indiana with additions of Trey Galloway (The Culver Academies) and Anthony Leal (Bloomington South High School), to name a few. Having this addition is good for a Hoosier program that wants to recruit at an elite level.  

Geronimo will look to bring defensive versatility to Indiana and the Hoosiers desperately need it. They finished ninth in the Big Ten defensively in points allowed per game with 67.8. Geronimo, with his long and lanky body, will most certainly help the Hoosiers become better on that end of the floor. 

For an example, the NBA is all about having defenders who can be versatile. In college, it seems that this trend is going up. This move will very much help Indiana get back on track with how teams match up defensively. 

On the offensive end, he averaged 56% from the field and is known as someone who can roll and get downhill against defenses. Geronimo, to give you a comparison, has a chance to be like Freddy McSwain in his pick and roll game. McSwain was more athletic than Geronimo will be, but his ability to finish through contact can separate him from the other wings already at IU. 

However, there is much more to Geronimo’s game that Archie Miller can look into. He can shoot the ball effectively from downtown and that can allow Trayce-Jackson Davis, if he stays beyond his freshman year, to have one more player that can help spread the court out. Geronimo reminds me of PJ Tucker of the Houston Rockets. And for those who watched the Hoosiers last season, then you understand that there needs to be players who understand their roles in Coach Miller’s system. 

Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, Geronimo won’t play this season. So here are some things to keep in mind for how Geronimo could fit into what they will try to do in 2020. 

 

• Improve 3-point shooting

• Depth on wing defense

• Fighting out of a deep Big Ten