The in-state class of 2023 isn’t loaded with high major talent, but one player in the incoming junior class who has been on Indiana’s radar for a long time is eyeing a June visit to Bloomington.
Crispus Attucks (Indianapolis, Ind.) 2023 forward Jalen Hooks told The Daily Hoosier on Friday that his family is looking for a date to visit the IU coaches and campus next month.
“We don’t have a set date yet but we have talked and said that one of these days at the end of June, we’re just trying to figure out which day,” Hooks told The Daily Hoosier.
The 6-foot-7 Hooks is physically gifted, tough-minded, is an impressive finisher at the rim, can handle the ball for his size, has good vision, guards the ball well, and is a good rim protector. At this point he just needs to become more consistent and develop all of his skills to the next level.
He dealt with an injury this spring, but Hooks has been back on the court with his George Hill All Indy AAU team that last couple weeks and he said he is working on rounding out all aspects of his game.
“I’m still pretty much just working on everything,” Hooks said. If he had to name one area of focus? “Probably my pick-and-roll IQ, I’m watching film and figuring things out,” he added.
Hooks averaged 11.1 points in 24 games for a highly talented Attucks team in 2020-21. He pulled down 8.4 rebounds, passed out 3.3 assists, and added 2 blocks and 1.7 steals per contest. He is a 4-star and the No. 55 player in the class nationally according to the most recent 247Sports rankings.
Although he hasn’t had a chance to talk yet with new Indiana head coach Mike Woodson, Hooks sees a valuable resource in the 25 year NBA coach.
“I’m glad that he chose to take it down a notch and coach college basketball, and I’m glad that he’s here,” Hooks said of Woodson.
The Indianapolis product’s connections to IU run deep. Most of Hooks’ family went to IU including his sister that recently graduated. In a conversation with The Daily Hoosier last summer Hooks said he is good friends with Trayce Jackson-Davis and others in the program.
Hooks’ sophomore season highlights are below. He is No. 33.
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