The 2018-19 Indiana University men’s basketball season is right around the corner. To help get you ready, The Daily Hoosier is profiling every player on the 2018-19 IU roster. You can see all of our 2018-19 player profiles in one place here. If you are looking for the 2018-19 IU basketball schedule, you can find that here.
Indiana might just have the best group of walk-ons in the country. Of course everyone knows about Zach McRoberts, but there are a few other highly talented players that support this team in practice and can contribute in games if duty calls.
Vijay Blackmon transferred to IU in 2017 and sat out last season to fulfill NCAA transfer requirements.
The Marion, Indiana native played for Saint Francis (NAIA) during the 2016-17 season, averaging 9.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 22 games.
For those that don’t know, yes, he is the younger brother of James Blackmon, Jr. Vijay is also the older brother of class of 2021 recruiting target Jalen Blackmon.
Coached by his father and former University of Kentucky star James Blackmon Sr. at Marion High School, Vijay led the Giants to the 2016 Indiana state basketball championship.
Vijay finished his high school career scoring 1,500 points, and he earned all-state honorable mention by the Associated Press as a senior.
He averaged 17.4 points and 2.9 assists during senior season, and 21.3 points per game as a junior at Marion.
ESSENTIALS
- Height: 6-foot-2
- Weight: 175
- Position: Guard
- Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Marion, Indiana
- High School: Marion
WHAT 2018-19 SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
The true success of a walk-on is generally measured off the court. Can Blackmon push his teammates in practice, can he help bring the freshmen along, is he a positive influence in the locker room?
While IU’s roster is deep, the good news for Blackmon is that IU has less depth in the back court. If the Hoosiers were to suffer a couple injuries or have serious foul trouble in a game, he could see the floor.
Based on what we’ve seen at the least two Hoosier Hysterias, if duty calls, Vijay will be ready. Much like his older brother, Vijay is a natural scorer that can get points from the perimeter or by utilizing shot/ball fakes to attack off the dribble.
Even if it only comes late in games that have turned into blowouts, Vijay Blackmon is a Hoosier that we look forward to seeing get an opportunity.
Vijay is a recreational therapy major that will earn his undergraduate degree at the end of this season.
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