Drexel transfer guard Jason Drake became the seventh transfer portal commitment for IU basketball when he announced for the Hoosiers on Tuesday afternoon.
As a junior for the Dragons, Drake started all 33 games and averaged 11.1 points, 3.1 assists and three rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game.
Inside the Hall spoke with Drake, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, about his decision to commit to Indiana, his journey through college basketball and more.
Our full Q & A with Drake is available below:
On why he chose Indiana:
“Coach (Darian) DeVries made me feel comfortable. He made sure there was a plan for me and showed me that I can do the same thing on this level. I believe he can give me the confidence to do the same thing I did at Drexel. When I first walked into Assembly Hall, it was just ‘wow.’ I was amazed. And the coaching staff is pretty great as well and family oriented.”
On his journey from Cleveland State to junior college to Drexel:
“It was pretty hard for me at the beginning at Cleveland State. They didn’t really give me the opportunity. I showed it in practice and all, but I didn’t really get the opportunity and it just wasn’t a good fit. That was a hard year for me.
“Going JUCO, that was one of the best decisions I could have made. It helped me prepare for college better and it was probably the most fun I had in college, too.
“Drexel helped me get the confidence I once had in high school. It gave me that confidence. It was a hard choice to leave Drexel because I was getting the love that I always wanted from the coaching staff. But I just wanted to be on the highest stage. That was always a dream of mine, playing in the Big Ten. Growing up being a Michigan fan and now being able to play against them is kind of crazy to me. Playing Michigan State, Tom Izzo, stuff like that, it’s kind of crazy to me.”
On what to expect from his game:
“Really just energy and a player willing to do whatever to win. I’m a competitor. Everybody is going to see that. You can ask anybody that’s been around me and they’re going to say that I’m a competitor. I’m going to go against anybody and I’m fearless.”
On the plan the IU staff has for him:
“Just being able to create for others and still do what I’m capable of doing with the shooting. And being able to play fast, that’s kind of what he wants to implement with the offense is to play faster and get out and go. And I feel like that’s when I’m at my best and I feel like they’ve seen that just from watching me at Drexel. When I play fast, that’s when I’m playing my best basketball and that’s kind of what they want to do.”
On the roster IU is assembling for next season:
“The coaching staff is getting the pieces. They’re not getting all of the high level guys, they’re getting the guys that are trying to win and are about the right thing and everybody is pretty selfless. I feel like that’s the way you build a winning team and a winning culture. I feel like that’s what coach is trying to get with his first team at Indiana.”
Category: Recruiting
Filed to: Jason Drake
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