James Blackmon Jr. gives Indiana verbal commitment

by Zachary Osterman in Recruiting | September 3rd, 2010

UPDATE: 12:17 p.m. Friday

Just got off the phone with James Blackmon Sr. who said Tom Crean and Indiana’s coaching staff made his son feel “welcomed” throughout their recruitment, making last night’s decision easy.

“He made us feel welcomed, answered a lot of questions,” Blackmon Sr. said. “(Blackmon Jr.) had a lot of questions.”

Indiana’s recruitment of Blackmon Jr. really took shape over the summer, when his father said the Hoosiers got plenty of chances to see James play. The player also visited Indiana’s Elite Camp over the summer.

By the time he came down to visit last night, Blackmon Sr. said the last step in the process was easy to take.

“It just felt like this was a good opportunity,” he said. “I think Coach Crean is headed in the right direction.”

Blackmon Sr., who was a McDonald’s All-American at Marion High School and a standout guard at Kentucky, is his son’s coach at Bishop Luers in Fort Wayne. The elder Blackmon won state titles at the school in 2008 and 2009 with DeShaun Thomas, now a freshman at Ohio State. So his son’s pedigree is inherited from his father in more ways than one.

November 2013 is the earliest Blackmon Jr. can sign a letter of intent, but he’s already drawn rave reviews. ESPN has him ranked among the top 10 players in the ’14 class, and their top shooting guard. He is the only committed player in ESPN’s 2014 top 40, and it should also be noted he’s the only in-state player on that list.

Like many other recruits that have come through Bloomington since April, the Blackmons were particularly impressed by Cook Hall. More than that, Blackmon Sr. said, he was impressed by the convenience of having Cook Hall and Assembly Hall so close to the northwest dormitories.

“It was just so convenient,” Blackmon Sr. said. “It was exciting to be able to walk through (Cook Hall).”

—

It was a night for recruits, and a good night for recruiting Thursday when the Indiana football team took on Towson. Yogi Ferrell tweeted all about his trip to Bloomington, and there were reports circulating that Cody Zeller and his family were also in attendance.

But perhaps the biggest win of the night came when James Blackmon, Jr., a freshman guard at Bishop Luers in Fort Wayne, committed to play for Indiana. Blackmon, the No. 1-rated shooting guard in the 2014 class, according to ESPN, is the son of former Kentucky standout James Blackmon, Sr., who confirmed the news late Thursday.

The commitment represents another strong statement about Indiana coach Tom Crean’s success in building relationships with in-state recruits. Crean already has commitments from 2011 and 2012 in-state prospects Austin Etherington and Ron Patterson, respectively, and this pledge furthers the notion that Indiana recruiting is recovering nicely.

We’ll try to have more for you on this tomorrow. In the meantime, feel free to bask in the glow of an undefeated football team and another coveted commitment. Happy Friday folks.

Update: BaseballBuc posted a link to the following video in the comments. Enjoy.

Tags: Cody Zeller, James Blackmon Jr., Tom Crean, Yogi Ferrell

http://www.insidethehall.com/ Alex Bozich

Haven’t seen him play yet, but still believe this is a positive based on what I’ve heard/people I’ve talked to.
Anonymous

I’m predicting the typical toothless, redneck response within the next 3 years to be “but y’all only beat us ’cause the NCAA was out to get Coach Cal and we’re on probation.” I just hope the probation portion of it actually comes to fruition.
Anonymous

Was it Trevon Blueitt? He’s bigger than Blackmon and more of a front-court guy, I think—I didn’t like how low he released his shot, but that can be fixed.
http://www.insidethehall.com/ Alex Bozich

Never saw a list of schools.
GFDave

Thanks. Decided to change things up.
Anonymous

Can’t wait for the season to start. Nice to see us finally getting top recruits to commit. 2014 seems like a long way off, hope he does stick to his decision. Welcome James Blackmon Jr. Wear the candy stripes with pride.

GO IU!!!!!!!!!!!
marsh21

This kid is smooth for someone who hasn’t played high school ball yet. He has major confidence already in his moves and shot. If he doesn’t burn out he will be a big time player in 4 years. Great background and a father who will keep him in line, wow this is great get for Crean.

I’m feeling Yogi will pull the trigger this fall as well especially if the big C says YES!
IU_Fan_99

They are always reminding me that Crean used to work for Izzo… it’s annoying.
BaseballBuc

I would venture to guess that we are in great standing with Bryson Scott and Zak Irvin as well. The only player I could see PU getting is Hartman, but time will tell.
Anonymous

+ 1.5. BJ Young commits same day as Cody in November, too?
Anonymous

+ 1.5. BJ Young commits same day as Cody in November, too?
Bryan

At least UK and MSU have accomplished something. For years I lived in the Saint Louis area, which has a large number of Illinois fans. You get all of the entitlement of a UK or MSU fan without any of the actual accomplishment of national titles. Their belief that the Illini are the Big Ten’s flagship basketball program is especially fun to listen to over and over whenever they have a decent season. Being around them has actually made it easier to tolerate UK fans now that I live near Louisville.
Bryan

At least UK and MSU have accomplished something. For years I lived in the Saint Louis area, which has a large number of Illinois fans. You get all of the entitlement of a UK or MSU fan without any of the actual accomplishment of national titles. Their belief that the Illini are the Big Ten’s flagship basketball program is especially fun to listen to over and over whenever they have a decent season. Being around them has actually made it easier to tolerate UK fans now that I live near Louisville.
IU_Fan_99

I will be headed down to Urbana this year in October for their homecoming vs. our Hoosiers… I’m expecting a victory! Should be a good time…
IU_Fan_99

I will be headed down to Urbana this year in October for their homecoming vs. our Hoosiers… I’m expecting a victory! Should be a good time…
HOOSIERNORTH

We are setting up a checkpoint on Interstate 69. We are on the hunt for oil slick!
HOOSIERNORTH

We are setting up a checkpoint on Interstate 69. We are on the hunt for oil slick!
N71

Hartman for 2013 is key and in time he should see that IU and not PU is the place for him. Don’t get me wrong, PU is a fine program built on the backs of Indiana kids but IU is where you go to win championships.

NCAA team championships
Men’s Soccer (7): 1982 • 1983 • 1988 • 1998 • 1999 • 2003 • 2004
Men’s Swimming & Diving (6): 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973
Men’s Basketball (5): 1940 • 1953 • 1976 • 1981 • 1987
Men’s Cross Country (3): 1938 • 1940 • 1942
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field (1): 1932
Wrestling (1): 1932

Purdue doesn’t even hold a candle to the Hoosiers and then when you consider the how many really attractive women attend IU versus Purdue…wow…you’d be crazy to choose PU over IU.

Mr. Hartman – come to IU and help raise banner #6 for IU. We need you, you’re one hell of a player.
N71

Hartman for 2013 is key and in time he should see that IU and not PU is the place for him. Don’t get me wrong, PU is a fine program built on the backs of Indiana kids but IU is where you go to win championships.

NCAA team championships
Men’s Soccer (7): 1982 • 1983 • 1988 • 1998 • 1999 • 2003 • 2004
Men’s Swimming & Diving (6): 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973
Men’s Basketball (5): 1940 • 1953 • 1976 • 1981 • 1987
Men’s Cross Country (3): 1938 • 1940 • 1942
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field (1): 1932
Wrestling (1): 1932

Purdue doesn’t even hold a candle to the Hoosiers and then when you consider the how many really attractive women attend IU versus Purdue…wow…you’d be crazy to choose PU over IU.

Mr. Hartman – come to IU and help raise banner #6 for IU. We need you, you’re one hell of a player.
Diesel

Buc – good call on Scott and Irvin. I think we were the first to offer Irvin, but Purdue got to Scott first. It just seems like the 2013 kids are always playing at PU like the 2012 kids come play at IU. PU is betting “the farm” on the 2013 class. It will be interesting to see what a couple winning seasons does for our recruitment of them.
Diesel

Buc – good call on Scott and Irvin. I think we were the first to offer Irvin, but Purdue got to Scott first. It just seems like the 2013 kids are always playing at PU like the 2012 kids come play at IU. PU is betting “the farm” on the 2013 class. It will be interesting to see what a couple winning seasons does for our recruitment of them.
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

I think he means as a General Manager of an NBA team. I think…
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

I think he means as a General Manager of an NBA team. I think…
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

Which state gets to be Kamchatka? That’s the best name for a country that doesn’t actually exist (with Irkutsk in second place).
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

Which state gets to be Kamchatka? That’s the best name for a country that doesn’t actually exist (with Irkutsk in second place).
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m guessing that Blackmon Sr. doesn’t like the way Coach Greaseball is running things down in Lexington. I’m sure he’s glad that UK is winning and not getting Gardner-Webbed, but I bet he doesn’t like the constant coat of slime covering his alma mater.
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m guessing that Blackmon Sr. doesn’t like the way Coach Greaseball is running things down in Lexington. I’m sure he’s glad that UK is winning and not getting Gardner-Webbed, but I bet he doesn’t like the constant coat of slime covering his alma mater.
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

I like the BJY vs. JDavis comparison, but like Karl Tucker, I think his pedigree will keep him high on the list. Something tells me we won’t be seeing Blackmon Jr. transferring to a prep school after falling out of the top 100. Coach’s kids can’t take days off. Plus, part of the reason JDavis was ranked highly early on was because he was thicker than his opponents and could bulldoze his way through them, while Blackmon Jr. is wiry and not taller than his opponents (at least not by much being 6’2″), so his ranking is based on shooting … which shouldn’t tail off as he and his opponents get older, unlike JDavis strength advantage.

That being said, I don’t think anybody can put much stock in anything ESPN (seriously, they are the worst); their rankings are pretty much a joke. With their bloated payroll, I’ve actually been surprised that they haven’t hired some of Rivals/Scout’s best guys.
stonaroni

Two things I am predicting….

1) James Blackmon Jr will drop in the rankings because he has verballed so early to IU (but since it seems to be a popularity contest when it comes to these rankings, he might hold tight near the top)

2) We need not worry about Blackmon Jr jumping ship to UK. By the time he is eligible to hit a campus in 2014, Calipari will have done something completely illegal in Lexington and the NCAA will have them on probation.

I know many of us dislike Calipari and UK, but I do not mind him being there. He can continue to look greasy, sleazy, and toe the ethical line because the type of player that attracts is not one we want at IU. Players that go there want the NBA at all costs. Players at IU want to improve, get an education and have a shot at the NBA. That is a big difference and now that we are getting the talent in here, we should be able to beat talent loaded UK teams based upon our talent, and intelligence of our players.

Not the CTC has shown brilliance at the end of a game yet, or in one possesion sets with the game on the line, but I will take CTC any day over Calipari. That guy is an absolute Laremont at designing plays in the crunch. He actually coaches himself out of national chamionships.
Daburns0

You’re never really gone. I graduated in 2000 and 2004, and I will always be there in spirit. Plus, I still go to the games, and the big ten network has made watching all the games very easy. Even in St. John’s last year, I didn’t miss a beat.
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

Just keep getting degrees. Just stay in school forever. I’m in year #10 of full-time undergrad/grad school. However, as this clip illustrates, it may not be the best life choice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XViCOAu6UC0
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

I think we’re only appearing fickle because he’s so young, and we are just protecting our hearts from getting broken if he ever decommits. So, agreed, it’s great news, but it’s only 103% great news.
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

Shouldn’t you have your face painted like this when you’re making that speech? Or, at least, maybe Crean should.
Daburns0

The Zeller deal looks pretty good right now. He and his family were at a Thurdays night football game? I can’t imagine you go all the way to btown on Thurs night if you just kind of like the school. That may be one of the most interesting things that has happened in this recruiting process. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gives his verbal at a Halloween party in the Villas.
Diesel

Should be a Ray McCallum Jr type player – solid!
Diesel

Love the recent Crean tweet run….props given out to Hulls, Creek, and VO who were still on the court an hour and a half past weights and speed workout, Crean calls that a snapshot of our future.

Comment 300 in the books for me!
Diesel

All the way to Btown is only about 30 min for the Zellers, so it’s nothing new for them to be on campus. Obviously this can’t hurt, but I wouldn’t take it as a sign. However, I do like DannyD’s insight into the situation because he is friends with the parents.
http://twitter.com/IUgrad07 Deon Mitchell

This kid really wants to solidify he is the next great GUARD out of Indiana for Indiana. The early commit is to get other top players to really look at Indiana.
Anonymous

I was thinking a little more along the terms of with what we have now and what we have already committed for next two years is kinda like having North America with the Alaskan and Mexican openings well fortified and getting the commit from JBJ is kinda like taking Iceland and moving several armies onto it sealing off that opening which allows us to start gobbling up Asia one or two territories (recruits) at a time while on our way to world (NCAA) domination !!! I don’t think I’ve ever lost a game when it has played out that way.

Are Sallad, you and I delirious from even more good recruiting news, in that bad of a need for the season to get started or have all three of us really played that much Risk or is it all of the above ? If there isn’t already one then someone needs to make a college bball version of Risk instead of continents it could be conferences with the different territories being the teams within those conferences. I guess the SEC, having pUKe in it, would have to be Asia cause that is where the communists are. LOL
Anonymous

Good one professor. It would only be right since recruiting seems to be pretty much a war.
Anonymous

Good one professor. It would only be right since recruiting seems to be pretty much a war.
Anonymous

If there is an odd smell in the air all of a sudden, lock and load, cause you may very well smell him before you actually see him.
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

All of the above. And once we get Cody (AKA Greenland), then I think we’ll have North America taken care of. Thankfully Ontario (AKA Austin Etherington) has been recruiting Greenland, and also Eastern Canada (AKA Yogi). Getting Greenland will be the key to taking Europe (NCAA tourney), Africa (Big Ten Championship) and Asia (6th banner).

I’ll be honest … being a nerd can totally be fun if you’re around other nerds. RISK!!!
Anonymous

Ha Ha Ha Ha You know you’ve made it when you start seeing parallels between a Simpson’s episode and your own life. LOL
Anonymous

I normally check his tweet page fairly often but had not checked it for awhile for some reason. You are right about his most recent tweet run, some really good ones and I feel like it also gives us a snapshot of him as an individual too.
Anonymous

LOL

Hey Hey Hey you don’t have to be a nerd or be around other nerds to enjoy a good game of risk.
Don’t consider myself or any of my friends nerds but if playing that game makes you one then I guess we are all nerds and drunk ones at that since it so easy to incorporate drinking rules into the regular rules. Lose a territory, take a shot. Lose a continent chug straight from the bottle. Makes for some interesting strategy decisions later in the game.
Anonymous

Oh, I’ve got two degrees here under my belt already. I’ll have been in Bloomington 9 years by the time I’m gone. I think at that point I’ll have to cut it off, before young Mr. Blackmon arrives.
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

Ever played Settlers of Catan? I prefer RISK, but Settlers might not take as long and you don’t have to wage war on you friends as much.

And yes, we’re at least on the outskirts of nerd-dom here. But at least neither of us are living in our parents’ basement, spending our Friday nights in a Dungeons & Dragons sort of way.
Diesel

Settlers? D&D? What time should I come over? Ma, the meatloaf!
http://weeklycritiquely.blogspot.com/ IUfanPurduePhD

MEATLOAF! And then we’ll spend tonight funeral-crashing for chicks.

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