IU Basketball transfer portal spotlight: Jason Drake

IU basketball has added 10 players this spring from the transfer portal. Player by player, we’ll take a look at each addition in our “transfer portal spotlight” series.

Today: Jason Drake

Previously: Tucker DeVries, Conor Enright, Reed Bailey, Lamar Wilkerson, Jasai Miles, Tayton Conerway

Bio: 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior guard from Oak Park, Michigan

Previous schools: Cleveland State (2022-23 season), Butler Community College (2023-24 season), Drexel (2024-25 season)

Career stats: 8.0 points, 2.3 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 0.5 steals in 19.4 minutes per game. Drake is a career 41.5 percent shooter from the field, a career 38.7 percent 3-point shooter and an 85.5 percent free-throw shooter.

Career accolades: Big 5 player of the week (Feb. 10, 2025)

Recruitment background

Drake scheduled a visit to Indiana for April 21 and announced his commitment to the Hoosiers on April 22, becoming the seventh transfer portal addition this spring for Darian DeVries.

“Coach (Darian) DeVries made me feel comfortable,” Drake told Inside the Hall.”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.”

Notes on his game

Indiana will be the fourth school in four years for Drake, a class of 2022 recruit from Michigan who grew up a fan of the Wolverines.

After playing for only a limited number of minutes as a freshman at Cleveland State, Drake transferred to Butler Community College, where he developed his game, ultimately leading to another Division I opportunity at Drexel.

“Going JUCO, that was one of the best decisions I could have made,” Drake said. “It helped me prepare for college better and it was probably the most fun I had in college, too.”

At Drexel, Drake thrived, averaging 11.1 points, 3.1 assists, three rebounds, and shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range in 26.1 minutes per game.

He should be well suited to play in a revamped Indiana offense that is expected to be more up-tempo with an emphasis on perimeter shooting.

“Just being able to create for others and still do what I’m capable of doing with the shooting,” Drake said of the plan for how he’ll be used in Bloomington. “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.”

Scouting report

“Drake was versatile offensively, showcasing an ability to spot up and knock down threes while also creating his own shot in the midrange or at the rim. His shiftiness allowed him to beat defenders off the dribble, where he could find an open teammate or drive to the hoop. He thrived in the pick and roll, and although he’s slightly undersized, he seems to fit the mold of what Darian DeVries is looking for in his guards. Drake could be viewed as a valuable option off the bench who can provide immediate bursts of scoring. His perimeter shooting and ability to finish through contact could also make the adjustment to the Big Ten slightly easier.” – Inside the Hall

Jason Drake highlights

Category: Commentary

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