Evan Gordon brings a bit of scoring, experience to a young Indiana team in need of both
In dire need of perimeter scoring, veteran leadership and another ball handler, Indiana added a player who can help in all those areas.
Arizona State transfer Evan Gordon announced Wednesday morning that he has chosen the Hoosiers over Butler. The younger brother of former Indiana star Eric Gordon has graduated from Arizona State and will be eligible to play his lone season with the Hoosiers immediately.
Gordon became a priority for Indiana coach Tom Crean as a result of the departure of backcourt standouts Victor Oladipo and Jordan Hulls as well as reserves Remy Abell and Maurice Creek. Yogi Ferrell returns at point guard and Will Sheehey will move into the starting lineup at small forward, but the addition of Gordon enables Crean to go with a veteran at shooting guard instead of throwing an incoming freshman into the lineup before he's ready.
Expectations for Gordon's lone season at Indiana need to be realistic, however, because he's not going to conjure memories of Oladipo. The 6-foot-1 combo guard averaged 10.1 points per game playing alongside Jahii Carson at Arizona State last season, but he shot 39.1 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from behind the arc.
What Gordon can do is play solid defense, aid Ferrell and Sheehey in providing leadership for a young team and assume ball handling responsibilities whenever Ferrell needs a rest. That's probably not going to elevate this Indiana team into Big Ten title contention alongside Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State, but it will help the Hoosiers contend for an upper half of the league finish and an NCAA bid.
In addition to whatever Gordon provides Indiana on the court this season, he could also help Crean on the recruiting trail.
Gordon's younger brother, Eron Gordon, is one of the most coveted players in the Class of 2016. If the elder Gordon has a good experience in Bloomington, that can only strengthen the Hoosiers' ties with the younger sibling.
