Hoosiers' Trayce Jackson-Davis Will Return for Junior Season

Jackson-Davis believes it is in his best interest to come back for another season at Indiana.

Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis announced Friday that he will return for his junior season.

Jackson-Davis, who announced his decision on Twitter, said Indiana basketball is something that he has been "blessed" to be part of.

The Hoosiers agreed to a deal with longtime NBA coach and former IU star Mike Woodson to lead the program on Sunday. 

"After talking with Coach Woodson and family, I believe that it is in my best interest to come back for my junior year," Jackson-Davis said. "Hoosier nation has been down for a while now and I want to be apart of the change that makes it great again. One last go around with the candy stripes."

I believe in Coach Woodson and his plan! 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/amhPdix4Pp

— TJD (@TrayceJackson) April 2, 2021

Jackson-Davis, who started all 27 games this season, led the Hoosiers in scoring with 19 points and nine rebounds per game. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection, a third-team All-American by Sporting News, an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press, a Wooden Award Finalist and a Karl Malone Award Finalist. 

He ranked fourth in the Big Ten in scoring, second in rebounding, fifth in field goal percentage (51.7) and blocked shots (1.4) and third in minutes played this season. Nationally, Jackson-Davis ranked third in free throws made (150) and first in attempts (229) and recorded 10 double-doubles this season and 22 for his career. 

Several of Jackson-Davis's Indiana teammates entered the transfer portal after Indiana fired head coach Archie Miller. 

Indiana finished the 2020-21 season with a 12-15 record and lost their last six games. The Hoosiers were 20-12 in Jackson-Davis’ freshman season but the COVID-19 pandemic kept Indiana from playing in the NCAA tournament.