NCAA Grants Indiana Point Guard Xavier Johnson Sixth Year of Eligibility

After missing most of the 2022-23 season with a broken foot, Indiana senior point guard Xavier Johnson was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA on Wednesday.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The NCAA approved Xavier Johnson's medical hardship waiver on Wednesday, granting him sixth year of eligibility. 

Johnson broke his foot on Dec. 17 at Kansas, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season. 

“We are very happy for Xavier and his family and can’t wait to have him be a key member of our program, next season,” Indiana coach Mike Woodson said. “I know this year was challenging for him, but he brought a positive attitude every day and I believe he will bring a great deal to our team next season because of the adversity he has faced.”

I'm back. ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/xheuWGR7mG

— Xavier Johnson “X” (@XavierJ0hnson) April 26, 2023

The 6-foot-3 point guard was off to a strong senior year, scoring 23 points with seven rebounds in Indiana's win at Xavier. When his season was cut short, Johnson was averaging 9.9 points and 4.9 assists per game on 37.0 percent 3-point shooting.

Johnson pushed to return to action in March, often going through drills in pregame warmups, but he was unable to fully recover and play by season's end. It was clear in many games last season that Indiana missed the stingy on-ball defense, speed, ball-handling ability and 3-point shooting Johnson so often displayed in 2021-22 when he was an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

In his first season at Indiana after transferring in from Pittsburgh, Johnson played a major role in Indiana's success. He started 34 games and averaged 12.1 points, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals on 38.3 percent 3-point shooting. Johnson played particularly well at the end of the season, averaging 16.7 points and 6.9 assists on 15-for-30 3-point shooting in the last nine games.

With Johnson's return, Indiana has filled 10 of 13 scholarships for the 2023-24 season, featuring a roster with Johnson, Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal, CJ Gunn, Kaleb Banks, Malik Reneau, Kel'el Ware, Payton Sparks, Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton. 

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