Basketball
Pros and cons of Indiana Pacers selecting UConn basketball’s Tristen Newton in NBA Draft
Is this a weak NBA Draft class? Not according to the players who are in it
We caught up with NBA prospects ahead of the 2024 draft and gave them a chance to defend themselves after some have called this a weak class.
Another UConn Husky is going to the NBA.
Tristen Newton was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 49th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. Two of his teammates – Stephon Castle (fourth to San Antonio Spurs) and Donovan Clingan (seventh to Portland Trail Blazers) – were also selected in this year’s draft.
The 6-3, 192-pound guard excelled at East Carolina University during his first three years in college before transferring to UConn, where he helped the Huskies win back-to-back national titles. Newton played in 79 games for the Huskies over the last two seasons, starting in all but one of them.
After averaging 10.1 points on 37.4% shooting from the floor during his first season at UConn, the 23-year-old was Huskies’ leading scorer (15.1 points per game) last season. He also averaged 6.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game while shooting 41.5% (field goals), 32.1% (3-pointers) and 80.8% (free throws).
More: Pros and cons of Spurs selecting UConn basketball’s Stephon Castle in 2024 NBA Draft
More: Pros, cons of Trail Blazers taking Donovan Clingan of UConn basketball in 2024 NBA Draft
Positives of drafting Tristan Newton
Newton comes to the NBA with a winning pedigree. He was arguably the MVP of UConn’s dominant run to a second consecutive national championship last season on a team with several other NBA talents. He’s a proven winner and a jack of all trades.
Negatives of Tristan Newton
But he’s a master of none. He’s an average shooter, not a great one. He’s a decent playmaker, not an elite one. He’ll turn 24 during his rookie season, so how much room is there for him to grow? Coming out of college as a five-year starter, there’s no secrets about his game.
NBA outlook for Tristan Newton
It’s always an uphill battle for a late second-round pick to stick around on an NBA roster, but not many second-round picks are the best player on a national-championship team. Newton is a winning player and leader who can bring a lot to the floor. He certainly won’t be a lock to stick around in the NBA, but his pedigree should earn him at least a chance to stick around.
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