Gabe Cupps: Indiana’s Promising Freshman Point Guard
Gabe Cupps, a true freshman point guard for the Indiana Hoosiers, has been thrust into the spotlight earlier than expected this season due to injuries to veteran guard Xavier Johnson. Despite facing challenges, Cupps has shown glimpses of his potential and has been a key contributor to the team’s success.
Early Career and Recruitment
Cupps, a native of Dayton, Ohio, attended Centerville High School, where he was named Ohio Mr. Basketball in 2022. He was a four-star recruit and the No. 94 ranked player in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports[4]. Cupps chose Indiana over offers from Stanford, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others[5].
Unexpected Role and Early Struggles
With Johnson’s injury issues, Cupps has started 22 of Indiana’s 33 games this season, averaging 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game[1][3]. He has shot 36.4% from the field, 35.9% from beyond the arc, and 61.5% from the free throw line[3].
Cupps’s offensive production has been limited, as he has only attempted 66 shots (2.6 per game) this season[5]. However, head coach Mike Woodson has praised Cupps’s defensive efforts, particularly in the team’s recent loss to Northwestern when he held the Wildcats’ leading scorer, Boo Buie, to a subpar performance[5].
### Woodson’s Praise and Expectations
Woodson has been impressed with Cupps’s defensive abilities, stating that he has been “solid from day one” in dealing with the talented point guards in the Big Ten[5]. The coach has also acknowledged that Cupps has been “thrown to the wolves” as a freshman, playing a more significant role than initially anticipated[5].
Despite the challenges, Woodson remains confident in Cupps’s potential, saying, “He’s been one of the hottest point guards in the league and to hold the young man to 3 for 14 shooting and some of the different times down the floor where he was able to keep him in front, which has been a task for a lot of teams, I was really impressed with that.”[5]
Looking Ahead to the Future
As Cupps continues to gain experience and develop his skills, he is expected to play a valuable role for the Hoosiers in the coming seasons. Woodson believes that Cupps will play “quality minutes” next year and that his toughness and competitiveness will help him overcome the ups and downs of the college game[1].
The coach also praised Cupps’s work ethic, stating that he is always in the gym trying to perfect his game and get better[1]. This dedication to improvement is a promising sign for Cupps’s future success.
Gabe Cupps’s early career at Indiana has been marked by unexpected challenges and opportunities. Despite the difficulties, he has shown flashes of his potential and has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates. As he continues to grow and develop, Cupps is poised to become a key contributor to the Hoosiers’ success in the years to come.