Jeremiah Rivers games remaining may be few but his changes have been great

Tonight, Jeremiah Rivers will play his last game on Branch McCracken Court in front of the Hoosier faithful. After beginning his collegiate career at Georgetown University five years ago, Rivers is closing in on his last game.

Rivers came in with head coach Tom Crean three years ago. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he could only sit on the sidelines to see the Hoosiers go 6-25. Then last year as a redshirt junior, Jeremiah tried to do too much in attempt to offset Indiana’s lack of talent. As for the mix this year, Coach Crean believes have completely benefited the team.

“He sees the game through maybe a different lens than when he saw it when he came in. I think that’s been what’s very valuable for us and valuable for him and that’s how I hope he will be remembered. Our hope that he can finish this season being that very valuable contributor.”

His first year playing with Indiana, he averaged 6 points, and 3.4 rebounds per game but the team finished just 10-21. This year, both statistics are down at just 3.6 points and 3 rebounds per game. But with his new role, it’s not about statistics.

“I’ve said this all year with him, is you can never look at the stat sheet and see his value. You’ve got to look at so many of the other qualities, the turnovers that he causes, the deflections that he gets, the responsibilities he has of guarding different people, understanding where people are supposed to be and when he can just really lock in and use the talent he has the skills he has, but the mindset he was developing, that’s when he’s been at his best and I think that was the most important thing for him and for us, to get him in a role that he could absolutely flourish in.”

This season, he should be applauded for his willingness to change and take on a new identity. His lockdown defense has stood out among the rest. He has taken it upon himself to often times guard the opposing teams best player and hustle up and down the floor. His shot has never been there which does hurt Indiana at times, Rivers tries to focus on the positives.

Jeremiah Rivers has received his share of criticism in his time at Indiana. This experience has been challenging and trying for everyone including the fans, plays and staff. But when all is said and done, Rivers is one of the players that helped this team transition. Because of the lack of leadership, he was immediately forced to take a vocal role on the team, a role that he wasn’t tremendously comfortable with. But like making changes on the court, he was also forced to make other changes for the betterment of the team. These changes have been very been noticeable, especially to Coach Crean.

“He’s had some very heavy tasks in this program and I’m really proud of the way he’s responded to them and he’s meant a lot because he’s grown with the program. He’s made changes. He’s gotten better.”

After this year, Rivers wasn’t completely sure what he would be up to but believes something will work out. He says well-connected people have told his father, Doc Rivers that they may have an opportunity for him furthering his basketball career. Jeremiah wasn’t completely sold on playing overseas and said it had to be a “right place, right now” kind of thing.

He expressed a clear interest in producing music. When he was a teenager in Orlando he grew fond and addicted to computer applications to create music. With the help of Grant Hill, Jeremiah’s interest and talent grew. He has reached out and heard from multiple record companies, believing something may come out of that as well.

Jeremiah said his mom, dad, sister, brother and other close family and friends will be in attendance this evening.

Below is a video I recorded of Rivers talking about playing at Indiana, and what the future may bring. His roommate, junior walk-on Kory Barnett also shares his unique perspective of Rivers.