'One of the best transfers': NBA Draft grades for new Pacers G Tristen Newton at No. 49
Evan FrankWith their second pick in the second round, the Indiana Pacers selected Tristen Newton with the No. 49 pick.
Newton may be a known name to Purdue basketball fans. The guard was selected as the 2024 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after the Huskies beat the Boilermakers in the national championship.
Newton helped UConn win back-to-back titles. This is what the national media thought of the pick.
NBA Draft grades for Indiana Pacers, Tristen Newton
The Ringer: B+
This might shock you, but the 2024 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player can hoop. His soft touch affects several areas of his game: his remarkable ability to finish through contact at the rim, and his gorgeous teardrop lob passes. Deep in the machinery of UConn’s two-year championship reign were little flashes of delight—and so many of them came from Newton. He may not have too many standout traits otherwise, but he fights for rebounds and has asserted himself as a leader. It’s not a bad call at this stage to trust in the pedigree and his ability to rise to the moment. With only one year left on T.J. McConnell’s contract in Indiana, Newton fits the mold as a successor.
SB Nation: B+
Newton will go down as one of the best transfers ever after leaving East Carolina for UConn and helping the Huskies win back-to-back national titles. He’s a 6’5 guard who reads the game at a high level and has some fascinating passing flashes. He’s also a pretty good shooter. After being named Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Newton gets his NBA shot.
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Yahoo: B+
Newton was the floor general for the back-to-back champions and was very composed all season in high-pressure situations. He’s a three-level scorer and great passer who averaged 15.1 points and 6.2 assists per game.
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report: C+
Tristen Newton comes to Indiana with the kind of versatility and willingness to play a role that should help him find a fit. That could be key, since it's unclear exactly what the Pacers, who aren't lacking good guard play, will want from Newton and when.
The Huskies can trace a good chunk of their consecutive championship runs to Newton's glue-guy game. He aces all of the intangibles and exemplifies what you want in an on-court leader.
He might also find it challenging to score in the NBA. He needs to clean up his three-point mechanics, and his lack of vertical pop could plague his point-blank finishing.
The Pacers target an upperclassmen prospect in Newton, who was the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player during UConn's title run. He is a versatile defender and playmaking forward who is willing to do the little things that contribute to winning.
CBS Sports: B
Newton began his career at East Carolina before becoming a staple on each of UConn's most recent title winners. He led the Huskies and their 37-win team last year in scoring and assists and has the passing vision and size to, in time, develop into a backup point guard.