Indiana University Athletics
Ferrell Has More To Achieve As Senior Year Begins
9/28/2015 6:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It did not take incoming transfer Josh Newkirk long to see for himself the best attributes of preseason All-American Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell. "He sees the court so well and his passing ability is as good as anyone," said Newkirk. ""I'm constantly watching his game, learning the little things that he does to get past his man, see the next play and so I'm just learning every day."
Ferrell, who has started all 102 games since he arrived on campus in the fall of 2012, has seen his role evolve from true freshman guard on a team ranked No.1 in the country, to his senior year well he will help mold a collection of talent that many view as a Top15 team and a legitimate contender to win its second Big Ten title in four years.
"I think everything has come full circle for me," said Ferrell. "I'm honored to be someone who hopefully can pass the baton on what it means to play basketball at Indiana. I was very lucky to play with guys as a freshman who had experienced hardships and who never took anything for granted out on the floor."
Ferrell came to IU as a McDonald's All-American who had led Indianapolis Park Tudor to multiple state championships and as a freshman provided an experienced team with exactly what it needed. He only averaged 7.6 points and shot 40.3% from the floor but had a knack for coming through in big situations.
Against Georgetown at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, he hit an overtime fadeaway three-pointer that helped IU pull away in the championship of the Progressive Legends Classic. He also hit a three-pointer in the final seconds to send the Hoosiers game in the Crossroads Classic against Butler into overtime.
When Indiana rallied from five points down in the final 52 seconds at Michigan in the regular season finale people may not remember how important his play was down the stretch on both sides of the floor.
Three times under pressure he got the ball inside to Cody Zeller who would convert two baskets and make two free throws to propel the comeback. While on the defensive end, it appeared that on the potential game winning tip-in by Jordan Morgan, Ferrell grazed the ball as it left the Wolverine's hand possibly altering just enough to keep it out of the basket.
"Winning a championship like that is something you prepare for your whole life," said Ferrell. "I was blessed to be with my teammates on the floor at that time and with wins that year at Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan that Big Ten championship will be something I always will treasure."
With four starters off to play professionally, Ferrell's sophomore year saw him break through in earning All-Big Ten and All-District honors. He averaged 17.3 points, up nearly 10 points per game from his freshman year. He finished fourth in the league in scoring, sixth in assists and led the league in three-point field goals made per game. His 88 three-point field goals were the second most made in the history of the program and he became the first player since Isiah Thomas to amass 120 or more assists in each of his first two years in the program.
As a junior, Ferrell utilized a wealth of young talent to lead the Hoosiers back to the NCAA Tournament. He still earned first-team All Big Ten and All-District accolades and led the team in scoring (16.2), assists (4.9) and event ranked fourth on the team in rebounds (3.2).
When the season ended, Ferrell, with the support of Coach Tom Crean, chose to explore the option of moving on to play professionally.
Crean's words on the day he was signed best define what type of player Ferrell is.
"With Yogi, part of his tools are his charisma, his fearlessness, he's absolutely relentless when it comes to winning and he puts that first," said Crean in November of 2011. I've seen him go against kids three years younger and people three years older and it never made a difference."
After thoroughly considering his options last spring, Ferrell made the decision to come back for his senior year and the early result is being named a second team Preseason All-American by the Sporting News and a team which has been a consensus top 15 pick in most of the preseason ratings.
"We will always support Yogi in his career and life paths, and returning to Indiana affords him an opportunity to leave an indelible mark in the proud history of the Hoosier program," said Crean. "More importantly, he will earn an IU degree to carry with him the rest of his life. His continued growth and development on the court will provide him longevity at the next level and a bright future."
Ferrell will leave with his degree in management and likely will place his name high on the list in several major statistical categories at IU.
He enters the season having made a three-pointer in a national best 65-straight games. Utilizing a projection of numbers he could put up this season, Ferrell has the chance to become the IU all-time leader in assists, three-point field goals made, games played and games started.
Yet the focus that he brings to the start of the first practice this week, is one solely on getting the most out of everyone on his team and making his senior year one to remember.
"Anyone who actually knows me knows that I am a fierce competitor," the senior added. "I truly want to leave a legacy of accomplishments at IU, like the great IU legends of the past. I plan to lead this team as I was led as a freshman to our goal of achieving great things."
Ferrell, who has started all 102 games since he arrived on campus in the fall of 2012, has seen his role evolve from true freshman guard on a team ranked No.1 in the country, to his senior year well he will help mold a collection of talent that many view as a Top15 team and a legitimate contender to win its second Big Ten title in four years.
"I think everything has come full circle for me," said Ferrell. "I'm honored to be someone who hopefully can pass the baton on what it means to play basketball at Indiana. I was very lucky to play with guys as a freshman who had experienced hardships and who never took anything for granted out on the floor."
Ferrell came to IU as a McDonald's All-American who had led Indianapolis Park Tudor to multiple state championships and as a freshman provided an experienced team with exactly what it needed. He only averaged 7.6 points and shot 40.3% from the floor but had a knack for coming through in big situations.
Against Georgetown at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, he hit an overtime fadeaway three-pointer that helped IU pull away in the championship of the Progressive Legends Classic. He also hit a three-pointer in the final seconds to send the Hoosiers game in the Crossroads Classic against Butler into overtime.
When Indiana rallied from five points down in the final 52 seconds at Michigan in the regular season finale people may not remember how important his play was down the stretch on both sides of the floor.
Three times under pressure he got the ball inside to Cody Zeller who would convert two baskets and make two free throws to propel the comeback. While on the defensive end, it appeared that on the potential game winning tip-in by Jordan Morgan, Ferrell grazed the ball as it left the Wolverine's hand possibly altering just enough to keep it out of the basket.
"Winning a championship like that is something you prepare for your whole life," said Ferrell. "I was blessed to be with my teammates on the floor at that time and with wins that year at Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan that Big Ten championship will be something I always will treasure."
With four starters off to play professionally, Ferrell's sophomore year saw him break through in earning All-Big Ten and All-District honors. He averaged 17.3 points, up nearly 10 points per game from his freshman year. He finished fourth in the league in scoring, sixth in assists and led the league in three-point field goals made per game. His 88 three-point field goals were the second most made in the history of the program and he became the first player since Isiah Thomas to amass 120 or more assists in each of his first two years in the program.
As a junior, Ferrell utilized a wealth of young talent to lead the Hoosiers back to the NCAA Tournament. He still earned first-team All Big Ten and All-District accolades and led the team in scoring (16.2), assists (4.9) and event ranked fourth on the team in rebounds (3.2).
When the season ended, Ferrell, with the support of Coach Tom Crean, chose to explore the option of moving on to play professionally.
Crean's words on the day he was signed best define what type of player Ferrell is.
"With Yogi, part of his tools are his charisma, his fearlessness, he's absolutely relentless when it comes to winning and he puts that first," said Crean in November of 2011. I've seen him go against kids three years younger and people three years older and it never made a difference."
After thoroughly considering his options last spring, Ferrell made the decision to come back for his senior year and the early result is being named a second team Preseason All-American by the Sporting News and a team which has been a consensus top 15 pick in most of the preseason ratings.
"We will always support Yogi in his career and life paths, and returning to Indiana affords him an opportunity to leave an indelible mark in the proud history of the Hoosier program," said Crean. "More importantly, he will earn an IU degree to carry with him the rest of his life. His continued growth and development on the court will provide him longevity at the next level and a bright future."
Ferrell will leave with his degree in management and likely will place his name high on the list in several major statistical categories at IU.
He enters the season having made a three-pointer in a national best 65-straight games. Utilizing a projection of numbers he could put up this season, Ferrell has the chance to become the IU all-time leader in assists, three-point field goals made, games played and games started.
Yet the focus that he brings to the start of the first practice this week, is one solely on getting the most out of everyone on his team and making his senior year one to remember.
"Anyone who actually knows me knows that I am a fierce competitor," the senior added. "I truly want to leave a legacy of accomplishments at IU, like the great IU legends of the past. I plan to lead this team as I was led as a freshman to our goal of achieving great things."
Players Mentioned
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