An in-depth look at IU basketball transfer portal target Jaeden Mustaf – The Daily Hoosier
Georgia Tech transfer Jaeden Mustaf not too long ago accomplished a go to to Indiana, and the Hoosiers are anticipated to be sturdy contenders for the 6-foot-6 and 210-pound wing.
We beforehand coated Mustaf as a reputation to know this transfer portal cycle. Now let’s take a more in-depth look at his recreation.
Mustaf isn’t a heavy utilization participant. His 19.8 utilization fee was seventh on Georgia Tech this previous season. And at 19.4, he isn’t taking an outsized proportion of the staff’s photographs when on the ground both.
He’s finest considered a 3rd choice, somebody who can get to the paint late shot clock, exploit mismatches, rating in transition, and take open photographs when the protection is in rotation. Big scoring video games usually are not out of the query, nevertheless. He scored 28 at Clemson this 12 months, and he is had 9 video games of 15 or extra factors, with six of these coming in opposition to excessive main opponents.
Based on field rating plus-minus (BPM), Mustaf measured barely higher on offense than protection. He had the fifth-highest general BPM (.2) on an 11-20 Georgia Tech staff that completed 2-16 within the ACC. He had the fourth-best offensive BPM (0.0) and eight-best on protection (.2). The Yellow Jackets ranked simply No. 213 nationally in offensive effectivity and No. 131 on protection, so this wasn’t a straightforward staff to put up spectacular numbers for on both finish of the ground.
In 2024-25, Mustaf was -1.4 general for BPM, -2.8 on offense and 1.4 on protection as a freshman. So on the entire, I’ve made progress.
When it involves factors over a median alternative participant at the identical utilization (PRPG), Mustaf was third on Georgia Tech at 1.7, an enchancment over .8 as a freshman.
While these metrics recommend warning on the subject of anticipating Mustaf to be a standout, it needs to be famous his BPM and PRPG each climbed in opposition to convention, top-100 and top-50 opponents this season. His utilization went up in these video games, and his taking pictures percentages have been typically all higher in these video games as nicely. That’s all at least partially as a result of Mustaf is an efficient athlete with a high-major physique. He’s not one who pads his stats in opposition to decrease degree groups, and he is constructed to succeed in opposition to physicality, size and athleticism.
Mustaf has by no means been a high-volume 3-point shooter and he in all probability will not grow to be that at his subsequent cease. He did enhance year-over-year in each try fee and make proportion. He was 11-32 (34.4%) as a freshman, and 21-54 (38.9%) as a sophomore. He did make 16-38 (42.1%) from three in ACC video games, which was tenth-best within the league.
95.2% of his makes from three have been assisted. Mustaf is respectable in open catch-and-shoot conditions, however he is not prone to grow to be a high-volume sniper who creates his personal long-range makes an attempt off the bounce and hunts contested photographs from past the arc. Think situational Trey Galloway in 2022-23, when he made 46.2%.
Mustaf’s taking pictures percentages from two, three and the free throw line all improved from his freshman to sophomore 12 months, as did his offensive and defensive rebounding charges, help fee and turnover fee.
A bodily, aggressive driver who seeks contact, Mustaf will get to the charity stripe typically. He had 110 makes an attempt in 2025-26. In ACC video games, he ranked No. 23 within the league drawing 4.4 fouls per recreation. And his 49% convention free throw fee (FTA/FGA) was No. 10 within the league.
Mustaf additionally rebounded at the next fee in opposition to top-50 competitors, and his blocks and steals went up as nicely — extra indicators he is constructed for the pains of the Big Ten. The one space of concern because the competitors degree will increase — his turnover fee additionally went up in these video games.
Overall, Mustaf can clearly be a key contributor on a excessive main staff. His exact position and enjoying time might be decided by who he is surrounded by at the subsequent cease and the system he performs in. But there’s lots to work with right here. Mustaf may be an necessary a part of a superb staff.
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