Bearcat veteran forward John Newman has had quite the ride during his six-year playing career. Although for Newman, the best season of his career continues to happen right in front of our own eyes here in the 2023-2024 season.
The veteran forward has simply been the heart and soul for Wes Miller’s Bearcats this season. The 6th year forward is averaging nearly 10 points and six rebounds across nearly 700 minutes of action through the Bearcats first 24 games. Newman, not only has been arguably the best defender in the Big 12 but has also been one of the go-to guys on the offensive side of the ball, shooting just over 50% from the field on the season.
However, for Newman, growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina basketball was something he always wanted to do, but his dream job as a child was to be a dare devil. “Growing up, I actually wanted to be a dare devil.” joked Newman. “I would see those people going off those big ramps on motorcycles over cars, I was like yeah I want to do something like that when I get older.”
Although, that didn’t quite happen, it is safe to say that Newman has quickly became a dare devil on the court, while he makes opposing players life extremely difficult on a daily basis. Which is something we have heard opposing teams coaches speak on quite a bit throughout the season.
Newman, joined the Bearcats after spending his first three season at the University of Clemson, but how he ended up at here at Cincinnati is something very interesting in itself. Following his junior year at Clemson, Newman entered the transfer portal with his full intentions of returning home and playing for Miller at UNCG. However, those plans quickly changed when Wes Miller was named the next head coach of Cincinnati back in March of 2021. Despite Newman gauging plenty of interest from other schools he had his sights set on one thing, and that was playing for Wes Miller.
Matter in fact, Newman was so determined to play for Cincinnati, he became the first playing to announce his pledge to Miller in a time where the Bearcats basketball program was near rock bottom following the 2020-2021 season due to all the pandemic and the other issues stemming from head coach John Brannen’s tenure at Cincinnati. Miller, was forced to not only recruit his own guys, but basically recruit the current Cincinnati team as well. Someone who played a huge part in that aspect, was John Newman, as the veteran was determined to get Cincinnati back to the caliber of basketball it was once known for over recent years.
Sometimes many Bearcat fans question how a guy like Newman’s caliber ended up at Cincinnati in the first place, but it was safe to say the relationship he had built with Wes Miller was the ultimate factor into his decision to follow his longtime mentor to the Queen City. However, what people don’t know is their relationship goes much deeper than spending time together on the hardwood. Miller was one of the first coaches to recruit John Newman heading into high school, where Miller first got in contact with Newman’s family back in the 7th grade and a potential basketball future. Although, it was something that didn’t quite all come together until 2021, the duo has embraced the time they have had together throughout the years. “I have known John really well for the most part of his life since he was in seventh grade.” Wes Miller said. “I have a great relationship with not only John, but his family and friends as well.”
Newman’s toughness leading the Bearcats through the Big 12 gauntlet
Looking back right now in the current moment, it is safe to say that this Bearcats team would simply not be in the position they are in this season without a guy like John Newman. The 6th year veteran has been arguably the Bearcats best defender throughout the season to date. The Bearcats identity has been gritty, relentless, tough and physical basketball and it is safe to say John Newman is right at the top of the list. A prime example would be Newman’s relentless effort in the Bearcats 68-57 victory over Central Florida where he finished with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Newman has had quite a challenge this season drawing opposing teams’ number one assignments each game. Although, Newman has really embraced his role as the Bearcats number one on ball defender, he credits his defensive ability to his time playing against current players Ben Simmons, Cassius Stanley, Brandon Childress. “Going against those guys back in high school really helped me find my true identity as a basketball player,” Newman told TFON.
However, for Newman, the one player who gave him the most problems in his playing career, was not any one of those guys, it happened to be Miami’s Kameron McGusty. “For some reason, he would give me some problems, I will always have respect for him because he got me that day” Joked Newman.” He had me really questioning if I really was a good defender after that game,”
Safe to say his battle with McGusty during his sophomore year molded him into one of the best defenders in all of college basketball. Looking back across some of the matchups that Newman has had to endure over the 2023-2024 season the results speak for themselves. Newman held BYU’s leading scorer Jaxon Robinson to just 2-7 shooting earlier this season, held Baylor star and potential NBA lottery pick Ja’Kobe Walter to just 3-11 shooting his worst shooting performance of the season. Newman also locked down Kansas and potential first round NBA draft pick Kevin McCullar despite scoring 20 points, but the talented wing was held to just 5-17 shooting in the Jayhawks win over Cincinnati.
“You guys show me a better perimeter defender in all of college basketball than John Newman,” noted Wes Miller following the Bearcats 68-57 victory over Central Florida. “I’m sure they’re some other great players out there that deserve some credit and recognition. But you can’t tell me there is anyone out there better than John Newman, he’s been phenomenal. I truly think he is one of the best perimeter defenders we have across all of college basketball.”
Coming into the 2023-2024 season there was a lot of questions about what to expect from John Newman after missing all of his senior season due to a torn meniscus suffered after the first game of the season. Which was a substantial loss for the Bearcats and fans quickly started to realize the impact Newman has on the court when healthy. “Getting John back healthy has been a huge plus for this team.” said forward Ody Oguama. “He takes so much pride in his defense being a gritty tough nosed defender, I mean he is drawing the number one assignment each game.”
New Bounce John Newman
Newman joined the Bearcat Tip-Off Talk Podcast featuring Neil Meyer, JT Smith and Alex Meacham earlier to discuss the injury and his journey back to the hardwood. As many fans wondered following the 2022-2023 season about whether or not Newman would return for the Bearcats inaugural season in the Big 12 conference, the decision was something Newman didn’t want to take for granted.
