While all eyes were on the battle of the giants between 7’4 Zach Edey and 7’2 Donovan Clingan, it was senior UConn guard Tristen Newton who led his team to victory. In the process, the Huskies became the first back-to-back champions since the Florida Gators in 2007. Dan Hurley took over UConn’s team in 2018 and transformed it into an elite program. However, there was still something that Hurley felt missing on the roster. Newton’s addition to the Huskies roster in 2022 completed all the pieces for Hurley as Newton became their leading offensive option.

In his first season at UConn, Newton became the first player in the program’s history to record two triple-doubles in a single season. He was their best performer in last year’s National Championship Game with 19 points and 10 assists. This time around, he had 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, while going 6-of-13 from the field, helping UConn to their second consecutive national championship. Let’s learn a bit about the March Madness hero’s journey.

Tristen Newton was a star from the get-go

Newton obtained his high school education from Burges High School in El Paso, Texas. As a senior, Newton averaged 37.2 points (ranking #1 in Texas and #6 in the U.S.), along with 9.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.6 steals, leading his team to the District 1-5A Championship. He was then named El Paso Player of the Year, All-State, 2x TABC Class 5A All-Region Team. Newton concluded his high school career with 3266 points, 853 rebounds, 472 assists, and 334 steals.

Then he went to East Carolina University in 2019-20, where he played 31 games, out of which he started 19 games. As a freshman, he averaged 11 points, and 4.5 rebounds, and became the team’s leader in assists (3.7) and steals (1.7). Moreover, he shot with an overall percentage of .390 and led the team in both 3-point shots percentage at .324 and .802 from the free throw line. He also set the ECU freshman record in assists tallying 114 and scored double figures in 16 games, along with 5 20+ games and a season-high 25 points against UConn.

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His sophomore season at ECU was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he started 16 out of 17 games, averaging 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals, scoring double figures in 9 games. Also, he shot with an overall percentage of .348, .262 from beyond the arc, and .895 from the free throw line (ranking #2 in the AAC).

He further improved his game in his junior year. He started all 30 games, averaging 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5 assists. That season, Newton helped his team reach a .500 record first time in 8 years. His free throw percentage of .879 secured the first spot in the league, with an assist average of 5 taking the second spot. He was then named to the Second Team All-American Athletic Conference.

As he still had one season of eligibility left, as granted by the NCAA for Student-athletes affected by the pandemic, Newton made a transfer to UConn.

Newton’s additions propelled the UConn Huskies to back-to-back titles

There he immediately made his presence felt by starting 38 out of 39 games he played, averaging 10.1 points, and 4.5 rebounds, becoming assist leader with 4.7 assists per game. Newton’s excellence became prominent when he recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in last year’s national championship game against San Diego State and shot 100% from the free-throw line. He was then named to the All-Final Four Team, and set a UConn record of two triple-doubles in a single season.

In his final year, he again led the charge for the Huskies, becoming their leading offensive option while averaging 14.9 points and 6.2 assists per game. He was named a consensus first-team All-American and won the Bob Cousy Award as the country’s best point guard. Newton remained consistent in the NCAA Tournament, posting 14.5 points and 7.2 assists through six games in March Madness. His brilliant performance in the Final overshadowed Purdue’s Zach Edey, who had 37 points and 10 rebounds.

Now, Newton will turn his attention to the NBA Draft. Where do you think the 22-year-old will end up?

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