Ahead of this week's Rock Hill Classic, read more about IUPUI junior guard Jlynn Counter, as written by Jack Wright.

Jlynn Counter has logged the extra hours in each phase of his life to fulfill and exceed expectations for his junior campaign, or as he coined it "the money year." Counter, a combo guard from Oklahoma City, is now entering his second season on the IUPUI men's basketball team after transferring from Northern Oklahoma College at Enid. Last season, Counter led the team in points, assists, field goals and free throws while landing second in minutes, rebounds and steals.
 
With the production, there comes some popularity. Although he does not deny the label of the biggest personality on the team, Counter expressed that there's more to him than what passers-by may observe.
 
 "I feel like I come out as an outgoing person, but I am shy at some times… I come off as a goofy person if you don't know me, but if you come over to my apartment or sit down and have lunch with me, then you will realize I'm a down-to-earth guy," Counter said.
 
IUPUI finished tenth in the Horizon League with a record of 5-27 last season, but one particular bright spot for the Jaguars was team field goal percentage, ranking in the top half of the league and demonstrating how the offense consistently finds quality looks at the basket. Overall, a season of learning leads to an offseason of experience. The Jaguars return seven of their top eight players in terms of average minutes per game for 2023-24. Though, Jaguars third-year head coach Matt Crenshaw did not stop there. Crenshaw brought in four new players, including big men with experience: graduate, Qwanzi Samuels and senior Yves Nkomba, establishing a well-grounded frontcourt.

"The team chemistry has definitely built since I got here in July," Samuels said. "There's only four new guys, so they kinda already had their chemistry, but they have really been open to letting us in and treating us as one of their own very early."

Who is among the catalysts of that blossoming chemistry? Counter.

Counter said he has not shied away from being a leader on the team. He understands that the team's leading scorer will be expected to produce when the time comes, in addition to providing a guiding voice to his teammates.
 
"Coming into practice I have to make sure that I talk early. As long as my voice is being heard, when it comes time to talk, [my teammates] have already heard it. I feel like if I can talk to myself, that will get me going and also get my teammates going as well," Counter said.
 
In a long season, the energy some days will be lower than others. Counter looks to be that spark when a lull inevitably strikes a team. Statistics aside, Counter embraces the fact that respect in the locker room must be earned; that started in the offseason.
 
Counter said his primary focus was consistency on and off the court, beginning in the classroom. He cited that putting in the extra work in regard to schoolwork or the weight room, it will carry over.
 
 "I feel like if I take care of all the little things, it will translate to the court," Counter said.
 
This preseason, other players took notice. Samuels stated that Counter is a cutthroat leader, that "He's not going to pat you on the back – he's going to tell you how you need to do it. He expects excellence from you, and I really appreciate that."
 
A season ago, a cutthroat style of leadership may have fallen flat in the faces of inexperienced players on a losing streak. The consistency aspect that Counter focused on this offseason was shared by all. After last season concluded, Crenshaw said that the team had seen it all in the beginning of his tenure, namely, a COVID-19 impacted season where the Jaguars struggled to be competitive. On the other hand, the coach felt the team's attitude improved.
 
"In year two, it was a totally different team with a more upbeat tone," Crenshaw said.
 
A more upbeat team becomes a more prepared team this coming season.
 
Digging deeper, Counter shared what drives him. Before all, he expressed that his mother is his greatest source of inspiration, but on the court, his primary source of motivation is proving others wrong.
 
As a player with no Division I offers after graduating from Feltrim Academy, Counter views his opportunity in Indianapolis as a blessing, since he had to take extra steps to get here where others did not. One year at a junior college in Oklahoma to prove his abilities while working for UPS on and off is not the typical route to take for an all-conference player in the Horizon League.
 
 "I'm not supposed to be in the position I am now. I keep proving people wrong, keep proving myself wrong," Counter said.
 
Counter said he is trying to instill a similar mindset in his teammates looking toward the beginning of the season. When asked what he is most excited for this year, Counter reiterated, "Proving people wrong, we went 5-27 last year. We've got some tough games – we go into Minnesota, I'm excited to play at a Power Five, Big Ten Conference school and see what kind of atmosphere that is. 5-27 was our record, but towards the end, we didn't really play like that."
 
Counter broke down his relationship with backcourt running mate and 2022-23 Horizon League All-Freshman Team electee Vincent Brady II. Counter and Brady were one and two in minutes played this past season, and there is no reason not to believe that statistic will hold for another year.

"One of the reasons why our relationship is so good is we bond extremely well off the court," Counter said. "We talk every day. [Brady] comes over to watch football with us, and he does homework with us. In order to have a great relationship on the court with somebody, it starts off the court. Being around someone off the court, you can get the feel of what that person is really made of. Then, when you go on the court, it gels."
 
A backcourt whose chemistry is solid leads to the question: who is going to be putting in the work on the block? Samuels explained that there is a wealth of possibilities when it comes to combinations and effectiveness of the big men in a guard-heavy rotation.
 
"Even if we wanted to go small-ball where I'm at the 5, that just opens up a whole different realm of possibilities to give teams different looks," Samuels said. "Just staying ready and showcasing my abilities is really the best way that I can make an impact."
 
Samuels is a do-it-all forward who can stretch the court, so success may come from his play at either the 3, 4, or 5 spot alongside fellow transfer bigs Yves Nkomba and Abdou Samb.

It is no secret that this team is hungry and fueled by the grind of last season's record.
 
Perseverance – the word Samuels used to encapsulate the Jaguars' mindset heading into this year's campaign. The ability to hit the reset button and lean on leaders when the Jags face adversity will be crucial for improvement this season.
 
As for Counter, there is not an ounce of fear to go for the crown and make a name for himself and this year's squad. His goals include being a first-team all-conference player, but most importantly, capturing the Horizon League title.