Tristen Jamal Newton (born April 26, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA, currently on a two-way contract with the Iowa Wolves in the NBA G League. Newton played college basketball for the East Carolina Pirates and the UConn Huskies, winning national championships in 2023 and 2024.
Newton attended Burges High School in El Paso, Texas, where he excelled as a senior, leading the state in scoring with 37.2 points per game. He scored a total of 3,266 points in high school. At East Carolina, Newton averaged 11 points and 3.7 assists per game as a freshman, and by his junior season, he earned All-American Athletic Conference second-team honors with averages of 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. After transferring to UConn in 2022, he helped lead the Huskies to the 2023 NCAA championship, recording two triple-doubles. In 2024, he helped UConn win another national title and became the first player in the program's history to record four triple-doubles. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 NCAA tournament.
Newton was selected by the Indiana Pacers as the 49th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and signed a two-way contract with the team. He was waived by the Pacers in January 2025 and was claimed by the Minnesota Timberwolves, retaining his two-way contract status. In his brief NBA career, Newton has played in a total of 8 games, splitting time between the Pacers and Timberwolves. His college stats reflect a standout career, with an average of 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game across 157 games.
Newton’s older brother, Jawaun, played college basketball at Evansville and Southern Illinois, and he is cousins with NFL players Aaron and Alvin Jones. Newton's impact on the college basketball scene is significant, having led UConn to two national championships and cementing his place in the program's history with multiple triple-doubles. His leadership and playmaking abilities have been widely praised, and his future in the NBA looks promising.
East Carolina (2019–2022)
Tristen Newton began his college basketball career at East Carolina University in 2019. As a freshman, he immediately earned a spot in the starting lineup, where he averaged 11 points and 3.7 assists per game, setting the program record for assists in a season by a freshman. Over the next two seasons, Newton's performance continued to improve, culminating in a junior season where he averaged 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. His success earned him a place on the All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) second team at the end of the 2021-22 season. Newton's time at East Carolina helped establish his reputation as a versatile guard capable of scoring and facilitating for his teammates.
UConn (2022–2024)
After transferring to the University of Connecticut (UConn) in 2022, Newton quickly made an impact in the program. Under head coach Dan Hurley, he was given the starting point guard role and immediately filled a crucial playmaking void for the Huskies. During his first season with UConn in 2022-23, Newton helped the team win its fifth NCAA championship, playing a pivotal role in their championship run and becoming the second player in UConn history to record two triple-doubles. The following season, Newton returned for the 2023-24 campaign after initially declaring for the 2023 NBA draft. In the 2023-24 season, he achieved four triple-doubles, becoming the first player in program history to do so. He also led UConn to another national championship, securing back-to-back titles. Newton was named the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the 2024 NCAA tournament, cementing his legacy at UConn and making him a prominent figure in college basketball.
Indiana Pacers (2024)
In June 2024, Tristen Newton was selected by the Indiana Pacers as the 49th overall pick in the NBA Draft. Shortly after the draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Pacers, allowing him to split his time between the NBA team and their affiliate in the G League. Newton made a brief appearance with the Pacers in the 2024-25 NBA season, playing in five games. His time with the Pacers was short-lived, as he was waived in January 2025, but it marked the beginning of his professional career in the NBA.
Minnesota Timberwolves (2025–Present)
After being waived by the Pacers, Newton was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 3, 2025, where he retained his two-way contract. He continued to split his time between the NBA and the G League, appearing in a few games with the Timberwolves. Although his NBA career has just started, his previous accomplishments in college basketball, including leading UConn to two national championships and being named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2024 NCAA tournament, have set high expectations for his future in the league.
While Tristen Newton's international basketball career is still in its early stages, his potential has already been noted. As of now, he has not yet played for the USA Basketball senior team in international competitions. However, his performance in the NCAA tournaments, especially his leadership in leading UConn to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, has earned him significant recognition on a global scale. Newton's playmaking ability, leadership, and impressive triple-double feats have made him a promising candidate for future involvement in international basketball events, particularly with USA Basketball. His status as a standout player in the NCAA tournament, especially being named Most Outstanding Player in 2024, positions him as a future prospect for international team selections in upcoming tournaments such as the FIBA World Cup or Olympic Games, where he could contribute to the growth of basketball at the global level.
Position: Point Guard
Skills:
Family Background
Tristen Newton comes from a family with a strong athletic background. His older brother, Jawaun Newton, played college basketball for Evansville and Southern Illinois, showing that basketball talent runs in the family. Additionally, Tristen is cousins with Aaron Jones and Alvin Jones, both of whom are professional football players. His family’s athletic achievements have undoubtedly influenced his career, and his personal life is intertwined with the support and motivation he receives from his relatives.
Community Involvement
While not extensively publicized, Newton has been known to stay connected with his roots and community. His time growing up in El Paso, Texas, where he played high school basketball at Burges High School, has kept him grounded. His journey from a high school star in Texas to a national champion at UConn serves as an inspiration for young athletes in his community. Newton is someone who recognizes the value of community and likely serves as a role model for aspiring athletes back home.
Interests Beyond Basketball
Off the court, Newton has shown a well-rounded personality, with interests outside of basketball. He enjoys spending time with family and friends and has expressed a love for exploring new opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Although his focus is primarily on his basketball career, like many athletes, Newton likely enjoys using his platform to make a positive impact, especially by being a positive influence on younger generations interested in sports.
Media and Public Appearances
Tristen Newton's public life is closely tied to his basketball achievements, with his performances on the court often drawing media attention. As his NBA career progresses, he is likely to be featured in more public appearances, interviews, and community outreach programs, where his personality and interests outside of basketball will be highlighted more.
Legacy So Far
Tristen Newton's legacy in college basketball is already firmly established. His time at UConn, where he helped lead the team to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, has cemented his place as one of the program’s all-time greats. He became the first player in UConn history to record four triple-doubles, showcasing his versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Newton’s remarkable performances in the NCAA tournaments, including being named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 tournament, have left a lasting imprint on college basketball, particularly for a point guard known as both a scorer and playmaker. His leadership, basketball IQ, and clutch performances helped propel UConn to new heights, and he is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished players in the program's history.
What His Legacy Could Become
As Newton embarks on his NBA journey, his legacy has the potential to evolve into one of greater national significance. His versatility as a point guard and his proven ability to perform under pressure make him a strong candidate to become a key player in the NBA. Should he continue to develop his game and contribute to his team, he could go on to build a reputation as one of the league’s premier playmakers.
In addition to his basketball skills, Newton’s leadership and ability to inspire others, particularly younger athletes from his hometown of El Paso and those who follow his journey, could be a significant part of his legacy. Beyond his on-court achievements, Newton has the opportunity to use his platform to mentor others, influence the next generation of players, and become a community leader. If he achieves success in the NBA, he could be remembered not only for his basketball accolades but also for his role in paving the way for future athletes from underrepresented regions.
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