Before transferring to IU in 2019, redshirt senior Joey Brunk had already finished his degree and graduated from Butler University.
He started 31 games for the IU men’s basketball team last season, but this season, he’s watched all 24 games from the sidelines.
Brunk hasn’t seen any action this year because of a back injury. He said he wasn’t sure how the pain started, but it was a small issue with a back disc, so he underwent surgery Dec. 30, 2020.
“With everything that happened with my back, it's definitely not not ideal,” Brunk said during a press conference Monday. “When you're watching your guys compete in practice every day, and boy, you want to be out there with them. And it's been frustrating, but I'm trying to make the most out of it.”
Since he can’t be out on the court with his teammates, Brunk said he’s tried to be an encouraging voice for them on the bench. He said this time has been about learning how he can help the team in a different way.
He has started to look at games through a different lens. Brunk said he asks himself: If I were to get in the game, what would I be trying to do? And then he takes that and tries to be a positive voice for his teammates.
“I try to be an encouraging voice, make sure we’re all on the same page,” Brunk said. “I try to talk to a lot of the guys, especially going out of halftime, on some things maybe that I saw.”
Until Brunk can get back out on the floor, that’s all he can do — be an encouraging voice.
But the future is still uncertain for Brunk. When — and even if — he will be back on the floor the Hoosiers is unknown at this point.
IU’s game against No. 3 Michigan on Saturday marked senior day for Al Durham and Cooper Bybee. Brunk was invited to participate in the festivities, but didn’t because he said his decision wasn’t set in stone.
“I chose not to participate one because it felt like if I participate, that's kind of a closure deal for myself,” Brunk said.
When asked if he wants to play basketball for another year, Brunk said he wants to play basketball for the foreseeable future. But the problems with playing another year at IU aren’t limited to health concerns.
Brunk will finish his master’s this spring, so if he chooses to stay, he’ll have to figure out another academic program.
“That's kind of, again, some conversations that I'll have to have to have this spring once everything kind of slows down,” Brunk said.
In terms of his recovery, Brunk has been able to lift weights a little bit and runs on the underwater treadmill every day. He has been following his rehabilitation plan to slowly work his way back.
“It's definitely you have to be patient with everything going on,” Brunk said. “And be mindful and to make sure I don't rush back anything.”
Thinking about next year isn’t Brunk’s focus yet. For now, he is prioritizing getting healthy and contributing to the team in any way he can, he said. But those conversations aren’t too far off.
“As far as next year goes, you know I’ve thought a little bit about it,” Brunk said. “That's definitely gonna be a conversation that I'll have this spring with Coach Miller and the rest of the staff, kind of in depth and try to figure out what's best. But kind of my focus has just been trying to get back healthy now.”
For now, that means Brunk will continue to encourage his teammates and help them prepare for their final two regular season games, starting with Michigan State on Tuesday.
He said everyone is locked in going into East Lansing, Michigan.
“I'm trying to figure out how we're gonna get it done tomorrow at Michigan State,” Brunk said. “And that's kind of really where the concern is. It's all about this upcoming game, and whatever happens down the road, we'll worry about that when it gets closer to the right now.”
