Center Grove grad has taken scenic route through college hoops career

How Jonny Marlin used to envision his college career is considerably different from reality.

What began in Fort Wayne for the former Center Grove High School point guard eventually continued in Bloomington and will conclude in Marion one day relatively soon.

A man and his Indiana cities — three of them.

“Crazy journey. I don’t think I ever expected my college career to go like this. I’m very glad that it did. At times it was tough, but it was just trusting in God’s plan. I’m very content with where I’m at now,” Marlin said.

The 2011-12 season at IPFW introduced Marlin to all aspects of playing for a Division I program while at the same time turning out to be a springboard.

Marlin transferred to Indiana University and was a walk-on to the men’s basketball program, redshirting the 2012-13 season and finally getting the opportunity to represent the cream and crimson the following year.

In April of 2014, Marlin again shifted gears, this time transferring to Indiana Wesleyan University to play his final two seasons for a Wildcats program fresh off an NAIA Division-II national championship.

The 6-foot playmaker made the most of his new surroundings, earning first-team All-American honors after averaging 13 points and 6.6 assists per game.

Indiana Wesleyan finished 33-3, bowing out in the NAIA Elite Eight with a 79-75 loss to Davenport (Michigan).

With his final season of college eligibility ahead of him, Marlin, who by this point has dribbled into the teeth of virtually every defensive setup, knows his experience is a major plus for the Wildcats.

“I’m really excited to lead this team. Me being a fifth-year senior I think I’ve been around plenty of basketball to share some insight,” he said.

Along with 6-7 junior forward and third-team All-American Lane Mahurin, Indiana Wesleyan also brings back junior guard Bob Peters and sophomore forward Jacob Johnson.

Marlin speaks highly of the program’s newcomers, which includes former Wright State guard and 2014 Indiana All-Star Grant Evans.

The 6-2 guard is Wapahani High School’s all-time leading scorer.

But it will be Marlin running the point and providing whatever advice is needed in order to improve the product as a whole.

“Jonny knows the system and the expectations,” said Indiana Wesleyan coach Greg Tonagel, who in 10 seasons has accumulated a record of 268-78 (.775). “He has complete freedom to run the show from the point guard position and we all expect Jonny will elevate this team.”

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Mike Beas
Mike Beas is the Daily Journal's veteran sports reporter. He has been to more than 200 Indiana high schools, including 1990s visits to Zionsville to profile current Boston Celtics GM Brad Stevens, Gary Roosevelt to play eventual Purdue All-American Glenn Robinson in HORSE (didn’t end well) and Seeger to visit the old gym in which Stephanie White, later the coach of the Indiana Fever, honed her skills in pickup games involving her dad and his friends. He can be reached at [email protected].