Author: Mike Schumann

Class of 2027 top-30 guard Chase Branham is coming to Indiana a year early. But he’s not headed to Bloomington. After announcing his commitment to IU in September and leading his high school to a state title, the 6-foot-4 Branham will spend his senior year at national prep school powerhouse La Lumiere in La Porte, Ind. La Lumiere plays in the national EYBL Scholastic League, which will give Branham the opportunity to practice and play games against elite talent.  The Lakers run a modern offense that led the EYBL Scholastic in points per possession, 3-point attempt rate, 3-pointers made, and…

IU Athletics will be prominent at the 2026 ESPY Awards. The 2025 national championship football squad is up for Best Team, while quarterback Fernando Mendoza is up for Best Breakthrough Athlete and Best Men’s College Athlete. Former IU basketball player OG Anunoby’s game-winning Game 4 tip-in at the NBA Finals is also up for Best Play. IU football completed the first 16-0 season since 1894.  Under the direction of head coach Curt Cignetti, their national title game win over Miami marked one of the most dramatic turnarounds in sports history.  Indiana went 9-27 from 2021-23, and then 27-2 from 2024-25.…

Former IU basketball big man Sam Alexis will get a closer look from Oklahoma City during the NBA Summer League. Alexis signed a deal with the franchise to play over a slate of games that runs July 4 to July 16. He’ll be joined by fellow former Hoosier Lamar Wilkerson, who signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City hosted Alexis for a workout before the NBA Draft. Alexis spent one season with Indiana and etched his name in the program record book.  His 68.7 field goal percentage is the best single season ever by an IU player…

Legendary IU basketball coach Bob Knight’s 1987 national championship ring is being auctioned off. The ring is currently listed at Sotheby’s with an estimated sales price of $60,000 to $80,000.  It is described as a 10 karat gold ring with various jewels. Knight auctioned all of his national championship rings, his Olympic gold medal, and other items in 2012.  He said at the time he was doing it to raise money for his grandchildren’s college education. He was never into putting such items on display in his home. “I’ve got stuff I didn’t even know I had,” Knight said at…

Class of 2028 forward Logan Chwastyk is an IU basketball recruiting name to know. The Indiana staff offered the 6-foot-10 Chwastyk a scholarship last week. A product of the Philadelphia, Pa. area, Chwastyk attends Malvern Prep in Malvern, Pa.  As a high school sophomore he averaged 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks while shooting 54% from the field. In the average of the national rankings, Chwastyk is a 4-star, the No. 18 overall player in the 2028 class, and the No. 3 center. On film, Chwastyk is a mobile big man who can step out and knock…

IU football offensive tackle Carter Smith highlights the program’s top returning players in 2026. The Big Ten’s 2025 offensive lineman of the year was named by Pro Football Focus as the top returning offensive tackle in the nation. Three other Hoosiers are among the top-10 returners at their respective positions according to PFF.  They are summarized below. Included are some interesting data points about each player highlighting their elite production thus far. Note:  PFF hasn’t published such information for defensive backs or linebackers. OFFENSIVE TACKLE 1. Carter Smith, Indiana “Smith is entering his fourth year as Indiana’s starting left tackle and…

Fair warning to Howard:  Curt Cignetti has found something to be angry about your Sept. 12 trip to Bloomington. No, Cignetti is not picking on the FCS program, he’s getting ready for the 2026 season — a campaign that features an entirely new dynamic for the 65-year-old head coach:  The defense of a national title. One of the mainstays of Cignetti’s championship culture is the elimination of complacency. You’ve likely heard him recite the program dogma. There’s no smiling on the sideline with a big lead.  Every play has a life of its low.  Never too high, never too low. …

Former Indiana basketball forward Tucker DeVries has signed an NBA Exhibit 10 deal with the Boston Celtics. He’s the second member of the 2025-26 IU team to sign that kind of contract.  Lamar Wilkerson signed with Oklahoma City. The deal will allow DeVries a chance to make the Celtics NBA roster, along with an opportunity to stay with the franchise in the G League. DeVries participated in the G League Combine last month. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed, minimum-salary NBA deal. It allows teams to bring players to the summer league and training camp while retaining their G…

After going undrafted, former IU basketball star Lamar Wilkerson has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wilkerson grew up in Ashdown, Ark., less than 300 miles from Oklahoma City. The deal will allow Wilkerson a chance to make the Thunder NBA roster, along with an opportunity to stay with the franchise in the G League.  Wilkerson participated in the G League Combine last month. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed, minimum-salary NBA deal. It allows teams to bring players to the summer league and training camp while retaining their G League rights if they…

Texas-based Josiah Rose is a name to monitor in the class of 2028 for IU basketball. The Indiana staff offered Rose a scholarship in May. A 6-foot-3 guard with a plus-six wingspan, Rose attends Faith Family Academy in Dallas, Texas.  He posted 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists over 16 games in the Nike EYBL Scholastic League during the school year. In the average of the national rankings, Rose is a 4-star, the No. 21 overall player in the 2028 class, and the No. 4 point guard.  He’s a strong, physical, three-level scoring point guard whose game brings Jalen…