IU basketball’s outlet for the 2026-27 season saw a major boost with the return of Sam Alexis.
Indiana’s starting center for most of last season, Alexis brings important frontcourt depth to coach Darian DeVries’ second Hoosier squad.
But the return of Alexis comes with an asterisk.
He obtained a fifth-year of eligibility in the courtroom, when an Indiana judge granted him and others a preliminary injunction against the NCAA’s enforcement of its five-for-five rule.
You probably know the story by now. The NCAA passed a new five-year eligibility rule this summer, but attempted to exclude four-year players in the class of 2022 like Alexis who had just exhausted their eligibility under the old model.
Alexis had already become eligible and then ineligible as part of a Tennessee lawsuit before abandoning that pursuit and joining a group of more than 90 athletes who sued the NCAA in a Monroe County court.
The NCAA is appealing Alexis’ injunction, which means his status could flip to ineligible before or during the season.
The 6-foot-9 Florida product brings a lot to the team. He was talented enough a year ago to be invited to the Oklahoma City Thunder Summer League squad. Along with Samet Yigitoglu and Aiden Sherrell, Alexis gives Indiana a well-rounded rotation at the power forward and center positions.
How is DeVries managing the tenuous nature of Alexis being on the team?
“Our approach is that you can’t forecast injuries either,” DeVries said Thursday at Big Ten media day in Rosemont, Illinois. “He’s there every day, and we anticipate having him until something says otherwise. Right now, we approach it like he’s going to be with us for the entire year.”
DeVries laid out the reasons why he believes Alexis should be granted a fifth year — like all student athletes are receiving prospectively.
“He is exactly why that rule is in place, the five-for-five,” DeVries said. “He stayed at school and is going to get a chance to graduate this year. He’s very young for his age. For us, we held that scholarship open for a situation like this so that he would have that opportunity if it presented itself. I love it for Sam. I think it’s great for him, and it’s great for all the guys who are in those situations where they get that opportunity that is now in front of him.”
Alexis seemed to thrive in DeVries’ system.
Over his last 16 games a season ago, Alexis averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 70.6% from the field. He set a new IU record for field goal percentage in a season.
He also became a verbal and emotional leader for the team, and that’s something his new teammates appreciate.
“He helps us out a lot,” point guard Markus Burton said. “He is a great guy to be around, a great teammate, and extremely energetic. He talks a lot constantly, so it is a blessing to have someone like that on your team, especially with the experience he has in the Big Ten.”
Unless something transpires in the courts last minute, Alexis will play this weekend when Indiana opens exhibition action Sunday evening at Butler (6 p.m. / WISH TV).
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