With six incoming players announced in a three-day span, IU basketball hit the 2026 transfer portal like a bolt of lightning.
The Hoosiers got to 10 players for next season’s roster in the blink of an eye. But the remaining open spots have remained unfilled for the three following weeks with little fanfare regarding prospects for the remaining voids.
Don’t expect as much flash with the final two to three additions.
IU coach Darian DeVries said Thursday the staff continues to look for players to round out the roster, but at this point it’s all about practice support and insurance in the event of an injury.
“We are still trying to add some depth in the interior,” DeVries said regarding the final roster spots. “That’s something we are very actively doing. That’s a priority for us. Maybe adding more depth in a couple of areas, just to cover us from a practice standpoint, an injury standpoint. That’s our priority with the last couple.”
Interior depth makes a lot of sense for Indiana.
The Hoosiers have 7-foot-2 Samet Yigitoglu and 6-foot-11 Aiden Sherrell. But beyond that imposing duo, the next tallest players on the team are sophomore Trent Sisley and freshman Trevor Manhertz, both listed at 6-foot-8.
Indiana’s depth needs appear to be another true center, a floor-spacing stretch-4, and another true point guard.
An obvious conclusion from DeVries’ comment is he expects his three incoming freshmen to be contributors.
“With freshmen, you don’t know for sure, but I’m really excited about them,” DeVries said of his incoming first-year trio of Prince-Alexander Moody, Vaughn Karvala, and Trevor Manhertz. “I think all three of those guys have a chance to come in and contribute, and I think they are all very talented in different ways.”
The unspoken part of DeVries’ remarks is that IU probably doesn’t have significant financial resources to share with the late additions, whoever they end up being.
There isn’t necessarily a high degree of urgency to fill the remaining spots. The staff can be a bit patient and selective.
Indiana’s new players will begin arriving in late May to begin classes and offseason workouts.
But IU does get extra practice time this summer surrounding its trip to Peru. The Hoosiers would be well served to have their team in place when formal practices begin to aid the development of everyone from the starters on down.
Last summer and into the fall a late developing roster followed by a wave of injuries prevented Indiana from having optimal practices, as the second unit was often comprised of walk-ons and graduate assistants.
WANG OFF THE BOARD
We learned one player who will not fill one of the final roster spots for IU.
San Francisco transfer forward Junjie Wang visited Indiana last month. He announced a commitment to UMass on Thursday evening.
For complete coverage of IU basketball recruiting, GO HERE.
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