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    Puerto Rico in focus: Thoughts on IU basketball forward Tucker DeVries

    Mike SchumannBy IU Basketball 7 Comments
    Photo credit - Indiana Athletics

    The Daily Hoosier spent the week in Puerto Rico in connection with IU basketball’s summer tour, and had several opportunities to see the team in action.  Since nothing was televised or streamed, we are going to go player-by-player to share our thoughts on what we saw, and what to expect from Indiana’s 2025-26 roster.

    Next up is fifth-year forward Tucker DeVries, who transferred to Indiana from West Virginia during the offseason.

    BY THE NUMBERS

    MPG – 27.7
    PPG – 10.7
    FG% – 28.6%
    3FG% – 22.2%
    FT% – 80%
    RPG – 6.3
    APG – 4.0
    TOPG – 2.0
    SPG – 2.0
    BPG – .7

    WHAT STOOD OUT

    Indiana orchestrated massive rallies in the final two games, and DeVries was at the center of them both.

    DeVries can play a very physical style when he decides to drive.  Fueling IU’s rally in game three, he had a pair of and-ones on drives into the paint within minutes of each other, and in each case he initiated and then played through contact.  Overall DeVries attempted 15 free throws in Puerto Rico and made 12.  Driving the ball was a necessity because Mega Superbet was stuck on him beyond the arc giving him no room to shoot, and he showed he’s more than just a high volume shooter.

    Probably the moment that stood out more than any other was when DeVries dove head first for a loose ball as IU rallied in the second half of the second game.  This is a player coming off a second shoulder surgery in a meaningless August game ahead of his final season of college basketball.  He put his shoulder at risk — and he deflected the ball out to Lamar Wilkerson, who made a three.

    DeVries’ tenacity also showed up on the glass.  He pulled down 6.3 rebounds per game, and when he snares one on the defensive end, he immediately turns and pushes the ball up the court himself.  That optimizes Indiana’s tempo.

    While he’s aggressive, Devries is not a selfish player, as his 4.0 assists per game suggest.  He’s had 11 career games with six or more assists, and with a roster full of capable scorers at Indiana, he should hit that mark a few times this year as well.

    He sees the game well, he’s skilled, and he generally makes the right basketball play for the situation.  DeVries is a vocal and fiery leader too.  It seems clear — he and Lamar Wilkerson will be Indiana’s go-to scorers.

    Much like his former Drake teammate Conor Enright, DeVries is coming off shoulder surgery and hasn’t played much full contact basketball in the previous eight months.  That probably at least in part explains his poor shooting numbers in Puerto Rico.  But the bottom line is, he’s got a lengthy track record as a scorer in college.  He’s an elite high-volume perimeter shooter. There is no cause for concern.

    NEED TO SEE MORE

    It probably wouldn’t be right to say anyone needs to see more from Tucker DeVries.  He’s a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, and he posted impressive numbers at West Virginia a year ago before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

    QUOTABLE

    “This group’s pure shooting is definitely up there with one of the better ones I’ve ever been on,” Tucker said just ahead of the trip.  “Everybody on this team can make shots.”

    “It definitely feels good to actually be in shape in the summer time and be able to lift a weight or two,” DeVries said. “I’ve missed the last two offseasons and been thrown into the fire.”

    MORE COVERAGE

    Puerto Rico in focus: Thoughts on IU basketball’s offense, defense and other big picture observations

    For complete coverage of IU basketball, GO HERE. 

    The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”

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