Indiana’s basketball program entered a pivotal offseason after a bruising first year in the Big Ten, and head coach Darian DeVries has responded with a clear blueprint: bring in players who have already tested themselves at the highest levels of college basketball.
A Roster Rebuilt with Experience
Six of the seven scholarship transfers added this summer come from high‑major conferences, a deliberate move to inject size, length and playmaking ability into a unit that struggled to find consistency a year ago.
The most notable arrival is Markus Burton, a Notre Dame guard whose playmaking pedigree and scoring threat address the void left by last season’s guard departures. Alongside him, Alabama forward Aiden Sherrell and SMU center Samet Yigitoglu bolster the frontcourt, while German 7‑footer Clemens Sokolov adds a rare international dimension.
DeVries also secured the services of Sam Alexis, Tucker DeVries, Conor Enright and Ryan Carr, each bringing a blend of experience and versatility. Guard Lamar Wilkerson from Sam Houston State adapted quickly to the step up, illustrating the coach’s confidence that the new backcourt can generate offense without sacrificing defensive intensity.
Veteran Trent Sisley remains a cornerstone after a season of growth, and the coaching staff welcomed three freshmen in the 2026 class. The combination of returning stalwarts and high‑major transfers has sparked optimism that the Hoosiers can contend for an NCAA Tournament berth.
Beyond the roster, DeVries and his assistants will benefit from extra practice time as the team prepares for the FISU America Games in Peru this July, using the competition as a laboratory for chemistry and strategy before the regular season begins.