The University of Southern Indiana (USI) has announced the signing of five new athletes who will join the men's basketball program for the 2026‑27 season, a move that underscores the school's intent to deepen its talent pool.
A blended roster of experiences
Among the newcomers, Ari Gooch, a 6‑foot‑2 guard from Minneapolis, brings a track record of scoring and playmaking after stints at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and McLennan Community College.
Josh Smith, also a 6‑foot‑2 point guard, hails from Baton Rouge and arrives after a productive period at Lee College, where he logged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game over 62 appearances.
Yesan Warren, a sophomore point guard from Capital Heights, adds depth after two seasons at Cal State Fullerton and Frank Phillips College, where he posted 5.8 assists per game in the most recent campaign.
Afan Trnka, a senior guard from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, comes to USI after a four‑year run at UT Martin, where he contributed 7.5 points and 2.7 assists per game in 62 appearances.
Completing the class, Fredy‑Salam Sylla, a 6‑foot‑7 forward/guard, joins after a freshman season at Eastern Florida State College in which he averaged 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds.
Program officials highlighted the versatility and depth the new class brings, noting that the mix of domestic and international talent equips the team with a competitive edge as they prepare for the upcoming season.