BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana Hoosiers will look a lot different when they hit the court next season.
The departures of seniors Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson will leave a hole in the frontcourt. Sharpshooter Miller Kopp reached the end of his NCAA journey.
The future of Jalen Hood-Schifino is no longer up in the air. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year, widely viewed as a pro prospect, has declared for the NBA Draft.
Guard Tamar Bates has entered the transfer portal, according to the IndyStar.
Bates spent most of his time coming off the bench for the Hoosiers and struggled from the field. He shot a combined 0 for 13 in Indiana’s two NCAA Tournament games.
Bates originally planned to attend the University of Texas but chose IU after Texas coach Shaka Smart left for Marquette.
Center Logan Duncomb announced his intention to leave IU and enter the transfer portal.
“I’ve made the difficult decision to leave IU,” Duncomb wrote in a Twitter post. “Thankful for the teammates, fans, coaches, staff and friends who have supported me! Love you all.”
On Thursday, March 29, forward Jordan Geronimo became the third Hoosier to enter the transfer portal. Originally an Archie Miller recruit, Geronimo stuck with the program after Miller left. An energetic player known for his athleticism, he started six games last season and filled in admirably when Race Thompson missed time due to injury.
As the season progressed, however, Geronimo’s playing time started to dwindle, with IU turning to Kaleb Banks more often. He played sparingly down the stretch and didn’t even log minutes in IU’s second-round NCAA Tournament game against Miami. He ended up at Maryland.
The Hoosiers will see the return of guard Xavier Johnson, who played in 11 games before suffering a foot injury that ended his season. Johnson applied for a medical hardship waiver, which the NCAA granted, the school announced on April 26.
Johnson brings experience, defensive intensity and playmaking ability to the Hoosiers’ backcourt. He transferred to Bloomington after spending three seasons in Pittsburgh.
IU added to its frontcourt via transfer Payton Sparks, who played two seasons at Ball State University. Sparks entered the transfer portal and committed to IU. The Winchester product, listed at 6’9” and 240 pounds, was the MAC Freshman of the Year during the 2021-2022 season.
During his sophomore campaign, Sparks averaged 13.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He brings size and rebounding ability to Bloomington.
On April 10, Oregon’s Kel’el Ware announced his decision to transfer to IU. The 7-foot center is a five-star prospect out of North Little Rock, Arkansas, who boasts size and a versatile offensive skillset.
He averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game at Oregon and was one of the top players to enter the transfer portal after the season.
IU made another frontcourt addition with the transfer of Anthony Walker. The 6’9″ forward spent four seasons at Miami. He announced his plans to transfer to Bloomington in late April.
Walker played in 125 games during his time in Miami, where he averaged 15.1 minutes, 4.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He was part of the Final Four team that ousted Indiana from the NCAA Tournament and comes to Bloomington as a graduate transfer.
The Hoosiers received a further boost in May, when they landed coveted prospect Mackenzie Mgbako. Originally committed to Duke, Mgbako decided to reconsider his options in April. He was reportedly considering IU, Kansas, St. John’s and Louisville before making Kansas and Indiana his finalists.
The 6’8″ forward from New Jersey is a top 10 prospect. An accomplished shooter, he can also bolster IU’s interior and rebounding thanks to his size and strength.
Guards Jakai Newton (Newton High School in Covington, Georgia) and Gabe Cupps (Centerville High School in Centerville, Ohio) are Indiana’s other freshman commits.
Several other players on the roster, including Malik Reneau, Kaleb Banks, C.J. Gunn, Anthony Leal and Trey Galloway, are expected to return for coach Mike Woodson.
