Indiana Basketball Faces Major Roster Changes with New Coach DeVries

Bloomington, Ind. – Redshirt freshman guard Jakai Newton has announced his entry into the transfer portal, a move he confirmed on Monday night. Once a promising prospect as the first high school commitment of former Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson, Newton struggled to find his footing in Bloomington, playing in just four games during the 2024-25 season and averaging 1.5 points per game due to injuries that included midseason surgery. He had missed the entire 2023-24 season because of injury and is one of four players from the Indiana University (IU) men’s basketball team to enter the transfer portal since the conclusion of the season, following Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau, and Gabe Cupps.

In a major development for the program, the Indiana Hoosiers announced Darian DeVries as their new head coach, bringing significant experience from his previous roles. DeVries spent 17 years as an assistant coach at Creighton before leading Drake for six successful seasons and a brief stint at West Virginia. He consistently delivered strong results with the Bulldogs, achieving more than 20 wins each season and advancing to the NCAA Tournament three times, and he improved the performance of the Mountaineers significantly during his lone season at WVU.

The transition comes at a critical time for the Hoosiers, as they seek to rebuild and redefine their roster. DeVries will have to act quickly to address the departures and shifts within the team, as four players are now confirmed in the transfer portal, leaving significant gaps in the lineup. Cupps, a guard who averaged 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season, is looking to transfer after an injury-shortened sophomore year. Meanwhile, Reneau, who led the team with 13.3 points per game this past season, will also seek new opportunities.

DeVries emphasized the need to establish connections within the Indiana basketball community and expressed his desire to meet with each player to assess their futures with the program. “We’re going to try to get with everybody individually… this is our first conversation together, so let’s see what that looks like for everybody,” he explained. The new coach recognizes that for some players, it may be best to part ways amicably, while others might thrive under his leadership.

As the Hoosiers embark on this offseason, DeVries will need to build a solid coaching staff, a task he is currently undertaking. The lack of announced hires has sparked speculation, but he remains in contact with various colleagues in the basketball community to fill crucial roles. “You have your staff put together their relationships with people,” he stated, highlighting the importance of continuity and connection in recruiting efforts.

Given Indiana’s past struggles in retaining in-state talent, particularly under previous coaches, DeVries’s familiarity with Midwest recruiting will play a pivotal role in his success. He is poised to reshape the Hoosiers’ approach and make Indiana a compelling destination once again for top prospects.

As of now, the program is in a state of flux, with more players expected to consider transfers. DeVries anticipates that maintaining roster continuity will be essential for the longevity of the team he plans to build. He acknowledges the challenges of relying heavily on the transfer portal while also aspiring to nurture homegrown talent from high school recruits.

One potential target in the transfer portal is Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son and a highly-ranked transfer from West Virginia who has already established himself as a notable shooter. The Hoosiers await confirmation regarding his situation, which could significantly impact their roster.

Overall, the upcoming months will be critical for DeVries, as he focuses on both short-term fixes and long-term strategies to elevate Indiana basketball’s status. His approach will involve assessing current players, building a dependable coaching staff, and re-establishing Indiana’s recruiting footprint within a state that has long been a treasure trove for emerging basketball talent.