BLOOMINGTON — As Indiana basketball inches toward a completed roster for next season, Darian DeVries’ list of priorities narrows.
Speaking last week, DeVries mentioned depth in the post as a potential need, one he crossed off the next day with the commitment of German 7-footer Clemens Sokolov. That news only strengthened another area of opportunity in DeVries’ 2026-27 team: A freshman class overshadowed by the busy spring transfer window.
Both his high school signees and his transfer portal work this far have reloaded significant portions of Indiana’s roster, leaving DeVries a short list of to-dos remaining before summer workouts.
“We’ve got good depth at most positions,” DeVries said. “(The remaining focus is on) just adding a little more depth in a couple areas, just to cover us from a practice standpoint, from an injury standpoint. That’s our priority with these last couple.”
What German 7-footer can bring to IU
DeVries didn’t speak Thursday about Sokolov, whose commitment was only confirmed Friday and who has yet to be announced by his new program.
That’s just a question of paperwork and timing. Why Indiana targeted the German big man fits with DeVries’ more general suggestion that IU was “still trying to add some depth on the interior,” something DeVries said Thursday the Hoosiers were “very actively doing.”
Since the final weeks of his first season in Bloomington, Indiana’s second-year coach has been open in acknowledging a need for more size to compete at the top end of the Big Ten. Which is why the program that only rotated Sam Alexis and Reed Bailey at the five for nearly all of last season intentionally targeted Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu immediately this spring.
Sherrell can play in the post but also stretch the floor, while Yigitoglu — listed at 7 foot 2, 270 pounds — hands DeVries a true center around which he can build his frontcourt.
As referenced Thursday, DeVries wanted depth behind that pair. Clemens, who last season averaged 6.4 points and five rebounds across 23 minutes per game for Wuerzburg, in Germany’s Pro B South league, provides that.
Why Darian DeVries likes IU basketball freshman class
Sokolov joins what’s now a four-man freshman class, one DeVries expects to impact his program right away.
In addition to potential frontcourt depth, the Hoosiers added two versatile wings, in Vaughn Karvala (No. 62 nationally, per On3) and Trevor Manhertz (No. 76 nationally). And they’ll add backcourt help via Prince-Alexander Moody (No. 102 nationally), a D.C. native DeVries described as “a guard that can play multiple positions.”
DeVries doesn’t necessarily expect big impact from every one of his freshman. He’s just not ruling out meaningful contributions from at least one or two of them.
“Those guys have a chance to come in and contribute. I think they’re all very talented in different ways, and I’m excited about what they’re going to do,” DeVries said. “They’re still going to be freshmen. They’re going to go through some things. But I like what they bring. I think they’re all going to have an opportunity to come in and play, and give us some good minutes.”
What Indiana basketball still needs
What’s left, then?
Sokolov’s addition seems to address post depth concerns. Trent Sisley’s continued development, attached to the arrivals of Karvala, Manhertz and Georgia Tech transfer Jaeden Mustaf, gives DeVries lineup flexibility in the event he wants to play smaller when the situation calls for it.
The Hoosiers still have two more scholarships to hand out for next season, and it’s unclear where Tuesday’s commitment of Maryland-Eastern Shore guard Justin Monden fits into that grid. Given the timing and movement of the portal window, it stands to reason that most (if not all) of the players DeVries expects to be meaningful contributors come winter are already in the fold.
Added depth still means higher-quality practices, and insurance against serious injury concerns. It’s the last touch needed to finish a roster remade into one DeVries believes can compete in the conference.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What Darian DeVries is looking for to finish his second Indiana basketball roster
Reporting by Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
