Reunited with DeVries duo, Conor Enright is ready to lead by example: ‘He doesn’t know another way’

Indiana's Conor Enright competes in practice at Cook Hall.

In a room full of new faces, having someone who already knows the culture can be a big help.

For Indiana’s new father-son duo, head coach Darian DeVries and wing Tucker DeVries, that person is a familiar one: Conor Enright, a scrappy guard who played under Darian at Drake from 2021 to 2024.

Now one of only two players on the 2025 Indiana roster who has firsthand experience with DeVries’ system, Enright is stepping into a leadership role. Despite spending last season at DePaul, he’s embraced the opportunity to guide teammates and set expectations in practice.

“Having two guys that have been through it helps a lot,” Enright said. “We’ve been trying to lead, whether it’s through drills or plays — just setting the standard and having the expectations that we’re supposed to have.”

Enright, who is 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, consistently sets the tone on defense, earning a reputation as a spark plug for his team.

Whether it was stepping up to harass an opponent’s best player for 94 feet or coming from the weak side to take a charge, the Mundelein, Illinois, native has been unafraid to put his body on the line for his team.

That drive not only appears on gameday, but it has also appeared on the practice floor, as the redshirt senior demonstrated in Indiana basketball’s practice in front of the media on Wednesday afternoon.

Enright did not take a single rep off during the hour-long practice, playing smothering defense on the guards of the opposite colored jersey, regardless of whether they were a teammate or a staff member participating in a drill.

Enright was constantly in motion around the gym. Even during breaks from drills, his voice carried from the sidelines as he directed traffic inside Cook Hall.

The willingness to take every single rep at 100 percent intensity not only helps Enright himself, but it also pushes his teammates to get better in turn.

“Conor is going to be Conor at the end of the day,” Lamar Wilkerson said. “Whether there are 100 people here or it’s just me and him, but he’s definitely a pest.”

The irritating nature of Enright’s game does not end on defense. Before a season-ending shoulder surgery last season, Enright, who started all 23 games, was a difference-maker on offense.

Enright swiftly became one of the best passing point guards not only on his team but also in the Big East, averaging 6.2 assists per game for the Blue Demons.

Despite only appearing in 23 games, his 143 assists still ranked him among the top 10 in the conference. During his first season of power conference basketball, Enright dished out five or more assists in 16 games and had seven double-doubles.

Wednesday’s practice was the first look at Enright since the February injury and there were no signs of any restrictions ahead of his final year of eligibility.

Enright delivered plenty of high-IQ plays on Wednesday, frequently making the extra pass to set up open shots. While passing is his offensive strength, he also showed he can drive to the basket and finish strong, as well as knock down a 3-pointer.

For Darian DeVries, seeing Enright on the practice floor the past eight weeks has reminded him of one of the first times he saw him play in a summer basketball game.

“He had zero points and dominated the game,” DeVries recalled. “He was diving on the floor, taking charges, making everybody on the other team mad; he’s just one of those guys.”

Admitting that he grew up a fan of Wisconsin basketball, Enright will likely mold into a Brad Davidson role, making him a player that Indiana fans will love while getting under the skin of opposing fanbases.

Though there are still over three months from the season-opener, Darian DeVries is confident that Enight will attract Hoosier fans the first time he takes the floor at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

“He doesn’t know another way,” Darian DeVries said. “I think people are really going to enjoy watching him play.”

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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