Three thoughts on the potential return of Sam Alexis to IU basketball

Photos from IU basketball's win against Wisconsin.

IU basketball may have received a significant boost to its frontcourt rotation with news over the weekend that Sam Alexis plans to return for the 2026-27 season.

Alexis, a 6-foot-9 forward, was granted a preliminary injunction on Friday and is currently eligible to play next season.

Here are three thoughts on the potential return of Alexis and what it could mean for the Hoosiers next season:

If the ruling sticks, IU’s frontcourt is solidified on paper

The NCAA will undoubtedly try to challenge the rulings, which have granted an additional season of eligibility to those who entered college in the 2022-23 season.

If the NCAA is successful, Alexis won’t be on the roster, but it could take time to sort everything out.

If the additional season of eligibility sticks, however, IU’s frontcourt is in far better shape for the 2026-27 campaign, the second for Darian DeVries in Bloomington.

The Hoosiers added Aiden Sherrell (Alabama) and Samet Yigitoglu (SMU) from the transfer portal, but lacked proven depth behind that duo.

Trent Sisley will be counted on to play a bigger role at the four, but there was no proven backup big man on the roster. The Hoosiers did sign German big man Clemens Sokolov, but he hasn’t arrived on campus yet and isn’t expected to play a major role next season.

If Alexis can play, the Hoosiers now have a big man with high-major talent, experience in the system and the ability to play the four or the five.

Alexis is efficient, productive and a solid addition to the roster

Not only does Alexis provide quality depth, but he’s also a proven producer at the Big Ten level.

IU asked a lot from Alexis last season and for the most part, he delivered.

In 32 games for the Hoosiers last season – 23 starts – the Apopka, Florida, native averaged 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocked shots and 1.2 assists in 21.3 minutes per game.

He shot 68.7 percent from the field, a program record for a player with more than 100 made field goals in a season, and 72.5 percent from the free-throw line. Alexis appeared in every game for IU last season after battling injuries at Florida during the 2024-25 season.

Alexis had 50 dunks for the Hoosiers last season, leading the team, and scored in double figures in 13 games.

At this stage of the offseason, adding a player with the talent, experience and proven production of Alexis gives the Hoosiers a significant boost heading into the fall. By playing with the Hoosiers last month in the FISU America Games in Peru, Alexis already got a head start on building chemistry with the new roster in Bloomington.

Having quality depth is critical for navigating a college basketball season

You can never have too much depth in college basketball, particularly at point guard and center.

Indiana has the point guard depth in a good spot with Markus Burton, Bryce Lindsay and Prince-Alexander Moody.

Burton is the starter, but Lindsay and Moody appear to be capable backups that will at least log some minutes at the point.

Before the Alexis news broke, it was a legitimate question about how the Hoosiers would handle backup minutes at the five.

Sherrell is the projected starter at the four and was likely going to have to shift over to the five when Yigitoglu went to the bench.

If Alexis can play, he’s a proven contributor who can play both the four and the five. If Yigitoglu goes to the bench, Alexis can play alongside Sherrell. When Sherrell goes to the bench, he can slide in at the four alongside Yigitoglu.

Injuries and illness are also part of every college basketball season and having another proven frontcourt player on the roster provides insurance if health becomes an issue at some point.

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