Darian DeVries didn't come to Bloomington to play it safe. You can see that in the roster he built for this 2025-26 season. It’s a group defined by floor spacing, "dogs" on defense, and—perhaps most interestingly—a massive bet on a sophomore from the ASUN named Josh Harris.
Most fans looking at the josh harris transfer indiana basketball situation last April were asking the same thing: Who?
He wasn't a five-star recruit. He wasn't a household name from a Power 4 program. But if you dig into the numbers, you realize why the IU coaching staff practically locked the doors until he committed during his official visit. They saw a 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward who did something as a freshman that literally no one else in Division I men's basketball did last year.
Josh Harris was the only freshman in the country to post at least 400 points and 200 rebounds while shooting better than 55% from the floor. That’s not just "good for a mid-major." That’s elite efficiency in any zip code.
Why the Josh Harris Transfer Indiana Basketball Move Changed the Frontcourt
When Mike Woodson's era ended, Indiana's frontcourt was basically a construction site. DeVries needed guys who could rebound without needing a ladder and score without demanding twenty post-touches a game. Harris fit that "simplified approach" perfectly.
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During his lone season at North Florida, Harris averaged 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. He wasn't just bullying smaller players in the Atlantic Sun, either. He went into Atlanta and dropped 22 points on Georgia Tech. He snagged 14 boards against Warner. The kid has a "motor" that IU fans haven't seen in the paint for a while.
Honestly, he’s a bit of a throwback. He doesn’t waste time with long, inefficient twos. About 62% of his shots come right at the rim. If he gets his right hand on the ball in the paint, it’s usually over.
The North Florida Connection
It’s worth noting that Harris didn’t come alone. He arrived alongside Jasai Miles, his teammate from the Ospreys. Having that existing chemistry in a locker room full of transfers is huge. DeVries basically imported the heart of a high-tempo, 82-point-per-game offense and told them to bring that same energy to Assembly Hall.
The Injury Hurdle: What’s the Current Status?
If you’ve been following the team through the fall of 2025, you know things haven’t been perfect. Just as the hype was building, Harris went down with a lower-body injury in late September.
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He was spotted in a gray walking boot during open practices. He missed the Cream and Crimson scrimmage. He missed the start of the season. For a while, the "severity unknown" tag was driving the message boards crazy.
However, the latest word from Darian DeVries as of late December 2025 is much more optimistic. During his radio show, the coach confirmed that Harris is "getting closer and closer." He’s progressed to the point where he’s out of the boot and sitting on the bench during games, though he hasn't suited up for Big Ten play just yet.
How Indiana is surviving without him
Without Harris in the rotation, the frontcourt depth has been a bit thin. IU has leaned heavily on:
- Reed Bailey: The 6-foot-10 Davidson transfer who has been the anchor.
- Sam Alexis: The Florida transfer who brings the bulk.
- Trent Sisley: The highly touted freshman who has had to play more minutes than perhaps originally planned.
What to Expect When Harris Returns
When Harris finally gets the green light—likely during the meat of the Big Ten schedule in early 2026—he isn't going to be the primary scoring option. Tucker DeVries and Reed Bailey have that covered.
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But Harris brings "physicality" that this roster lacks when the bigs get into foul trouble. He’s a specialist in what the staff calls "keeping the ball hot." He makes quick decisions, crashes the offensive glass (his 13% offensive rebounding rate was top-75 nationally), and plays with a chip on his shoulder.
He’s even heard the whispers about being "undersized" for a Big Ten power forward at 6-foot-8. His response? "Height can’t beat toughness or heart." That’s exactly the kind of quote that makes him a fan favorite in Bloomington before he even plays a real minute.
The Long-Term Play
The most underrated part of the josh harris transfer indiana basketball story is his eligibility. Most portal additions these days are "one-and-done" graduate transfers. Harris is a sophomore. Indiana has him for three potential seasons. In an era where rosters turn over every twelve months, having a foundational piece like Harris to grow alongside the younger guys is a massive win for the future of the program.
Actionable Insights for IU Fans
If you’re tracking Harris’s impact this season, watch these three things specifically when he returns to the court:
- The Second-Chance Points: Watch if IU’s offensive rebounding numbers spike when he’s on the floor. He has a knack for "putbacks" that keeps possessions alive.
- Defensive Versatility: North Florida played a chaotic, high-speed style that didn't favor defensive metrics. Under DeVries, see if Harris can use his lateral quickness to guard the perimeter on switches.
- The "Right Hand" Factor: As Sam Alexis noted, Harris is lethal when he gets to his right. Big Ten scouts will know this. The test will be whether he’s developed a counter-move during his time off.
The road to recovery is almost over. Once Harris is back, the "undersized" Hoosier frontcourt gets a lot more dangerous and a whole lot tougher.