Darian DeVries has spent the offseason reshaping Indiana through the transfer portal, and Darren Harris looks like one of the most intriguing pieces in the mix.
DeVries landed seven transfers in all, and six of them arrive with multiple years of high-major experience. That gives Indiana a roster with plenty of new faces who can help right away, but Harris stands out as a player who could take a real leap if the opportunity matches the talent.
A Duke transfer guard, Harris came to Bloomington in April after Indiana beat Ryan Odom and Virginia for his commitment. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound junior was once a top-40 recruit in the 2024 class, but he never found steady footing in Durham.
Across two seasons with the Blue Devils, Harris played in 57 games and never started, averaging 8.3 minutes a night. He finished with 2.8 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game while shooting 36.4% from the field and 30.8% from three.
The scoring touch has always been the draw. Harris came out of high school with a reputation as one of the country’s best shooters, but the crowded Duke rotations kept him from ever settling in. Indiana is banking on a different outcome.
That process is already underway this month, with Indiana representing Team USA in the FISU America Games. Harris has gotten a chance to show what he can do early, and he’s taken advantage of it.
In the opener against Canada’s Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, he hit 3 of 7 from beyond the arc. Then on Saturday against Chile, he put together his most complete showing yet, finishing with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists as Indiana rolled to a 107-40 win.
That kind of all-around line is exactly what the Hoosiers want to see from him once the season starts. His shooting should also fit cleanly into DeVries’ offense, giving Indiana another perimeter weapon to stretch defenses.
DeVries has already made it clear he likes what he sees. After the win over Chile, he said, "He's one of those guys when he gets on a heater, it's special," DeVries said to the media.
How Indiana uses Harris early will be worth watching. He appears to be in the mix for a starting wing spot, and the path to steady minutes looks much clearer than it ever did at Duke. If that playing time comes, Harris has a chance to turn this season into the breakout people have been waiting for.
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