Indiana’s Backcourt Set to Get a Boost as Freshman Aleksa Ristic Nears Return
There’s good news brewing in Bloomington, and it’s coming from the Indiana men’s basketball backcourt. Freshman guard Aleksa Ristic, sidelined since September with a lower-body injury, is inching closer to making his season debut. Head coach Darian DeVries shared the update Monday night during his appearance on the Inside IU Basketball radio show, and it sounds like the Hoosiers could soon be adding a much-needed piece to their rotation.
“He’s getting closer and closer, so we’re excited about that,” DeVries said. “He gives you another ball handler, another decision maker, another guy that really understands what we’re trying to do.”
That last part-understanding the game-is something DeVries emphasized more than once. And when a coach keeps coming back to basketball IQ, it’s usually a sign that the player brings more than just athleticism to the table.
Ristic, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard from Niš, Serbia, has yet to log a minute in a regular season game, but he’s already left an impression. He participated in Indiana’s three-game exhibition tour in Puerto Rico back in August, where he averaged 4.3 points, 3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game.
He shot 6-of-13 from the field and connected on one of his four three-point attempts. Modest numbers, sure, but the tape showed a guard who plays under control, sees the floor well, and can operate both on and off the ball.
That versatility is what caught the Hoosiers’ attention in the first place. Indiana had just 11 scholarship players before Ristic committed in June and officially signed in July. Though he didn’t arrive on campus until July 31, he quickly found his way into the mix during the team’s overseas trip.
Unfortunately, his momentum was halted not long after. DeVries said Ristic only got in a few practices before suffering a left foot injury shortly after returning from Puerto Rico.
It’s been a slow road back, but there was a notable step forward on November 29 when Ristic joined the team for pregame warmups ahead of Indiana’s blowout win over Bethune-Cookman. He was still listed as unavailable, but his presence on the floor was a clear sign of progress.
“He has a great understanding of the game,” DeVries said. “That’s what’s been very impressive-being on the sideline and having to pick stuff up, whether it’s our playbook or opponent’s playbooks. Incredible understanding of what teams are trying to do.”
That kind of mental preparation matters, especially for a young player who’s been forced to watch from the sidelines. It’s one thing to rehab an injury; it’s another to stay mentally locked in and absorb the nuances of the college game without live reps. Ristic seems to be doing both.
He’s not the only Hoosier working his way back. Junior guard Jason Drake and sophomore forward Josh Harris are also recovering from injuries. Like Ristic, Drake suited up for warmups against Bethune-Cookman, while Harris-still wearing a boot on his right foot-remains further away from returning.
With Big Ten play set to tip off Wednesday night in Minneapolis against Minnesota, the timing of Ristic’s return could be significant. Indiana, ranked No. 22 and sitting at 7-0, is off to a strong start but will need depth and steady guard play as the season grinds into conference play. Ristic might not be a headline name just yet, but if his feel for the game is as sharp as advertised, he could quietly become a difference-maker in the Hoosiers’ rotation.
For now, Indiana fans can take comfort in knowing reinforcements are on the way-and one of them might be arriving with a high basketball IQ and a steady hand just in time.