The Indiana Hoosiers have updated their list of three players injured due to a grueling practice session in preparation for the upcoming game. Coach Darian DeVries shared his heartbreak.
In a somber press conference outside Assembly Hall, Indiana men’s basketball head coach Darian DeVries confirmed that three key Hoosiers suffered injuries during an intense, high-contact practice drill aimed at sharpening the team’s defensive rotations and transition offense ahead of a critical Big Ten matchup. The announcement has sent ripples through the fanbase in Bloomington and across the Midwest, where expectations for a strong season under the first-year coach remain sky-high despite the early-season challenges.
DeVries, the former West Virginia and Drake leader known for his player-development focus and gritty style, did not hold back when addressing the media. “This one hurts,” he said, his voice cracking slightly as he adjusted his IU-branded cap. “These kids pour everything into this program. They fight through exhaustion, they buy into the system, and then something like this happens in a practice that’s supposed to make us better. It’s heartbreaking to see them sidelined when they’re giving so much.”
The three players—sophomore forward Josh Harris, freshman guard Aleksa Ristic, and junior guard Jason Drake—were all participating in a full-speed scrimmage when the incidents occurred. Sources close to the program describe the session as particularly physical, with DeVries pushing the squad to simulate late-game pressure scenarios against ranked opponents. Harris, who had been wearing a protective boot earlier in the fall after a prior lower-body issue, reaggravated his right foot during a hard drive to the basket. Ristic, the highly touted international signee adjusting to the college pace, twisted his ankle awkwardly while contesting a shot in transition.
Drake, a versatile perimeter defender expected to provide scoring punch off the bench, came down awkwardly after a rebound battle and immediately clutched his lower leg.
Team trainers rushed to the court as the practice halted. DeVries called an end to the session immediately, prioritizing player safety over continuing the drill. Initial evaluations pointed to sprains and strains severe enough to require imaging and extended rest. While the exact timelines remain fluid—pending further medical review—the updated list now places all three in “week-to-week” status with no firm return date before the upcoming contest.
“This isn’t about blame,” DeVries emphasized. “Practices are where growth happens, where toughness is built. But when you see young men you’ve recruited, coached, and cared about limping off the floor, it hits you right here,” he said, tapping his chest. “I feel for their families, for their teammates who now have to step up, and for these guys who wanted nothing more than to contribute when it matters most.”
The injuries compound an already taxing stretch for the Hoosiers. Since DeVries took over the storied program in March 2025, the team has navigated roster turnover, the integration of transfers and freshmen, and the relentless demands of Big Ten play. Depth has been a recurring theme, with earlier reports noting multiple players sidelined during preseason open practices. DeVries has often joked about “investing in boots” given the frequency of lower-body ailments, but the tone on this day was far more serious.
Fans in Indiana have grown accustomed to high-stakes basketball under legends like Bob Knight and Mike Woodson, and the passionate Hoosier faithful have rallied behind DeVries’ no-nonsense approach. Yet this news tests that loyalty. Message boards and social media lit up with concern, speculation about load management, and calls for adjusted practice intensity. Some supporters pointed to the physical nature of DeVries’ schemes—emphasizing man-to-man defense and relentless rebounding—as a double-edged sword: building resilience but risking wear-and-tear.
DeVries acknowledged the scrutiny. “I get it. People want wins, they want health, they want entertainment. We’re chasing all three. But player safety is non-negotiable. We’ll adjust, we’ll protect these guys, and we’ll keep pushing forward because that’s what Indiana basketball does.”
For the upcoming game, the Hoosiers will lean heavily on returning contributors and emerging role players. Veterans in the backcourt and frontcourt will see increased minutes, while younger reserves get opportunities to prove themselves. DeVries highlighted the team’s chemistry as a strength: “These guys care about each other. They’ll rally. That’s the culture we’re building—one where no one feels sorry for themselves, but we all feel for our brothers who are hurting.”
The coach also addressed long-term implications. With roster limits and scholarship constraints in the modern college landscape, adding immediate help isn’t straightforward. “We’re working with what we have, developing the depth we do have, and trusting the medical staff to get these three back as soon as possible,” he said.
As the Hoosiers prepare for their next test, the program faces a moment of truth. Injuries are part of sports, but the emotional toll on a coach who wears his heart on his sleeve was evident. DeVries concluded by looking directly into the cameras: “To our fans—thank you for the support. To our injured players— we’re with you every step. And to this team—let’s honor them by playing with the fire they bring every day.”
In Bloomington, where basketball is religion, heartbreak in practice only fuels the resolve. The Hoosiers will take the court short-handed but not defeated, carrying the weight of their fallen teammates and the unyielding expectations of a state that lives and breathes crimson and cream.
