Breaking news: Following a historic season, here’s a list of all the Indiana Hoosiers who won’t be returning in 2025.

Graduated Players:

• Xavier Johnson (Guard): A senior from Woodbridge, Virginia, Johnson was a pivotal player for the Hoosiers, known for his leadership and playmaking abilities.His graduation leaves a notable gap in the backcourt that the team will need to address.
• Anthony Walker (Forward): Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Walker’s presence in the frontcourt was significant, especially in providing depth and experience.With his departure, the Hoosiers lose a versatile forward who contributed on both ends of the floor.

NBA Draft Declaration:

• Kel’el Ware (Center): The sophomore from North Little Rock, Arkansas, declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, aiming to take his talents to the professional level.Ware’s decision to leave creates a void in the center position, necessitating strategic adjustments for the upcoming season.citeturn0search

Transferred Players:

• Kaleb Banks (Forward): Banks, a sophomore from Hampton, Georgia, transferred to Tulane. His departure impacts the team’s depth at the forward position, as he was expected to play a more significant role in the upcoming season.citeturn0search
• CJ Gunn (Guard): The Indianapolis native and sophomore guard transferred to DePaul.Gunn’s exit affects the Hoosiers’ perimeter shooting and guard rotation, areas that will need reinforcement. citeturn0search
• Payton Sparks (Center): Sparks, a junior from Winchester, Indiana, transferred to Ball State.His transfer further depletes the Hoosiers’ options at the center position, following Ware’s NBA draft declaration. citeturn0search

Implications for the Hoosiers:

The departure of these players signifies a period of transition for Indiana.The loss of experienced guards like Johnson and Gunn, along with the exit of key frontcourt players such as Ware and Walker, presents challenges in terms of leadership, scoring, and defensive presence.

To address these gaps, the Hoosiers have been active in the transfer portal, securing commitments from several notable players:

• Myles Rice (Guard): Transferring from Washington State, Rice was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, averaging 14.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.His addition aims to bolster the backcourt and provide immediate scoring and playmaking capabilities.citeturn0search
• Oumar Ballo (Center): Coming from Arizona, Ballo is considered a top transfer.With a career field goal percentage of 64.6%, he is expected to fill the void left by departing centers and provide a strong presence in the paint.citeturn0search
• Kanaan Carlyle (Guard): A transfer from Stanford, Carlyle averaged 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his freshman year.His versatility and scoring ability will be valuable assets to the Hoosiers’ backcourt.citeturn0search
• Luke Goode (Forward): An Indiana native transferring from Illinois, Goode brings experience and a career 3-point shooting average of 38.8%.His shooting prowess will help address the team’s perimeter scoring needs.citeturn0search
• Langdon Hatton (Forward): Transferring from Bellarmine, Hatton adds depth to the frontcourt.His size and skill set will be beneficial in maintaining the team’s interior presence.citeturn0search

These incoming transfers, combined with returning players like Trey Galloway and Mackenzie Mgbako, provide a foundation for the Hoosiers to build upon.The coaching staff, led by Mike Woodson, will focus on integrating these new additions, developing team chemistry, and addressing areas such as three-point shooting and defensive consistency.

The upcoming season presents an opportunity for Indiana to redefine its identity and strive for success in the competitive Big Ten Conference.The effectiveness of the new roster and the strategies implemented by the coaching staff will be critical in determining the Hoosiers’ performance in the 2024-2025 season.