Trent Sisley is the lone returning scholarship player for IU basketball for the 2026-27 season.
The Southern Indiana native played in 30 games last season for the Hoosiers and averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game.
The 6-foot-8 was one of three Hoosiers to talk to the media last Thursday following a practice at Cook Hall.
Here’s a full transcript of Sisley’s comments from Thursday’s media session in the locker room at Assembly Hall:
On the role the staff is looking for him to take on next season in terms of playing the three or the four:
“Yeah, I think it’s interchangeable whenever. Obviously, we have a bigger lineup this year at the four and five. So if those guys come out, maybe come in a little bit at the four and then obviously maybe a little bit at the three too. So really, whatever they ask me, I’ll be ready.”
On whether he’s being vocal this season as the only returning player:
“I think I have to, because I was the only one here, so I kind of know offensively, defensively, what we’re trying to do on a lot of stuff. So just if people have questions, they’ll come to me, and then I’ll try to go help people out if I see some stuff on the court that’s going on. And I was the only one, so I’m trying to talk as much as I can.”
On the biggest thing he learned from last season:
“Yeah, I think, obviously, up and down as the freshman season, I think that’s what happens to a lot of people. So I didn’t change my attitude or anything, just stayed ready. And then, obviously, my role went down a little bit towards the end of the season, but I didn’t let it bother me. Obviously, you want to play.
“But just coming back in the offseason, having the same work ethic, and then just being ready to go this summer, and then, obviously, going into the season.”
On the biggest thing he’s worked on since the end of last season:
“I think just my body. I’m in the weight room and on the court, my shot and then my quickness a little bit for defense.”
On whether the strength was part of the reason for his up-and-down minutes last season:
“Yeah, probably, I would say, defensively. Obviously, I was lacking a little bit last year, and then just strength-wise, stuff like that, maybe inexperience. So just trying to, obviously, have a little bit more experience to go into this year, so I think that would be huge for me.”
On differences between this offseason and last as a returning player:
“I think you’re just more comfortable doing stuff, especially me, because I’ve been here for a year now. I’m just more comfortable doing what coach wants. I know what coach wants, stuff like that. So I’m just able to do what he wants and then I think it helps me as a player because I’m not as indecisive and stuff like that.”
On what the team can get out of the upcoming trip to Peru:
“I think just a lot of game time. I don’t know the exact amount of games we play, but I think it’s four, five, six, something like that. So just a lot of the game time, all the extra practice time we get this summer, I think all that’s huge for us, just to be together as a team, and then traveling in the summer too, it’ll be fun for us.”
On the advice he’s given the incoming freshman:
“Just stay aggressive. Just keep doing what you do. Like I said earlier, my role was kind of up and down last year. Just stay ready to play every single day, do what you do and stay ready all the time.”
On getting to know his new teammates:
“It’s been good in the locker room. On the visits, you kind of get to know them at dinner and stuff like that. I trust coach, the guys he’s bringing in. So they’ve been all super cool, super funny in the locker room, starting to hang out with them off the court a little bit more, stuff like that.”
On how Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu can help in terms of winning more next season:
“It helps us on both sides of the ball. I think that’s no secret. They’re both big, they both can guard. At the four or the five, both of them, you can post them both up. They’re both really good and really willing passers. Aiden can stretch the floor and knock down three balls, stuff like that.
“So I think they’re just really versatile and help us on both sides of the floor.”
On what has stood out with Markus Burton:
“I think just his quickness, his twitchiness on the dribble, stuff like that. He’s super good at ball screens, mid-range game, all that type of stuff. Really good passer.”
On what has stood out with Darren Harris:
“He comes from winning, I think he wants to continue that. He’s been really good for us so far and made a lot of shots. And he’s sneaky good on defense, too.”
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
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