Inside the Hall was in attendance for IU basketball’s practice on Thursday afternoon at Cook Hall.
The Hoosiers are preparing for a late July trip to Peru for the FISU America Games. The 2026-27 IU roster will represent the United States in the event.
Additional details and streaming information for the FISU America Games will be announced in the coming weeks.
Here are some player observations from Thursday afternoon:
Markus Burton – The former Notre Dame point guard doesn’t need much room to operate, nor will his opponent dictate his pace. He’s quick and confident in his decision-making. If he’s given space to get to the rim, he will take it. He’s also comfortable operating in the mid-range and is a willing facilitator for his teammates. Burton was a key addition for the IU staff out of the portal and he appeared fully healthy on Thursday.
Prince-Alexander Moody – The first commitment for the Hoosiers in the class of 2026, Moody is confident in his shot, talks a lot on the floor and is the most physically developed of the freshmen. He has the tools to develop into a solid defender and doesn’t hesitate when open to take a shot and his release looks good. Moody seems to be adjusting well just a few weeks into practice.
Jaeden Mustaf – The former Georgia Tech wing is very good at probing the defense off the dribble. His ability to attack the rim and draw fouls should be a real asset for Indiana. Mustaf won’t be a focal point offensively for the Hoosiers, but he’s a veteran who knows how to use his body to get into the paint and score. He also knocked down a few perimeter shots in live drills. His 3-point volume wasn’t high last season but he did shoot in the high 30s from a percentage standpoint.
Darren Harris – The first thing that stands out with Harris is how efficient his release is. When Harris catches the ball, it doesn’t take him long to get the ball up and out of his shooting pocket. Opportunity shouldn’t be a problem for Harris next year, who was a top-40 recruit out of high school that could never fully break into the rotation at Duke. Indiana will be counting on him to provide perimeter shooting and the early returns look positive. He can also make mid-range shots off the dribble.
Trevor Manhertz – It was well known that Manhertz would need time to work on his body upon his arrival in Bloomington. That objective is still a work in progress, though he is beginning to make strides and gain weight. The best tool in his game is his perimeter shot and his left-handed release is smooth and efficient. At 6-foot-8, it’s not hard to see why Manhertz was considered a top 75 prospect out of high school.
Trent Sisley – The Southern Indiana native, who fell out of the rotation late last season as a freshman, looks to have added bulk to his upper body since the end of the season. Sisley is playing with confidence, welcomes physicality and as Darian DeVries said in his early May media availability, will be better next season with a valuable year of experience under his belt.
Samet Yigitoglu – The SMU transfer is massive and moves well for a 7-foot-2, 280-pound player. He also didn’t operate exclusively on the post and even knocked down a few 3-pointers during live drills. When Yigitoglu sets a screen, the defender cannot get around it. He should be an excellent rebounder on both ends and working against Sherrell every day in practice should only benefit him.
Aiden Sherrell – It’s easy to see why Sherrell was a priority for the IU coaching staff. Pairing him with Burton in ball screen situations will bear plenty of fruit for the Hoosiers next season. Sherrell can finish lobs, and he can also pop out to the perimeter and knock down 3-pointers. Sherrell didn’t want to play the five exclusively and he won’t next season in Bloomington because he’ll be paired with Yigitoglu. He can stretch the floor, block shots and has excellent agility for a big man. NBA scouts will be keeping a close eye on him next season.
Vaughn Karvala – Like Manhertz, it will take time for Karvala to get his body to be Big Ten ready. But he’ll have that time as a freshman. He also knocked down a solid percentage of his perimeter looks in Thursday’s practice. Karvala has explosiveness, good size and length.
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
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