Darian DeVries, the new head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, has officially hit the recruiting trail for the first time since taking over the program. DeVries, who was hired in March to replace Archie Miller, is wasting no time in building relationships with top prospects and selling them on his vision for the Hoosiers.
DeVries’ first stop on the recruiting trail was the Nike EYBL event in Indianapolis, where he watched several top prospects in action. Among the players he evaluated were 5-star point guard, Jalen Haralson, and 4-star small forward, Kaleb Glenn.
“I’m excited to get out on the road and start building relationships with these young men,” DeVries said. “We’re looking for players who fit our system and our culture, and I think we’ve got a great chance to attract some top talent to Indiana.”
DeVries’ recruiting philosophy is centered around building strong relationships with prospects and their families. He believes that by taking the time to get to know each player as an individual, he can build trust and establish a connection that will help him land top talent.
“I think the key to recruiting is building relationships,” DeVries said. “It’s not just about selling the player on the program, it’s about getting to know them as a person and understanding what they’re looking for in a college experience. When you can build that trust and establish a connection, I think you’ve got a much better chance of landing the player.”
DeVries’ first recruiting class at Indiana will be crucial in setting the tone for his tenure as head coach. The Hoosiers have several scholarships available, and DeVries is looking to fill those spots with players who can make an immediate impact on the program.
“We’re looking for players who can come in and contribute right away,” DeVries said. “We’ve got a strong core of returning players, but we need to add some depth and talent to the roster. I’m confident that we can attract the right players to Indiana and build a team that can compete at a high level.”
DeVries’ recruiting efforts will continue throughout the summer, as he travels to various camps and events to evaluate top prospects. He’s also expected to host several recruits on official visits to Indiana, where he’ll have the opportunity to showcase the program’s facilities and sell them on his vision for the Hoosiers.
As DeVries navigates the recruiting trail for the first time as Indiana’s head coach, he’s aware of the challenges that come with recruiting at a high level. However, he’s confident in his ability to attract top talent to Indiana and build a program that can compete with the best in the country.
“I know it’s not going to be easy,” DeVries said. “Recruiting is a competitive process, and there are a lot of great programs out there. But I believe in what we’re building at Indiana, and I’m confident that we can attract the right players to help us achieve our goals.”