Imagine a small-town kid rising from obscurity to become a high-flying star, ready to ignite Indiana University's basketball program back to glory—now that's the kind of story that gets your pulse racing! As college hoops season kicks off, we're shifting gears from previewing other Big Ten squads to diving deep into the 2025-26 IU Hoosiers roster with player-by-player spotlights. Today, we're spotlighting senior guard Lamar Wilkerson, whose journey might just redefine what it means to chase greatness on the hardwood. But here's where it gets controversial: Is betting on a transfer like Wilkerson the smart gamble for IU, or could it stir up debates about loyalty and team chemistry? Stick around to find out why his story has fans buzzing—and why it might spark some heated arguments in the comments.
We've already covered a lineup of IU's talented crew in this series, including Andrej Acimovic, Trent Sisley, Aleksa Ristic, Josh Harris, Jasai Miles, Nick Dorn, and Jason Drake. Now, let's turn our attention to Wilkerson, who emerged as one of the hottest commodities in last spring's transfer portal—a marketplace where college players can switch schools freely, often chasing better opportunities. For beginners wondering what that means, think of it as a high-stakes job market for athletes, where talent scouts from top programs vie to land the next big thing.
Wilkerson's path to stardom is a testament to perseverance. Hailing from the tiny town of Ashdown, Arkansas, he wasn't a highly touted recruit out of high school. Instead, he started at Three Rivers College, a community college in Poplar Bluff, Missouri—often called JUCO for short, which stands for Junior College. This is a common stepping stone for players looking to build skills and catch the eye of Division I schools. In just 27 games there, Wilkerson put up impressive numbers: averaging 16.7 points per contest and hitting 40.9 percent of his three-point attempts, which earned him honorable mention on the NJCAA All-America team. That's like being recognized as a rising star in the junior college world, and it set the stage for bigger things.
From there, he leveled up to Sam Houston State University, a Division I program. While he didn't explode onto the scene right away, he proved reliable off the bench. In 32 games as a freshman, he chipped in 7.4 points per game and connected on 41 out of 110 threes, shooting 37.3 percent—a solid start that showed his knack for long-range shooting, even if he wasn't the focal point yet.
It was as a junior that Wilkerson truly took flight, transforming into one of the elite guards in mid-major basketball. Starting 31 games for the Bearkats, he averaged 13.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and a steal per game, logging nearly 30 minutes each outing. He drained 52 of 150 threes, which not only highlighted his growing confidence but also landed him on the Conference USA first team—all-star squad. For those new to the game, think of him as a player who could score from anywhere, disrupt plays on defense, and facilitate the offense, making him a well-rounded threat.
Last season was Wilkerson's breakout year, cementing his status as a national force. He joined an elite group of just 19 players nationwide averaging 20 or more points per game, finishing with 20.5 points, four rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34.9 minutes across 32 games. His shooting was on fire: 109 out of 245 from three-point range, at a scorching 44.5 percent clip. To put that in perspective, he was one of only three Division I players to hit 100-plus threes while maintaining that high accuracy—his 109 makes ranked him 13th in the entire country. And this is the part most people miss: Such efficiency isn't just luck; it requires impeccable footwork, quick release, and a deep understanding of spacing in modern offenses.
When Wilkerson hit the transfer portal last spring, he drew interest from a who's who of programs, including powerhouse schools like Indiana and Kentucky. Despite Kentucky landing his final official visit, the Hoosiers clinched his commitment. In his own words to Field of 68, he explained why: 'It was a pleasure to be recruited by Kentucky, but I didn’t want to go to Kentucky and just be another guy, you know, that has already been to Kentucky. Hoosiers basketball is a big-time name. And they haven’t been where they wanted to be. And, I trust coach Darian DeVries, and what he’s bringing in, and the type of coach he is, and how he’s going to put us in position to win. And we could do this together, man, it’s just, it’s just gonna make my story better, his story better, and then Hoosier basketball will be back.' It's a raw, personal insight into how he weighed prestige against potential, choosing a rebuilding project over an established dynasty. But here's where it gets controversial: Was turning down Kentucky a bold move for legacy-building, or a risky one that could leave him overshadowed in Bloomington? Some might argue transfers like this prioritize individual stardom over team stability—do you think that's fair?
Wilkerson's quest to help revive IU begins soon in the iconic Assembly Hall, where he'll likely be a primary scoring weapon. We got a sneak peek during an early August exhibition trip to Puerto Rico, where IU played three games to shake off the rust. Wilkerson led the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game, while dishing out 3.7 assists and grabbing 2.7 rebounds in about 25 minutes. His standout performance came in the second half against Mega Superbet on August 9: After a slow first half with just five points, he erupted for a team-high 18, fueling a massive 70-19 run that sealed a 93-71 win. Coach DeVries captured it perfectly: 'He can just change a game in two or three possessions. He can go 0-for-4 to 4-for-8, 6-for-10, in a hurry.' For beginners, this means Wilkerson has that rare ability to flip a game's momentum almost instantly, like a basketball wizard weaving spells on the court.
In IU's expected fast-paced offense, loaded with three-point attempts, Wilkerson will be front and center. He excels at moving without the ball—slipping screens to get open looks—and uses his 6-foot-6 frame to shoot over defenders. His quick release means he doesn't need much space, making him tough to guard. Paired with Tucker DeVries, IU could boast one of the nation's top shooting tandems, not just in the Big Ten but everywhere. In short, Wilkerson is poised to start and play a starring role. He knows how to exploit screens for openings, create his own shot off the dribble, and shine with mid-range jumpers or floaters. When he's on fire, his three-point barrage can shift games in a heartbeat.
As Wilkerson himself reflected to Field of 68 after committing to IU: 'Small town dude, you know, I had a different chip on my shoulder. Nothing was ever handed to me from out of high school. I went JUCO, out of JUCO I went D1 and now we’re here. So I’ve never had anything handed to me. And early in my life, my parents, my mom, my sisters, my siblings, they all showed me what hard work and dedication was. So it stuck with me. And, you know, you only get in what you put out.' It's a powerful reminder of his grind-from-the-bottom ethos.
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
But let's stir the pot a bit: With transfers increasingly common, does this era of player movement dilute the 'college experience,' where loyalty to one school used to define careers? Or is it empowering athletes to chase championships? And for IU fans, do you believe Wilkerson's arrival will spark a renaissance, or might his reliance on shooting leave him vulnerable in tougher defenses? Share your thoughts below—we'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a counterpoint. What do you think makes or breaks a transfer's success? Dive into the conversation!
See More: Commentary, 2025-26 season preview, Lamar Wilkerson
