Indiana Basketball Heads to Peru for FISU America Games with a Completely Rebuilt Roster

Indiana basketball is heading south this summer, but this is far more than a routine overseas trip. The Hoosiers will represent the United States at the 2026 FISU America Games in Lima, Peru, giving head coach Darian DeVries and his rebuilt roster a rare chance to grow together before the regular season begins.

Indiana enters the summer facing one of the biggest roster transitions in college basketball. The trip to Peru offers something every new team needs: real games, extra practice time, and a chance to build trust before the pressure of the season arrives.

A Different Kind of Summer Opportunity

@indianambb / Instagram / Indiana traveled to Puerto Rico last year, but this trip carries much more weight. The Hoosiers are representing Team USA in an official international competition.

That distinction changes everything. The FISU America Games, scheduled from July 20 through August 1, will bring together university teams from across the Americas. Indiana will compete in a tournament environment where every game matters.

The experience mirrors Baylor’s participation in the FISU World University Games last season, where the Bears earned a silver medal while representing the United States.

For DeVries, the event creates a meaningful challenge. Players will face unfamiliar opponents, different styles of play, and the responsibility that comes with wearing USA across their jerseys. Those moments often reveal strengths and weaknesses much faster than ordinary summer workouts.

The tournament should also add roughly six games to Indiana’s summer calendar. That extra game action gives coaches valuable film and provides players with opportunities to learn through competition instead of practice alone.

Its a Brand-new Team!

Few programs in the country have undergone a transformation as dramatic as Indiana’s.

Only one scholarship player returns from last season’s roster, sophomore forward Trent Sisley. Nearly everyone else is new. That reality makes chemistry the biggest question facing the Hoosiers entering the 2026-27 campaign.

DeVries attacked the transfer portal aggressively to reshape the roster. Indiana landed a transfer class ranked fourth nationally, bringing in proven talent from major programs across the country. Instead of relying on potential alone, the coaching staff targeted players who have already succeeded at the highest levels of college basketball.

The headline addition is Markus Burton from Notre Dame. Burton emerged as one of the nation’s most dangerous scorers and led the ACC in scoring during his sophomore season. His ability to create offense instantly gives Indiana a centerpiece around which the rest of the roster can develop.

The frontcourt received a major boost with Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell. Known for protecting the rim, Sherrell led the SEC in blocked shots and adds much-needed size and defensive presence.

The roster overhaul continues with Bryce Lindsey from Villanova, Jaeden Mustaf from Georgia Tech, Samet Yigitoglu from SMU, and Darren Harris from Duke. Each arrives with experience against elite competition and brings different strengths to the lineup.

Indiana also welcomes freshmen Vaughn Karvala, Trevor Manhertz, and Prince Alexander Moody. Their development will be important, but the veteran transfers are expected to provide the foundation immediately.

Extra Practice Time Could Be the Real Advantage

@indianambb / Instagram / Because Indiana is participating in an official tournament, NCAA rules allow the program additional summer practice opportunities.

Those extra hours are incredibly valuable for a team learning new systems and new roles.

DeVries has spoken openly about how different this experience will be compared to a standard foreign tour. Traditional summer trips often move quickly, leaving limited time for detailed instruction. The FISU format creates much more flexibility.

That means more film sessions. It means more individual skill work. It means more team practices focused on teaching concepts rather than simply preparing for the next exhibition game.

For a roster assembled from multiple schools and playing backgrounds, those sessions could prove just as important as the games in Peru. Players will gain a deeper understanding of what DeVries expects on both ends of the floor.