With an entirely new-look roster this season, building chemistry hasn’t just been a priority for Indiana Basketball—it’s been a necessity. Over the past two months, head coach Darian DeVries has been hard at work fostering connection among the Hoosiers, both on and off the court. While there’s still progress to be made, the early signs are promising. The team is adapting quickly, showing signs of cohesion and energy that suggest the foundation for strong chemistry is already taking shape.
Now, that chemistry gets a chance to be tested. From August 5th to August 12th, Indiana is set to play three exhibition games in Puerto Rico. It’s more than just basketball—it’s a proving ground for how well this new group can come together under pressure. If last week’s open practice was any indication, the Hoosiers are ready. The energy was electric, the camaraderie was real, and the team flowed like they’ve been playing together far longer than just a few months.
Indiana isn’t just heading to Puerto Rico to sharpen their plays—they’re going to deepen their connections. Whether it’s through competition or shared off-court experiences, the trip is an opportunity to turn a group of individuals into a true team.
“I think personally, I just want to bond with my teammates,” guard Conor Enright said about the trip. “I think the more we can hang out, whether it’s getting dinner [or] doing touristy stuff or whatever, I think the more we can come together off the court, the better we’ll be on the court.”
After last week’s open practice, I had the chance to talk with several Hoosiers, and one theme was clear: these guys are genuinely excited to head to Puerto Rico—not just for the games, but for the chance to grow even closer as a unit. Conor Enright and his teammates expressed how much they’re looking forward to bonding off the court, whether it’s through shared meals, sightseeing, or just spending quality time together. To them, strengthening their connection away from basketball is just as important as anything that happens between the lines.
And truthfully, the chemistry is already showing. Even before the team boards the plane to Puerto Rico, it’s clear the Hoosiers have built something special. Over the last couple of months, their relationships have grown deeper, rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision for the season ahead.
Take Lamar Wilkerson and Tayton Conerway, for example. What started as a coincidence has turned into an unshakable bond.
“So, I went down to Dallas to train before I came up here and he [Tayton] was from there,” Wilkerson shared. “I committed, he committed, and then our agents put us together. And ever since then, peanut butter and jelly. Everywhere he go, I go. Everywhere I go, he go. He’s a great dude, great person. Very fun to watch.”
Wilkerson’s words reflect more than just a friendship—they reveal a level of trust and connection that could become one of this team’s biggest strengths.
Funny enough, Dallas wasn’t the first time Tayton Conerway and Lamar Wilkerson crossed paths. Their initial encounter came more than a year earlier on November 20, 2023, when Tayton’s Troy Trojans faced off against Lamar’s Sam Houston squad. Troy jumped out to a 16-point lead, but Lamar caught fire, dropping 25 points and leading a thrilling comeback win in overtime. No bad blood came from it—instead, it’s now the source of playful banter between two teammates who have quickly become close.
“Man, that’s my guy,” Conerway said, reflecting on his relationship with Wilkerson. “I do a lot of things for him [Lamar], and I know he do a lot of things for me, and just how fast it all happened… dealing with the whole NIL, dealing with the whole recruitment, like the calls from the coaches, calls from the agents. Just having somebody there who’s going through it with you, so y’all can kind of talk to each other and figure each other out and everything. So, we kind of got thrown into the fire together. I wouldn’t pick too many other people to go into it with, and he’s just been a great dude. He’s looked out for me in ways that a lot of people haven’t.”
That level of connection isn’t just personal—it’s foundational for the entire team. Tayton and Lamar represent the kind of bond Indiana hopes will elevate them in tight matchups and high-pressure moments. Chemistry is building fast within this group, and it’s being fueled in part by natural leaders stepping up and guiding others along the way.
During the 30 minutes of post-practice access, it quickly became clear which players are emerging as those vocal, steadying presences—and their impact is already shaping the culture of this team.
“Tayton has definitely grown over these last eight weeks,” Enright said. “Obviously with the new guys you’re still figuring out what to expect and what to do, so it’s hard to lead guys too. But as we’ve gone on, he’s definitely picked up that role for sure.”
Lamar Wilkerson has also taken notice. He pointed to a few familiar faces as early tone-setters—especially those who’ve played under Coach DeVries before, like Enright and Tucker DeVries. Their experience with the system and expectations has given the team steady hands to lean on during the transition.
“Just having that familiar face of just the simple drills or the single questions that they can go to Conor or myself or some of the coaches that have been around the system for a long time,” Tucker DeVries explained. “But you know, at this point, I think we’re kind of past that part. They [have] picked it all up, and I think as a group, we’ve done a great job of growing together.”
Still, the team is very much a work in progress. With so many fresh faces, establishing one clear leader hasn’t been easy. Conor admitted as much—but he’s encouraged by the strides players are making.
One of those players is Wilkerson himself. Known for his sharpshooting ability—and looking sharp during open practice—he’s making a conscious effort to step into a leadership role, even if it means pushing outside his comfort zone. However, he also thinks it’s been difficult for the team to feel fully comfortable with each other yet and knows that this team can be more.
“I feel like we have to do better as a team though,” Lamar Wilkerson admitted when asked about leadership. “I feel like if we get where 10 people is being vocal instead of two, then we’ll be a way better team.”
He’s not wrong. Leadership can’t fall on the shoulders of just a couple players—not on a team with so many new faces. When every voice matters, when even the guys coming off the bench are directing traffic, encouraging teammates, and holding each other accountable, that’s when a team becomes truly dangerous.
As legendary NBA coach Phil Jackson once said, “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” If Indiana can continue to build that mutual trust—on the court, in the locker room, and off it—then they’ll give themselves a real shot to compete this season.
“The sky is really the limit,” said Tayton Conerway. “Just how hard they all play and how open they are to winning. Both of them [Conor & Lamar], you can tell to run through a brick wall. If it’s gonna make us win, they’ll run through that wall multiple times. Just being open to do whatever it takes to win, getting out of your comfort zone… Stepping up to the plate, being a ballplayer is gonna help us a lot.”
Indiana basketball legend Bob Knight once said, “Discipline is doing what you have to do and doing it as well as you possibly can, and doing it that way all the time.” That mindset still echoes through Assembly Hall today—and it’s exactly the kind of culture Coach Darian DeVries is working to instill with this new-look squad.
DeVries didn’t just recruit talent—he brought in tough, self-motivated players hungry to bring a championship back to Bloomington. For many of the transfers, it wasn’t just the history that drew them in—it was the pride, the passion, and the community that defines Indiana basketball. These guys are all in. After practices, it’s not uncommon to see Lamar Wilkerson and several teammates staying behind to get extra reps, fine-tune their mechanics, and push each other to be better.
Now, it’s time to see that work in action.
The Hoosiers tip off their Puerto Rico exhibition tour on Wednesday, August 6th at 7 p.m. EST, with two more games set for Saturday, August 9th at 7 p.m. and Monday, August 11th at 11 a.m. These matchups will offer the first real glimpse at how this newly assembled team performs under pressure. How well can they shoot? Can the chemistry translate into crisp ball movement and smart decisions? And how will promising freshman Trent Sisley look in his first collegiate action?
Fans will also be watching closely to see if Aleksa Ristic, one of Indiana’s two European commits, gets playing time. While Andrej Acimovic won’t be suiting up in Puerto Rico, the 6’11” big man will soon join the group in Bloomington—another piece to add to an already intriguing puzzle.
One thing is clear: this team is coming together faster than expected. And if the early signs are any indication, Indiana Basketball might just be building something special.