Written by Matt St. Charles
Indiana Men’s Basketball is back in 10 days as the Hoosiers face off with Alabama A&M at Assembly Hall on November 5th. Today, the spotlight is on transfer guard Nick Dorn, who projects to be one of new head coach Darian DeVries’ most talented players this season.
Name: Nick Dorn
Height/Weight: 6’7”/ 223
Hometown/High School: Charlotte, North Carolina/Julius L. Chambers High School
Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Nick Dorn joins the Hoosiers after two seasons at Elon, in which he played plenty of good basketball in the Coastal Athletic Association. As a sophomore, the 6’7” combo guard averaged 15.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while playing over 30 minutes per game.
Dorn is still recovering from two surgeries to fix a Jones fracture in his foot from late last season, but as the season draws closer, he’s ramping up to return.
“As he’s working his way back, we haven’t had an opportunity to see a lot of the basketball piece,” DeVries said in late September. “A lot of it has been shooting, some light movement stuff, but he’s certainly getting closer and closer to full health before we get into more of that live contact.”
Indiana has been without Dorn in both of its exhibitions against Marian and Baylor, and his status for Alabama A&M is still unclear.
UPDATE 10/30
According to Jon Rothstien, Indiana head coach Darian DeVries hopes that Dorn can return to action and be fully cleared for the Hoosiers regular season opener on November 5th.
What is clear is what Dorn will bring to the table when healthy. He shot 37.4% from 3 last season at Elon, and his size and athleticism will give the Hoosiers some versatility at the guard spots, as he’ll be able to guard most spots on the floor.
That 223-pound frame moving like Dorn may even be able to help another Hoosier team that’s been pretty good of late.
“I’m a little worried after watching him run on the sidelines that Coach Curt Cignetti might try and steal him from me,” DeVries said. “Because he can run, he can move…He’s a big, physical guy.”
All that potential may have to wait a bit to shine on the floor for Indiana, but it’s clear Dorn will be a key contributor when he’s back on the court.
“We’re excited about getting him back whenever that time comes,” DeVries said. “But I think it’s another added piece that we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.”