Four-star transfer guard Lamar Wilkerson from Sam Houston has reportedly pledged to play for Indiana. This marks the first major recruiting success for Darian DeVries since becoming the Hoosiers’ head coach—aside from securing his son, Tucker DeVries, who followed him from West Virginia to Bloomington.

Wilkerson’s commitment is a significant win for Indiana. He’s considered one of the top scorers and most reliable three-point shooters in the transfer market this year. What adds even more satisfaction is that Indiana managed to secure him over Kentucky, one of the biggest names in college basketball.

Sam Houston standout Lamar Wilkerson picks Indiana over Kentucky, snubbing Mark Pope.

Winning a competitive recruitment battle is always satisfying, especially when it comes at the expense of a historic rival. The long-standing Indiana-Kentucky feud gains a fresh chapter, as Wilkerson picked the Hoosiers over the Wildcats and called off all other visits. It’s a double victory—boosting DeVries’ momentum and delivering a tough loss to Kentucky’s Mark Pope.

The timing was especially harsh for Pope, who also saw All-SEC guard Otega Oweh declare for the NBA Draft that same day. Meanwhile, Indiana adds a prolific scorer in Wilkerson, forming a dangerous backcourt duo alongside Tucker, which could be their best in years.

Wilkerson considered several factors in making his choice, and Kentucky’s big-school status may have hurt them. The two-time First Team All-Conference USA guard said on the Field of 68 podcast that he didn’t want to join Kentucky “and just be another guy.” Still, he believes playing for Indiana provides elite exposure and a respected basketball brand.

Wilkerson had a breakout junior year at Sam Houston, putting up personal bests across the board: 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game over 32 appearances. He also led the league in three-point shooting, hitting 44.5% on 7.7 attempts each night.

Sitting at No. 42 in 247Sports’ 2025 transfer rankings, Wilkerson helps solidify an impressive incoming group for Indiana. With him in the fold, the Hoosiers now have the No. 4 transfer class in the country—just behind Pope’s Kentucky squad. Still, by beating them out for Wilkerson, Indiana narrows the gap significantly.