Indiana University basketball secured a commitment from highly regarded transfer Oumar Ballo on Tuesday, as announced by the Arizona center himself on social media. Known as one of the premier rebounders in recent college basketball seasons, Ballo posted impressive averages of 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds last season, following a strong sophomore campaign with 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. His consistent field goal percentage has never dipped below 62.2%, contributing to Arizona’s efficient offensive performances over the past three years.
Ranked as the top available player in the transfer portal by On3.com, Ballo brings significant prowess to Indiana University’s roster. His dominance in the Pac-12 included top rankings in offensive and defensive rebound rates, as well as 2-point field goal percentage last season. Ballo’s impact is set to fill a crucial role at the center position for Indiana, particularly with the departure of Kel’el Ware to the NBA draft.
In addition to Ballo, IU has recently added Pac-12 Freshman of the Year point guard Myles Rice and five-star forward Bryson Tucker this offseason. With four more scholarships available for the 2024-25 roster, Head Coach Mike Woodson continues to shape a competitive team ahead of an important recruitment period, including the upcoming Little 500 weekend.