Darian DeVries entered the offseason with a lot of work to do in rebuilding Indiana's roster for next season. Rising sophomore Trent Sisley is the only returner from last year's team, but early on this offseason DeVries has done a great job of constructing IU's roster with impact players through the portal as well as a promising high school recruiting class.
DeVries and the Hoosiers secured another recruiting victory on Friday with a new commit that shores up a key area of Indiana's roster.
Indiana gets commitment from German center Clemens Sokolov
On Friday afternoon, Indiana received a commitment from German 7-foot center Clemens Sokolov. The 18-year-old playmaker averaged 6.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for Pro B Germany this past season.
Sokolov is the 11th scholarship player on IU's roster for next season. He is also the fourth addition to Indiana's incoming recruiting class, joining 6'6" forward Vaughn Karvala, 6'8" forward Trevor Manhertz, and 6'4" combo guard Prince-Alexander Moody
Sokolov figures to be a backup center for the Hoosiers, and his addition helps bring some much-needed depth to Indiana's frontcourt.
NEWS: Wuerzburg's Clemens Sokolov has committed to Indiana, agents Misko Raznatovic and Dragan Jankovski told DraftExpress.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 8, 2026
The 7-foot, 18-year-old German center averaged 6.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 23 minutes per game in Pro B Germany. pic.twitter.com/13OrzaLCCd
Earlier this offseason, DeVries added 7'2" center Samet Yigitoglu from SMU and 6'11" power forward Aiden Sherrell from Alabama through the portal in an effort to rebuild Indiana's frontcourt. The Hoosiers lacked the necessary size and physicality at the 4 and 5 positions this past season, but the additions of Yigitoglu and Sherrell help change that heading into 2026-27.
This incoming recruiting class could change everything for Darian DeVries and Indiana
As strong as those portal moves are, more frontcourt depth was needed. Yigitoglu has struggled with foul trouble throughout his collegiate career, and Indiana was without a backup center for when Yigitoglu is on the bench. Sherrell is capable of shifting over to the center position, but Sokolov's 7-foot frame helps shore up the 5 position for next season.
After not having a true center on last year's roster, DeVries has now landed two 7-foot centers this offseason. Looking ahead, IU basketball fans should be feeling a lot better about Indiana's frontcourt possibilities for 2026-27 than they did going into last season.
As DeVries continues to round out Indiana's roster for next season, be sure to follow all the latest developments with our 2026 Indiana Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker.
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