In a stunning move in late July, a U.S. District Court judge in Colorado granted a preliminary injunction to plaintiffs challenging the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rule. In summary, the ruling gave college athletes from the high school Class of 2022, whose eligibility had previously run out, eligibility for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
The world of college athletics has been feeling the impact of that ruling over the past month. For the Indiana Hoosiers, the move paved the way for football players Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt to return, while Sam Alexis is also coming back to the basketball program.
Another former Hoosier, forward Reed Bailey, was also granted another year of eligibility in the ruling from Judge Charlotte Sweeney. But with all of Indiana's roster spots taken, Bailey will not be returning to Bloomington for the 2026-27 campaign. Instead, he is now Big East bound.
Former Hoosier Reed Bailey commits to St. John's in the transfer portal
On Tuesday, Bailey entered the transfer portal with a 'do not contact' tag. A few hours later, his commitment to St. John's was reported by On3' Pete Nakos.
NEWS: Indiana transfer Reed Bailey has committed to St. John's, per multiple reports pic.twitter.com/vkx6Em1EWN
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) August 18, 2026
Bailey joins a Red Storm program led by head coach Rick Pitino. Last season, St. John's won 30 games and advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
ESPN is sleeping on Indiana's potential ceiling in Year 2 under Darian DeVries
Bailey, a 6'10" 230-pound forward, played just one season at Indiana. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over the course of 32 games and 10 starts for the Hoosiers in 2025-26. Prior to arriving a IU, Bailey averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in 97 games at Davidson.
Darian DeVries has re-vamped Indiana's roster for 2026-27
Over the course of the summer, DeVries intentionally left a roster spot open for 2026-27. He stated that he was open to a late roster addition, and that's exactly what he got.
Because both Alexis and Bailey had never redshirted or signed professional contracts, they were the only two Hoosiers to be granted additional eligibility in Judge Sweeney's ruling. When that became evident, Hoosier basketball fans began wondering which player DeVries would target first.
That answer came earlier this month when Sam Alexis announced that he would be returning to Indiana for the upcoming season. Alexis' return is a major boost for the Hoosiers for many reasons, as it gives Darian DeVries and company much-needed experience and depth to their new-look frontcourt. Alexis joins sophomore forward Trent Sisley as the only returning players from last year's team.
DeVries also landed the No. 5-ranked portal class in the country, which is led by point guard Markus Burton (Notre Dame), power forward Aiden Sherrell (Alabama), and center Samet Yigitoglu (SMU). Looking to improve from an underwhelming first season in Bloomington, the performance of Indiana's talented portal class could make-or-break Indiana's NCAA Tournament hopes this season.
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