Darian DeVries and the Indiana Hoosiers have been on the prowl for 5-star prospect Darius Wabbington over the past several months. Wabbington is one of the most coveted recruits in the 2027 cycle, and is ranked as the No. 12 overall player and No. 2 center in the country according to 247Sports.
Wabbington took an official visit to Bloomington back on September 3, and was in attendance for IU's 52-16 win over North Texas on the gridiron. Since then, it's become clear that Indiana is among his list of final contenders. Wabbington has narrowed his list down to three schools, and Indiana is one of them. Illinois and Arizona are also in the mix. With Wabbington's recruitment getting down to the nitty gritty, it's time for Darian DeVries to seal the deal.
NEWS: 2027 5⭐️ Darius Wabbington is considering three programs, he tells @LeagueRDY:
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) October 1, 2026
Illinois
Indiana
Arizona
The 6-foot-11 big man has taken official visits to all three schools. #9 overall prospect in the @SCNext 100. https://t.co/RmD1SMxOKq pic.twitter.com/aHnq9E1SgD
Darius Wabbington can become Darian DeVries' first 5-star commit at Indiana
DeVries has made some solid strides on the recruiting trail, but he is still searching for that signature commit that defines his tenure in Bloomington so far. He has yet to sign a 5-star commit, but Wabbington can change that.
The frontcourt has been a huge priority for DeVries this offseason, both in the portal and in recruiting. Through the portal, IU brought in 6'11" power forward Aiden Sherrell from Alabama and 7'2" center Samet Yigitoglu from SMU. Yigitoglu is the true center Indiana desperately missed last season, while Sherrell is a dynamic playmaker who can make a significant impact all over the floor. Together, they could be among the best frontcourt combos in all of college basketball if things go according to plan.
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When it comes to recruiting, DeVries recently landed a commitment from 7-foot German center Felix Kiehlneker. According to Peegs.com, Kiehlneker is heralded as the No. 5 overall prospect in Germany aged 19 or younger. Thus, it's clear that rebuilding Indiana's frontcourt with size, athleticism, and versatility remains top of mind for DeVries.
Wabbington could be the perfect player for DeVries' system. Owning a 6'10" 245-pound frame, Wabbington is a dynamic athlete who can handle the ball with guard-like skills. His size enables him to be a reliable rebounder on both ends of the floor, while his ability to score off the dribble and knock down shots from the outside help to keep the defense honest.
Landing a player of Wabbington's caliber would not only be a great recruiting win for DeVries and company, but it would help put Indiana back among the big boys. The Hoosiers have fallen behind a bit when it comes to bringing in elite prospects on the recruiting trail, but DeVries is aiming to fix that as soon as possible.
With Illinois and Arizona still in the fight, the time is now for DeVries to get Indiana over the hump and secure a commitment from Wabbington. Wabbington has yet to set a commitment date, but with his list of three finalists confirmed, one could be coming sooner rather than later. All IU fans can do right now is sit back and wait.
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