Indiana Men's Basketball Lands Oumar Dallo
Dallo was the top-rated player in the transfer portal this cycle. His addition gives Mike Woodson a replacement for Kel'el Ware.
By Dante Pryor
Arizona Center Oumar Ballo, the top-rated player in the transfer portal, has chosen Indiana. Woodson and the Indiana Basketball staff put on the full-court press for the Mali native. Whatever they did, it worked. Ballo decided to end his recruitment without taking any other visits. Louisville, Kansas State, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Florida pursued Ballo.
The seven-foot Ballo became the top-rated player in the portal when he entered his name last week. Last year, Ballo averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds and earned All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 defensive honors.
Ballo's breakout season came in 22-23, averaging 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He followed Tommy Lloyd from Goznaga to Arizona.
What it means for Indiana Basketball
With Kel'el Ware off to the NBA, Woodson and the Hoosiers need another inside presence, and Ballo is a good fit. He can rebound and block shots. With Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau's improvement, Ballo can defend, hit the offensive glass, and rim protect. His best asset is he doesn't need the basketball to be effective.
NEXT. Indiana Basketball. Mackenzie Holmes is Drafted by the Seattle Storm. dark