Indiana secured a major transfer portal addition in Lamar Wilkerson, a senior guard from Sam Houston. Wilkerson, ranked No. 9 among shooting guards by 247 Sports, averaged 20.5 points and hit 44.5% from three last season. He went 109-for-245 from beyond the arc, averaging 3.4 makes per game—far surpassing Indiana’s team-high of 62 threes by Luke Goode.
Despite just five scholarship players on the roster and only four with college experience, Wilkerson is expected to start. Indiana fended off Kentucky and Auburn to land him. Analyst Jeff Goodman broke down Wilkerson’s decision to pick Indiana over Kentucky, offering insight into what drove the high-scoring sharpshooter to Bloomington.
Inside Lamar Wilkerson’s Transfer Decision: A Game-Changing Transfer
Lamar Wilkerson’s unexpected commitment to Indiana over Kentucky stirred conversation across the college basketball landscape.
On “The Field of 68: After Dark,” analysts Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman delved into the reasoning behind the decision, offering insight into what prompted the shift and how Wilkerson’s choice reflects broader trends in the transfer portal era.
Throughout the weekend, signs pointed toward Wilkerson leaning heavily toward Kentucky.
However, the dynamic changed quickly when he announced his commitment to Indiana. Goodman admitted he was “a little surprised,” but after hearing Wilkerson speak, the decision made sense.
“You’re getting similar money at these places,” Goodman explained, emphasizing that Wilkerson likely evaluated where he could make the most immediate and significant impact.
Wilkerson’s concern centered on role clarity. As Dauster noted,
“Yesterday, he committed to Indiana,” said Dauster. “And for most of the weekend, it felt like Lamar was trending toward Kentucky.”
Despite expectations, Wilkerson opted for Bloomington, drawn by a chance to take on a central role rather than join a crowded rotation.
“The quote that got picked up that he said in our interview with him yesterday was, ‘I don’t want to go to Kentucky and just be another guy.’”
With Kentucky’s roster already loaded with talent at the wing, including players like Otega Oweh, Jasper Johnson, and Cam Williams, the competition for minutes was stiff. Even if Wilkerson earned a starting role, he might see just 22 minutes a game. At Indiana, the outlook is different.
With Tucker DeBoer also in the mix, Wilkerson is likely to start and log around 30 minutes per game in a clearly defined role. Financial considerations were not ignored. Dauster stated plainly,
“The number from Indiana was a bigger number than what Kentucky had.”
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
But the choice wasn’t solely about money. Wilkerson was drawn to the opportunity to lead and revive a storied program. Goodman highlighted that pitch:
“Indiana hasn’t been very good for a while… you can be a part of something here to be beloved.”
Ultimately, Wilkerson chose the program where he could contribute immediately, receive consistent playing time, and help elevate a brand that hasn’t been in the national spotlight consistently.
“Every player that’s in the portal thinks” they can win, Dauster said.
Wilkerson saw a chance to help elevate a historic but struggling program.
“Indiana hasn’t been very good for a while,” said Goodman. “You can be a part of something here, to be beloved.”
For Wilkerson, Indiana offered the perfect combination of trust, clarity, and opportunity.
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