All eyes are on Tucker DeVries, a talented guard who made waves at West Virginia University before an injury sidelined him midseason. With the 2025/2026 campaign on the horizon, fresh optimism surrounds his recovery.
Yesterday, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported that DeVries has been “mostly” cleared for all basketball-related activities. This is a significant step forward as he prepares to join his father, Darian DeVries, at Indiana University for his Big Ten debut.
This update comes after a challenging stretch that saw the young player undergo shoulder surgery and navigate a transfer, raising excitement and questions among fans.
DeVries’ Injury Timeline and Recovery Progress
His journey took an unexpected turn during the 2024/2025 season at West Virginia. The senior guard, who transferred from Drake to follow his father Darian to Morgantown, showcased his skills early on, averaging 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds over eight games. His impact was clear, building on a standout career with Missouri Valley Player of the Year honors in 2023 and 2024 at Drake.
However, an upper-body injury, later identified as a shoulder issue, forced him out indefinitely following a December 10, 2024, announcement from West Virginia University Athletics. The program confirmed that he would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, a decision that led to an application for a medical redshirt to preserve his eligibility.
The timing of the injury raised eyebrows, as it occurred shortly after Darian accepted the head coaching position at Indiana on March 18, 2025, per ESPN. Tucker followed his father to Bloomington, entering the transfer portal postseason. The shoulder trouble was traced back to an earlier procedure in March 2024, suggesting a recurring challenge that required careful management.
Indiana’s Tucker DeVries (shoulder) has been “mostly” cleared for all basketball related activities, per Darian DeVries.
Averaged 14.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG in eight games last season at West Virginia prior to injury.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 9, 2025
Fast forward to yesterday, and the latest update from Darian, relayed through Rothstein, indicates progress. Being “mostly” cleared suggests he is nearing full participation, though the cautious wording hints at a gradual return to avoid setbacks.
Details on the recovery process remain limited, as is typical with medical updates in college sports. The West Virginia athletics release from December 2024 noted the upper-body injury without specifics, and no further official statements have elaborated since then. However, the fact that he is engaging in basketball activities signals a positive trajectory.
Impact of DeVries’ Return on Indiana’s Big Ten Aspirations
DeVries’s stats from West Virginia—14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in limited action—reflect his potential to be a double-digit scorer, a role that could complement Indiana’s existing lineup as they aim to compete in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.
KEEP READING: How Indiana’s Booster Network Benefits New Coach Darian DeVries
However, the transition from the Big 12 to the Big Ten, combined with his recovery, means expectations should be tempered. Coaches often prioritize gradual reintegration for players returning from surgery, and Darian will likely take a measured approach to ensure long-term success.
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