Indiana University Athletics
‘Optimistic’ Trent Sisley Ready for Sophomore Season
7/2/2026 11:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Trent Sisley sees the Indiana basketball future from the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall locker room, and it is good. Very good.
"I'm really optimistic," the 6-foot-8, 225-pound sophomore forward says. "I think the pieces we've brought in are great. The coaches are great. All of that put together will make for a special season."
Twelve new players, including some of the nation's best college transfers, have optimism soaring. That includes guards Markus Burton from Notre Dame, Darren Harris from Duke, Bryce Lindsay from Villanova, and Jaeden Mustaf from Georgia Tech, plus forward Aiden Sherrell from Alabama, and center Samet Yigitoglu from SMU.
Coach Darian DeVries's plan to maximize this talent is well under way, from summer practices and workouts to the July 15 exhibition against Canada's Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf leading to the International University Sports Federation America Games in Peru after that.
"Coach's system is really good," Sisley says. "We have some new pieces that will bring out more of that. We have more parts for that, and we'll still be able to stretch the floor. Markus is able to get downhill and facilitate people."
The new Hoosiers, Sisley adds, are excellent additions.
"I trust Coach. I know he won't bring in people he doesn't think will fit."
Sisley aided the recruiting process.
"It was going out to dinner with them on their visits. Hanging out with them while they were in town, and then keeping in touch. They had questions. I answered those and tried to sell Bloomington and IU and the program."
He paused for a smile.
"I had to be helpful. I was the only one here. Getting to know them was fun."
As far as building team chemistry, Sisley says, "It's gone well. People are talking a lot and having a lot of fun. You can see it on the court even though there are some harder days. Everybody is attacking it together. It's been a good summer so far."
It's certainly been good for Sisley as he contemplates his next steps as a player. Two things are clear -- much is possible, much work remains.
"Defensively, being more consistent," he says. "Getting quicker and being able to switch a little more. Stay in front of the ball."
Sisley seeks to build on lessons learned from an "up-and-down" freshman season.
"I think that's what happens to a lot of people," he says. "I didn't change my attitude or anything (when playing time diminished). I just stayed ready. My role went down a little bit towards the end of the season, but I didn't let it bother me. Obviously, you want to play."
Sisley did play, averaging 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game over 30 games. He had four double-figure scoring efforts in the first seven games, with a high of 15 against Marquette. He just missed a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds against Bethune-Cookman.
Sisley's playing time decreased over the final eight games, only reaching double figures in minutes just once during that stretch. Strength and defensive issues were the biggest factors, he says.
"Defensively, I was lacking a little bit, and then just strength-wise, and maybe inexperience. I'll have more experience this year, so that should be huge for me."
Potential is there. Sisley was a four-star recruit out of Monteverde Academy after three standout seasons at Heritage Hills, where he set career school records for points (1,715) and rebounds (751).
DeVries' get-better message was clear: "Defensively, be quicker," Sisley says. "Know the off-the-ball stuff better. And then offensively be a little stronger and better with my shot."
Last year, Sisley shot 43.0% from the field, 27.1% on 3-pointers, and 53.8% from the line.
Improving those numbers, he says, "will help space the floor more. It will give us space. Knocking down those shots and being able to stretch the floor is the main thing."
Beyond that, "Improve my body, work in the weight room and on the court, and with quickness for defense."
For Sisley, returning to the Hoosiers was never in doubt.
"I was super comfortable here. I trust the plan Coach DeVries has for us and for me. As soon we got back (from the Big Ten tourney), we had a meeting right away. I said I was coming back."
Familiarity adds to that comfort.
"I've been here for a year. I'm just more comfortable doing what Coach wants because I know what he wants. That helps because I'm not as indecisive."
As the only returning player from DeVries' debut season, which made him the only player in the facilities in the spring, Sisley had a unique opportunity. That included plenty of one-on-one time with head strength and conditioning coach Ryan Horn and the other coaches.
"That was a huge advantage for me, getting with Coach Horn and working out on the court all the time, working on my shot making. It was super specific to my needs.
"They were small, subtle changes, but when you add all those together, it makes for some big changes. My body and my shot are the biggest."
Being the only returning scholarship player on the roster also gives Sisley leadership responsibilities greater than what's normally expected from a sophomore. Coaches sometimes use him as an example to show the others.
"We have a lot of new guys," Sisley says, "and I'm trying to teach and lead them a little bit. They're all really skilled and can do their own things."
Still, he adds, he has to be more vocal because "I know offensively and defensively, what we're trying to do. If people have questions, they'll come to me, and I'll try to help them with what I see on the court that's going on. I'm trying to talk as much as I can."
As to his advice to freshmen Trevor Manhertz, Prince-Alexander Moody, and Vaughn Karvala, Sisley says, "stay aggressive."
"Just keep doing what you do and stay ready to play every day, stay ready all the time."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Trent Sisley sees the Indiana basketball future from the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall locker room, and it is good. Very good.
"I'm really optimistic," the 6-foot-8, 225-pound sophomore forward says. "I think the pieces we've brought in are great. The coaches are great. All of that put together will make for a special season."
Twelve new players, including some of the nation's best college transfers, have optimism soaring. That includes guards Markus Burton from Notre Dame, Darren Harris from Duke, Bryce Lindsay from Villanova, and Jaeden Mustaf from Georgia Tech, plus forward Aiden Sherrell from Alabama, and center Samet Yigitoglu from SMU.
Coach Darian DeVries's plan to maximize this talent is well under way, from summer practices and workouts to the July 15 exhibition against Canada's Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf leading to the International University Sports Federation America Games in Peru after that.
"Coach's system is really good," Sisley says. "We have some new pieces that will bring out more of that. We have more parts for that, and we'll still be able to stretch the floor. Markus is able to get downhill and facilitate people."
The new Hoosiers, Sisley adds, are excellent additions.
"I trust Coach. I know he won't bring in people he doesn't think will fit."
Sisley aided the recruiting process.
"It was going out to dinner with them on their visits. Hanging out with them while they were in town, and then keeping in touch. They had questions. I answered those and tried to sell Bloomington and IU and the program."
He paused for a smile.
"I had to be helpful. I was the only one here. Getting to know them was fun."
As far as building team chemistry, Sisley says, "It's gone well. People are talking a lot and having a lot of fun. You can see it on the court even though there are some harder days. Everybody is attacking it together. It's been a good summer so far."
It's certainly been good for Sisley as he contemplates his next steps as a player. Two things are clear -- much is possible, much work remains.
"Defensively, being more consistent," he says. "Getting quicker and being able to switch a little more. Stay in front of the ball."
Sisley seeks to build on lessons learned from an "up-and-down" freshman season.
"I think that's what happens to a lot of people," he says. "I didn't change my attitude or anything (when playing time diminished). I just stayed ready. My role went down a little bit towards the end of the season, but I didn't let it bother me. Obviously, you want to play."
Sisley did play, averaging 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game over 30 games. He had four double-figure scoring efforts in the first seven games, with a high of 15 against Marquette. He just missed a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds against Bethune-Cookman.
Sisley's playing time decreased over the final eight games, only reaching double figures in minutes just once during that stretch. Strength and defensive issues were the biggest factors, he says.
"Defensively, I was lacking a little bit, and then just strength-wise, and maybe inexperience. I'll have more experience this year, so that should be huge for me."
Potential is there. Sisley was a four-star recruit out of Monteverde Academy after three standout seasons at Heritage Hills, where he set career school records for points (1,715) and rebounds (751).
DeVries' get-better message was clear: "Defensively, be quicker," Sisley says. "Know the off-the-ball stuff better. And then offensively be a little stronger and better with my shot."
Last year, Sisley shot 43.0% from the field, 27.1% on 3-pointers, and 53.8% from the line.
Improving those numbers, he says, "will help space the floor more. It will give us space. Knocking down those shots and being able to stretch the floor is the main thing."
Beyond that, "Improve my body, work in the weight room and on the court, and with quickness for defense."
For Sisley, returning to the Hoosiers was never in doubt.
"I was super comfortable here. I trust the plan Coach DeVries has for us and for me. As soon we got back (from the Big Ten tourney), we had a meeting right away. I said I was coming back."
Familiarity adds to that comfort.
"I've been here for a year. I'm just more comfortable doing what Coach wants because I know what he wants. That helps because I'm not as indecisive."
As the only returning player from DeVries' debut season, which made him the only player in the facilities in the spring, Sisley had a unique opportunity. That included plenty of one-on-one time with head strength and conditioning coach Ryan Horn and the other coaches.
"That was a huge advantage for me, getting with Coach Horn and working out on the court all the time, working on my shot making. It was super specific to my needs.
"They were small, subtle changes, but when you add all those together, it makes for some big changes. My body and my shot are the biggest."
Being the only returning scholarship player on the roster also gives Sisley leadership responsibilities greater than what's normally expected from a sophomore. Coaches sometimes use him as an example to show the others.
"We have a lot of new guys," Sisley says, "and I'm trying to teach and lead them a little bit. They're all really skilled and can do their own things."
Still, he adds, he has to be more vocal because "I know offensively and defensively, what we're trying to do. If people have questions, they'll come to me, and I'll try to help them with what I see on the court that's going on. I'm trying to talk as much as I can."
As to his advice to freshmen Trevor Manhertz, Prince-Alexander Moody, and Vaughn Karvala, Sisley says, "stay aggressive."
"Just keep doing what you do and stay ready to play every day, stay ready all the time."
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