Team USA (Indiana University) Men’s Basketball Wins FISU America Games Gold Medal in Lima A gold medal was secured, an unbeaten July record obtained. Members of the Indiana men’s basketball team that competed as part of Team USA capped an impressive FISU America Games performance by dominating the Virgin Islands for the second time in five days. Monday evening’s 99-57 victory clinched a 4-0 tourney record — all the wins came by 42 or more points with an average victory margin of 61.3 points — and highlighted do-it-all unselfish play, relentless 3-point shooting, inside power, and sustained intensity that could bode well for the upcoming season.
“This is my first gold medal, and the rest of the team, too,” coach Darian DeVries told media members in attendance. “When we started this summer, we knew this trip was happening. We wanted to make sure we took care of business. We were going to play a lot of guys but also wanted to make sure we would still win. Our guys did a good job that when it was time to play basketball, play basketball. “Peru was great. We got to do a lot of activities outside of basketball. It was a fantastic trip.”
While the competition didn’t match what’s ahead against Big Ten opponents, Indiana got invaluable practice time and opportunity to build chemistry and efficiency in DeVries’s system. If you like potent offense, Team USA delivered with games of 115, 120, 107, and 99 points in Peru after a 98-point exhibition effort against Team Canada at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Defensively, it held all four America Games opponents to less than 65 points, allowing just 36 to Peru.
DeVries has assembled an athletic, versatile team that can pound inside or punish outside. The Hoosiers have veteran play crucial for instant success — think forward Aiden Sherrell, guards Markus Burton, Darren Harris, Bryce Lindsay, and more — and talented youth such as freshmen Vaughn Karvala, Prince-Alexander Moody, and Trevor Manhertz to suggest long-term consistent excellence. Lindsay led Team USA on Monday with 17 points. Manhertz added 15, Harris 13, and Sherrell 10. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can make 3s,” DeVries said, “but what I love about these guys is they can really share the basketball. Our movement was good. Our guys were aggressive. “We take a lot of 3s, but when we do that, we’re going to chase down the ones we miss. I like the mindset our guys had the entire week.”
The 6-foot-11 Sherrell, considered one of the nation’s top transfers, was an all-over-the-court force, including a double-double against Peru (19 points, 10 rebounds) and in the title game (10 points, 10 rebounds). He was named tournament MVP. “He didn’t get an opportunity to play a ton of minutes,” DeVries added, “but when he was out there, he was incredibly productive. It’s all the ways he can impact a game – on the defensive end, switching onto guards, pick and pop situations where he can drive it and post it. He’s a very versatility player.”
Team USA benefited with the return of former Hoosier power forward Sam Alexis, who averaged 13.0 in his three tourney games. Karvala was a breakthrough by averaging a team-leading 20.3 points during the first three games, with a high of 32 points in the first Virgin Islands victory. He was 10-for-18 on 3-pointers in the first three games and had seven rebounds against Peru. Moody made 9-of-19 3-point attempts in the first three games, with 17 points against Peru, after totaling 13 points and five steals in the exhibition win over Team Canada. He had 12 points against Virgin Islands. “They freshmen continue to impress,” DeVries said. “They’re getting better. They play with a lot of confidence and play the right way. They compete at a high level. The future is very bright for them.”
In the championship game against a team it previously beat 120-63, Team USA’s attack-the-rim approach quickly paid off. Guard Jaeden Mustaf opened the scoring with a pair of free throws. Lindsay followed with two more free throws. Mustaf hit two more for a 6-4 early lead. Sherrell powered in a basket as Team USA surged ahead 15-6. Sherrell altered a shot and then raced down court for a layup and 19-8 lead. Lindsay’s 3-pointer gave Team USA a 25-8 lead after the first quarter. Lindsay led with nine points. Sherrell had six points. Triples by Moody and Harris, and a Sherrell inside basket made it 35-9 early in the second quarter. Two more Lindsay free throws pushed Team USA ahead 39-15. It reached halftime leading 52-23 — Lindsay led with 14 points, Sherrell and Moody each had eight. It led 69-43 after three quarters and cruised from there. Moody was a fourth-quarter spark. “Prince gave us great energy,” DeVries said. “Even at the end there, he was diving on the floor and doing a lot of hustle plays. “It’s those effort plays. When you get into the season, that type of effort that could change games. I love to see it.”
Three Indiana University Football Named to the All-Big Ten Preseason Honors List The Big Ten Conference announced its 2026 football preseason honors on Tuesday ahead of the start of Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover® in Chicago. A media panel selected the 12-member preseason list. Seven different schools placed students on this year’s preseason honors list, led by three honorees from Indiana. Eight of this year’s Big Ten preseason honorees — Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker, Minnesota’s Anthony Smith, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, Oregon’s Dante Moore, USC’s Jayden Maiava, and Rutgers’ KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond — are scheduled to attend Big Ten Media Days this week.
The full list of Big Ten football preseason honorees is as follows:
2026 Big Ten Preseason Honors
WR Charlie Becker, IND
LB Rolijah Hardy, IND
DL Tyrique Tucker, IND
OL Kade Pieper, IOWA
DL Anthony Smith, MINN
QB Julian Sayin, OSU
WR Jeremiah Smith, OSU
QB Dante Moore, ORE
DB Koi Perich, ORE
QB Jayden Maiava, USC
WR KJ Duff, RU
RB Antwan Raymond, RU
Indiana University Football Picked to Finish Third in Two Big Ten Preseason Polls It’s Big Ten football media days week, and that means we get some annual insights from the media who cover the league on the outlook for the 2026 season. IU football coach Curt Cignetti says he’s always in search of an edge, always looking to have a chip on his shoulder. The annual Cleveland.com and USA Today media predictions for the 2026 Big Ten standings should provide some fuel. After a 16-0 national championship season, the Hoosiers are predicted to finish third in the league in both polls. Several IU players earned recognition, including a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year nod for linebacker Rolijah Hardy. Here are the results from 31 voters for Cleveland.com, and 16 writers within the USA Today Network. Cleveland.com Poll- 1. Ohio State (15), 2. Oregon (11), 3. Indiana (5), 4. USC, 5. Michigan, 6. Penn State, 7. Washington, 8. Iowa, 9. Illinois, 10. Minnesota, 11. Nebraska, 12. Wisconsin, 13. UCLA, 14. Northwestern, 15. Maryland, 16. Michigan State, 17. Rutgers and 18. Purdue.
IU quarterback Josh Hoover finished fifth in the league player of the year voting, while running back Turbo Richard and OT Carter Smith also received votes. For defensive player of the year, DT Tyrique Tucker finished sixth in the voting, while linebacker Rolijah Hardy, cornerback Jamari Sharpe, safety Amare Ferrell and linebacker Isaiah Jones all received votes.
USA Today Poll-1. Ohio State (11 first-place votes), 2. Oregon (5 first-place votes), 3 Indiana, 4. USC, 5. Michigan, 6. Penn State, 7. Washington, 8. Iowa, 9. Illinois, 10. Minnesota, 11. Nebraska, 12. UCLA, 13. Wisconsin, 14. Maryland, 15. Northwestern, 16. Rutgers. 17. Michigan State and 18. Purdue.
The USA Today voters named IU linebacker Rolijah Hardy the Big Ten defensive player of the year, and quarterback Josh Hoover the newcomer of the year. WR Charlie Becker, OT Carter Smith, DT Tyrique Tucker, LB Rolijah Hardy, LB Isaiah Jones, S Amare Ferrell, and K Nico Radicic were all voted First Team All-Big Ten. The following players earned honorable mention: WR Nick Marsh, OL Drew Evans, OL Joe Brunner, DL Mario Landino, DB Jamari Sharpe. The Athletic also named preseason All-Big Ten teams and placed Becker, Smith, Tucker, Hardy, Jones and Radicic to the first team; Marsh, Ferrell and Mario Landino to the second team, and Sharpe to the third team.
Assembly Hall turns back clock to 1987 as extras fill seats for ‘Little Five’ filming Thousands of people decked out in Indiana University gear filled Assembly Hall on Saturday but not for a basketball game. They were extras looking for a chance to get on the big screen. Crews were filming “Little Five,” the story of how the first Women’s Little 500 came to be in 1988. Kayli Adamson, an IU Indianapolis junior, will portray a Wilkie sprint cyclist in the movie. “Just playing the role that I am, and my involvement is really important, and I really want to show others what’s going on here,” Adamson said.
The filmmakers with Pigasus Pictures went to IU, so this is personal for them. “Little Five” will also focus on efforts to lift up women’s athletics to be seen as equal to men. “This film is going to make history. It’s an important story to tell,” State Sen. Shelli Yoder (D-District 40) said. “There are so many different ways to build the economy in Indiana, and the creative economy is one important way that we can highlight stories and make Indiana stronger in the process.”
Even though Indiana Basketball has five national championships, there were only four banners hanging up in Assembly Hall on Saturday. Since the scene crews were filming took place in 1987, the ’87 banner was not up to make it as authentic as possible. The extras in Assembly Hall were part of the scenes that show the 1987 Mini 500 tricycle race. Since a lot has changed in Bloomington since the historic ’88 Women’s Little 500, crews will focus on older buildings and made replica bikes. “We’ve sort of had to create things to make it feel like it’s the actual ’80s,” said Gordon Strain, Pigasus Pictures co-owner and “Little Five” co-executive producer. “Obviously hair and makeup, costumes, all that. It’s harder than you think to make something look like 1988.”
“The crowd really pulls it all together,” Adamson said. “We’ve got a whole lot of ’80s outfits and whatnot, so it is crazy how we could really bring everything back in time the way that we did, and it looks great.” Filming will continue at Bill Armstrong Stadium for the Women’s Little 500 race scene in August. Filmmakers hope to release “Little Five” in fall 2027.
Indianapolis Colts Wide Receiver Alec Pierce to be sidelined for start of training camp With the start of Indianapolis Colts training camp which started on Tuesday the Colts announced that star wide receiver Alec Pierce and rookie linebacker C.J Allen have been placed on the ‘Active/Physically Unable to Perform’ list ahead of training camp. The Colts shared the news on X. Both Pierce and Allen being put on the PUP list is a label for players who cannot practice due to football-related injuries before training camp. Pierce dealt with a lingering left ankle issue for parts of last season and received a procedure on his ankle this past March after the season concluded.
Former Indiana Pacer Scot Pollard hosts ‘Pearls of Life’ charity golf outing to aid transplant families Former Indiana Pacers forward Scot Pollard hosted his first annual ‘Pearls of Life’ charity golf outing at the Sagamore Club to promote organ donation awareness and support families navigating the transplant journey. Pollard underwent a life-saving heart transplant two years ago and, alongside his wife, Dawn, founded Pearls of Life to educate, encourage, and provide vital support to families impacted by the transplant process. The nonprofit is named in memory of Pollard’s father, Pearl Pollard, who passed away on the transplant list when Scot was 16.
On Monday, Pollard shared how much the foundation means to his family and how crucial it is for families to receive timely medical support. “The financial part of it, it’s just daunting,” Pollard said. “It’s a true fact that when you’re going through transplant evaluation, they take into consideration, can you absorb some of the cost. If you can’t, some transplant centers will deny you. That’s part of where Pearls of Life has gotten involved.”
The Pearls of Life foundation works directly with medical providers to identify families in need of financial, logistical, and emotional support, then connects them with donations made to the organization. Pollard noted that becoming an organ donor isn’t always as simple as a label on a driver’s license and said it’s best to officially register as an organ donor in case of emergency. “Accidents happen, things happen, and if the hospital doesn’t know, they can’t just automatically sign you up,” Pollard said. “Making sure you’re signed up is the best way to do it, whether it’s Donate Life Indiana or our website, Pearls of Life.” Go to PearlsofLife.org to donate to families in need of financial support for organ transplants and to register as an organ donor.
Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones declares himself ready for training camp after recovering from season-ending injury Daniel Jones is one of several key players coming back from a season-ending injury, and it sounds like his rehab is going just about as well — and likely even better — than anyone could have expected. Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,“ Jones said he expects to be “full go” when the Indianapolis Colts open training camp Wednesday, fewer than eight months after tearing his Achilles tendon — a remarkable feat. “I’m feeling good,” Jones said. “Plan is to be back in 11-on-11 full-team drills Wednesday when we start up practice, so be out there with the guys, excited to get back rolling. But feeling good, and rehab’s been good to this point — still some work to do as we get ready for Week 1 — but feeling really good with where I am.”
Jones tore his right Achilles Dec. 7 in an eventual Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. At that point, he had been playing through a fracture in his left fibula for several weeks. The Colts were 8-2 entering their bye when the Jones injuries began to pile up. With a hobbled Jones, they lost in Week 12 to the Kansas City Chiefs and Week 13 to the Jaguars. Jones’ Week 14 Achilles tear forced the Colts to turn to rookie Riley Leonard and then 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who had been retired for over four years. The Colts finished 8-9, losing their final seven games.
Jones was set to play on the rarely used transition tag this season before agreeing to a two-year, $88 million deal with Indianapolis shortly into free agency. Jones originally joined the Colts on a one-year, $14 million deal to battle Anthony Richardson for the starting spot. Not only did Jones win that battle, but he was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL through 10 weeks, ranking. first in passing yards, first in expected points added per play and fourth in yards per attempt.
As Jones mentioned, there is still a long way to go between now and Week 1, not only in terms of his recovery but also in terms of his ability to play at his previous level. “I think you’re constantly evaluating it; it’s hard not to compare it [to your previous self],” Jones said. “I think I’m in a really good spot. I can do everything. There’s nothing that I can’t do. I think there’s still that last little bit that you’re working to get back, but I feel good in the next month or so as I get into team drills, 11-on-11, doing everything again with that coming back and feeling 100%.”
Other quarterbacks, such as Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers, have struggled after returning from Achilles tears, but it should be noted that both injuries occurred much later in their careers. Jones is only 29. Still, his comfort working from under center — as well as how the Colts manage his workload the next few weeks — will be worth monitoring. The Colts open their season Sept. 13 against the Baltimore Ravens in Indianapolis.