A late-July ruling from a U.S. District Court judge in Colorado has created significant movement across college athletics. Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a preliminary injunction challenging the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rule, allowing athletes from the high school Class of 2022 whose eligibility had expired to compete during the 2026-27 season.
The decision has already had a noticeable effect on the Indiana Hoosiers. Football players Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt are now eligible to return, while basketball forward Sam Alexis also received an opportunity to play another season.
Former Indiana forward Reed Bailey was another beneficiary of the ruling. However, with the Hoosiers already at their roster limit for the 2026-27 season, Bailey will not return to Bloomington. Instead, he has found a new home in the Big East.
Reed Bailey transfers to St. John’s
Bailey entered the transfer portal Tuesday with a “do not contact” designation, and his next destination became clear only hours later. On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Bailey had committed to St. John’s.
The 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward will join a Red Storm team coached by Rick Pitino. St. John’s enjoyed a strong 2025-26 campaign, winning 30 games and reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Bailey spent one season with Indiana after transferring from Davidson. During the 2025-26 season, he appeared in 32 games and made 10 starts, averaging 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
Before making the move to Bloomington, Bailey was a productive player at Davidson, where he averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 97 games.
DeVries reshapes Indiana’s roster
Indiana coach Darian DeVries spent much of the offseason deliberately preserving one roster spot in anticipation of a potential late addition. That decision ultimately became important following the eligibility ruling.
Because Alexis and Bailey had not used a redshirt season or signed professional contracts, they were the two Indiana basketball players who qualified for additional eligibility under Judge Sweeney’s decision. Once that became clear, attention quickly turned toward how DeVries would handle the unexpected roster situation.
The first major development came earlier this month when Alexis announced his return to Indiana. His decision provides the Hoosiers with valuable experience and additional depth in a revamped frontcourt. Alexis and sophomore forward Trent Sisley are the only returning players from last season’s roster.
DeVries has otherwise transformed the team through the transfer portal, bringing in the nation’s No. 5-ranked transfer class. The group features several prominent additions, including point guard Markus Burton from Notre Dame, power forward Aiden Sherrell from Alabama and center Samet Yigitoglu from SMU.
After an underwhelming first season in Bloomington, DeVries will be counting on his revamped roster to take a significant step forward. With a talented transfer class, the return of Alexis and a completely reconfigured roster, Indiana’s performance in 2026-27 could ultimately determine whether the Hoosiers return to the NCAA Tournament.
