One of the most sought-after sharpshooters in the transfer portal has made his decision. Lamar Wilkerson, a standout guard from Sam Houston State, announced Tuesday that he is committing to Indiana, choosing the Hoosiers over Kentucky after visiting both programs this past weekend.
Wilkerson, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard, had emerged as a top transfer target for several high-major programs, including Auburn — a visit he ultimately canceled before narrowing his final decision to the Wildcats and Hoosiers. The versatile scorer and elite perimeter shooter will now head to Bloomington, where he believes he can play a pivotal role in a program looking to return to national prominence.
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“It was a pleasure to be recruited by Kentucky,” Wilkerson said during an interview on The Field of 68 following his decision. “But I didn’t want to go to Kentucky and just be another guy, that has already been to Kentucky. Hoosiers basketball, it’s a big-time name, and they haven’t been where they wanted to be.”
Wilkerson averaged 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 21 assists per game last season at Sam Houston State while shooting an impressive 44.5% from beyond the arc on high volume. His shooting ability and experience made him one of the most attractive backcourt options in the portal, especially for programs looking to bolster perimeter scoring.
New Indiana head coach Darian DeVries made Wilkerson a priority target early in the portal cycle, and that effort paid off.
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“I trust Coach (Darian) DeVries and what he’s bringing in and the type of coach he is and how he’s going to put us in position to win,” Wilkerson added. “We can do this together. It’s just going to make my story better, his story better, and Hoosier basketball will be back.”
For Kentucky, the inability to land Wilkerson is a minor setback as head coach Mark Pope continues to rebuild a roster with a mix of transfers, returnees, and talented freshmen. Wilkerson would have been a strong floor spacer and scoring option, but Kentucky still has multiple scholarship spots open and remains active in the transfer market, especially after the decommitment of 2025 point guard Acaden Lewis.
As for Wilkerson, he’ll look to play a leading role in Indiana’s resurgence under DeVries. With his scoring instincts, defensive versatility, and confidence in the Hoosiers’ vision, he may be just the kind of player to help usher in a new era in Bloomington and help lead them to the NCAA Tournament.
