Five-Star Center Darius Wabbington Commits to Indiana Men’s Basketball
· Yahoo Sports
Indiana head coach Darian DeVries secured a landmark recruiting victory on Tuesday evening, landing a commitment from class of 2027 five-star center Darius Wabbington.
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The 6-11, 225-pound big man from Phoenix Sunnyslope High School chose the Hoosiers over fellow final suitors Arizona and Illinois. Nationally ranked as a top-15 recruit in the 2027 class, Wabbington becomes the highest-rated high school commitment of Coach Darian DeVries’ tenure and Indiana's first top-15 high school prospect to pledge to the program since Mackenzie Mgbako in 2023.
A Modern Frontcourt Force
Wabbington brings a rare blend of size, length, and versatile playmaking to Bloomington. Boasting a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he possesses exceptional court vision, soft hands, and impressive ball-handling abilities for a player of his stature. Far from a traditional low-post big, Wabbington has continually expanded his game to the perimeter, stretching defenses with his outside shooting—demonstrated recently by a seven three-pointer performance in Border League action. During his high school career at Sunnyslope, he helped lead the Vikings to a 28-2 record and an Arizona Open Division state championship while shooting 52% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc.
His unique skill set fit precisely into what Darian DeVries and the Hoosier coaching staff envisioned for their future offensive schemes.
"They see a whole world for me," Wabbington noted following his announcement. "Their goal is to get me to the NBA. They want to put the ball in my hands to be a facilitator and a scorer."
Strategic Fit and Roster Building
Wabbington’s decision followed an official visit to Assembly Hall and Bloomington, where he experienced the community's passion firsthand.
"The experience I had when I was there, it was amazing," Wabbington shared. "Everyone seemed real genuine... Before the football game, we were walking through the tailgates, and people were taking pictures. Everybody loves them. It was real good to see."
The addition of Wabbington marks the third commitment for Indiana in the 2027 cycle, joining guard Chase Branham and fellow big man Felix Kiehlneker. With Wabbington on board, DeVries has established a foundation featuring elite guard play alongside interior versatility.
For Indiana, Wabbington’s pledge is more than just a single roster win; it reaffirms Bloomington as a destination for top-tier national talent. As Darian DeVries continues to shape the program's direction, anchoring the frontcourt with a five-star, multi-dimensional center signals high ambitions for the Hoosiers in the years ahead.