Reed Bailey Adds Versatility to Indiana’s Frontcourt
Reed Bailey, the third transfer portal addition for Indiana this spring, is set to bring a fresh dynamic to the Hoosiers’ frontcourt in the 2025-26 season.
A 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward from Davidson College, Bailey emerged as a standout last year in the Atlantic 10. The Massachusetts native averaged 18.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 33.3 minutes per game, earning first-team All-A10 honors. He was efficient across the board, shooting 47.7% from the field, 41.5% from three, and 76.8% at the free-throw line.
According to KenPom, Bailey posted a 27.3% assist rate in conference play—sixth-best in the A-10—showcasing his unique playmaking ability for a player his size.
Despite being the tallest player on Indiana’s 2025-26 roster, Bailey isn’t a traditional low-post center. His skillset deviates from the back-to-the-basket bigs IU has relied on in recent years, which may pose some challenges defensively but also creates opportunities to open up the floor—something first-year head coach Darian DeVries is eager to exploit.
“I love Reed’s feel and IQ. He can play off the bounce, shoot it, and make plays in the open floor,” DeVries told Inside the Hall. “He handles like a 6-1 guard. Our challenge as a staff is figuring out how to creatively utilize his skillset.”
Rim protection has been a strength for Indiana in recent years, thanks to players like Trayce Jackson-Davis, Kel’el Ware, and Oumar Ballo. Bailey, with just 36 blocks in 97 career games, isn’t a traditional shot blocker. He’s expected to play the five, but Indiana will likely lean on defensive rebounding and varied post coverages to mitigate any interior limitations.
What Bailey lacks in rim protection, he makes up for in offensive versatility. He can stretch the floor, create for teammates, and draw contact at an elite rate—ranking 33rd nationally with 6.5 fouls drawn per 40 minutes last season. His 47.7% free-throw rate in A-10 play ranked eighth in the league.
DeVries acknowledged the balance that must be struck: “Every team has strengths and areas you need to cover for. It’s about maximizing what we do well and compensating for the rest.”
Building the roster this spring, Indiana prioritized improving perimeter shooting—an area that’s held the program back in recent years. While the Hoosiers no longer have a traditional big, DeVries sees the offensive flexibility as a net gain.
“Offensively, with guys like Reed, Tucker (DeVries), and Lamar (Wilkerson), we can really space the floor and force teams to chase us,” DeVries said. “Sure, we may give up a few rebounds, but we can make up for it with scrappiness and fight. It’s not about size—it’s about toughness.”
Bailey will play a key role in this new-look Indiana squad, offering a modern, multifaceted presence in the paint—and beyond.
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