Oumar Ballo has made the decision to bring his talents to Bloomington by committing to play basketball at Indiana next season. The 7-foot center was the top-ranked player in the transfer portal this spring and is known for being one of the best big men in the Pac-12. Ballo spent the past three seasons at Arizona where he averaged a double-double last year with 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, leading the Wildcats to the Sweet 16.
Ballo began his collegiate career at Gonzaga before following head coach Tommy Lloyd to Arizona in 2021. Over the past two seasons, he has dominated in the Pac-12 and had an impressive season with 20 double-doubles. Despite a loss to Clemson in the Sweet 16, Ballo put up impressive numbers with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
As a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining, Ballo made the choice to play under Mike Woodson at Indiana. Woodson is looking to turn the Hoosiers around after a disappointing season where they missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in his tenure. Combined with the recent commitment of guard Myles Rice from Washington State, the duo of Ballo and Rice will be key in helping Indiana rebound in the upcoming season in the expanded Big Ten conference.