As Indiana heads into a lighter December stretch before Big Ten play, two Hoosiers who have been missing throughout the early season — Josh Harris and Jason Drake — appear to be getting closer to returning from injury, and their presence could help address some clear roster needs.
Josh Harris — Physical Presence & Rebounding
Harris came to IU from North Florida, where he made an immediate impact as a freshman by averaging 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game — efficient scoring and rebounding that earned him ASUN All-Freshman recognition.
In preseason play on the exhibition trip in Puerto Rico — Harris showed flashes of that potential with 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game before his injury sidelined him.
Coach Darian DeVries has been clear about what he likes in Harris:
“Josh brings some very good physicality for us and he works incredibly hard.” Indiana University Athletics
Harris himself has spoken about how his game is built on toughness and rebounding: what he’ll bring to Indiana is “rebounding and scoring in the paint, being able to find my teammates… and bringing a lot of toughness.” Indiana University Athletics
Those are the kinds of skills Indiana has missed: physicality around the basket, strong rebounding, and the ability to finish possessions inside.
Although DeVries indicated this Monday that both he and Drake are “getting closer and closer” to returning, it doesn’t appear Harris will be back as soon as Drake. While Drake participated in pre-game shootaround before Indiana’s 72-60 loss to Kentucky on Dec. 13, Harris sat on the bench during pre-game warmups. He’s often sported a boot on his right foot.
Jason Drake — Backcourt Depth & Early Roles
Drake’s path to Indiana included stops at Cleveland State and Drexel, where he showed consistent scoring and shooting ability — averaging 11.1 points per game with nearly 40% three-point shooting in his final season.
His ability to handle the ball, hit shots from the perimeter, and contribute in space would help relieve pressure on the Hoosiers’ primary guards — particularly in lineups where spacing and decision-making are at a premium.
DeVries confirmed recent progress on both players’ rehab, saying that they’re closer and closer to being available once trainers clear them.
Why Their Returns Matter
When both Harris and Drake are healthy and available, Indiana gains:
- More interior physicality and rebounding from Harris, helping protect against foul trouble issues and defensive glass problems.
- Guard depth and shooting from Drake, giving DeVries more options when spacing or ball security matters.
- Lineup flexibility that has been limited so far this season with injuries disrupting rotations.
Getting them back won’t fix every challenge overnight — especially in the rugged Big Ten — but it gives Indiana a chance to reinforce fundamentals and sustain pressure for longer stretches.
For a team still finding its identity and building habits, that’s significant.
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