Backcourt battle brewing in Bloomington: 'We have 3 point guards that we like'

As Indiana basketball enters a pivotal summer under new head coach Darian DeVries, no position may draw more intrigue — or competition — than point guard.

“We have three point guards that we like. It’ll be open competition all summer,” DeVries said on “The Field of 68” podcast with Jeff Goodman. “I think we have enough there as we continue to go that we’re going to have some good depth.”

That depth is highlighted by three experienced options: Tayton Conerway, Conor Enright and Jason Drake. Each brings a unique skill set and a different path to Bloomington, and together they form what could be one of the deepest point guard rotations Indiana has had in recent years.

Conerway, a transfer from Troy, arrives as the presumptive frontrunner for the starting job. A native of Burleson, Texas, the 6-foot-3 guard was named Sun Belt Player of the Year last season after averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.9 steals per game. He started all 34 games for the Trojans, showing a blend of physicality, defensive disruption and offensive creation that made him one of the more coveted veteran guards in the portal.

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Though Conerway posted a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio a year ago, he also averaged 2.7 giveaways per game — a number DeVries will hope to bring down. But his ability to pressure the ball defensively, get downhill in the half court and create opportunities for teammates makes him a strong candidate to anchor the position.

Pushing Conerway will be Enright, a familiar face for DeVries from their time together at Drake. After transferring to DePaul for the 2024-25 season, Enright was one of the Big East’s best facilitators before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely in early February.

In 23 games, Enright averaged 7.5 points, 6.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds. His 37.5% assist rate was elite, higher than any mark ever recorded by Indiana all-time assists leader Yogi Ferrell. While Enright’s turnover numbers — 3.1 per game — raised concerns, his court vision and facilitation stood out.

Offensively, Enright isn’t a high-volume shooter but he’s proven dangerous in catch-and-shoot situations. He made at least one 3-pointer in 18 of his 23 games last season and recorded an effective field goal percentage of 64% on spot-up looks. Though his injury status makes his long-term durability a question mark, Enright is expected to be a high-impact rotational piece who could thrive in a 20–25 minute role off the bench.

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The third name in the mix is Drake, a versatile guard who spent last season at Drexel. A native of Oak Park, Michigan, Drake averaged 11.1 points, 3.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc.

After stints at Cleveland State and Butler Community College, Drake settled into a steady role at Drexel, starting all 33 games and serving as a key offensive weapon. With a usage rate of 25.2% and a turnover rate of just 16.4%, he offered a rare blend of scoring and control.

Drake’s strength lies in his ability to play off the ball and provide scoring pop without needing to dominate possession. That trait could allow him to pair effectively with either Conerway or Enright in two-guard lineups. His outside shooting gives DeVries another weapon capable of spacing the floor and operating within the up-tempo, perimeter-oriented system the Hoosiers figure to play next season.

More importantly, all three guards offer different strengths. Conerway is the physical, two-way presence; Enright is the wiry spark plug; Drake is the scorer and floor-spacer. Together, they form a puzzle DeVries believes will fit.

“They can play on and off the ball,” DeVries said of his trio of point guards. “They all have the ability to go out there and make plays. That’s going to be a big piece for us, having someone that can create those opportunities for those shooters.”

DeVries has built a roster designed to shoot the basketball at a high level, but that will only work if his point guards can create driving lanes, draw defenders and spray the ball to open teammates. With Conerway’s burst, Enright’s vision and Drake’s shooting, Indiana has multiple answers.

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There may not be a clear starter yet, and DeVries is in no rush to name one. What’s clear is that the battle for the point guard spot will be central to Indiana’s preseason — and its success throughout the season.

“I think we have great depth [at point guard], we have good experience there as well,” DeVries said. “I think they all can complement one another.”

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