'I know what it takes': Florida transfer Sam Alexis brings championship pedigree to Indiana

Sam Alexis committed to Indiana without ever stepping foot in Bloomington. No photos in the locker room. No videos in candy stripes. Just belief.

Belief that, in a new coach’s system, on one of college basketball’s grandest stages, and with one final year to leave his mark, he could do more than thrive on the court — he could help Indiana matter again.

“I know what it takes,” Alexis said Thursday on Indiana Sports Beat Radio. “From watching it at Florida and being a part of it.”

Alexis, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward, arrives at Indiana with scars from adversity and hardware from a national title. The Florida transfer appeared in just 24 games last season before an ankle injury cut his year short.

Now fully healthy and laser-focused, he’s determined to make his final college season count — not just for himself, but for Indiana.

“It’s my last year, so I have to make it count,” he said. “Take every opportunity and give it the best I can. We have a lot of older guys coming in at Indiana, so hopefully we all have that same mindset — just getting each other better so we can make a run in the tournament.”

TRENDING: For Drew Adams, returning to Indiana is a ‘dream come true,’ but he and Darian DeVries are ready to win

Alexis’ basketball journey has taken him from the mid-major grind at Chattanooga — where he quietly averaged 7.9 points and 6.5 rebounds over two seasons — to a crowded frontcourt in Gainesville, where he often watched from the bench during Florida’s national title run.

With the Gators, he averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, shooting 46.5% from the field. He didn’t start a game.

But the stats don’t tell the full story. Alexis missed the final stretch of the regular season and most of the NCAA Tournament with the ankle injury he sustained Feb. 11 at Mississippi State.

Still, he managed to log one final minute in Florida’s Sweet 16 win over Maryland — a minute, and a championship run, he’ll never forget.

“It was an amazing feeling. It was a dream come true,” he said. “It didn’t feel real. I didn’t know if I should cry or just run around. It was just too many emotions.”

Now healthy, Alexis is trading sunshine for snow — and an SEC title for a shot at climbing the Big Ten ladder. He didn’t need a five-star pitch to pick Indiana. When he entered the portal April 18, he committed just six days later.

“It was really more about the fit and the playing time,” Alexis said. “The basketball, the fans, the community — it was all a plus.”

That fit comes in the form of new Indiana head coach Darian DeVries, who arrived after a brief stint at West Virginia. Alexis dove into film, studying game after game of DeVries’ Mountaineers.

“Just the style of play,” he said. “I just kept watching West Virginia games, and the more I watched, the more I liked the style. It’s kind of similar to what I played at Chattanooga, and I thrived at Chattanooga.”

DeVries’ system values versatility — a trait Alexis possesses in spades. His offensive rebounding rate at Florida was an eye-popping 14.5%, surpassing even Trayce Jackson-Davis’ best mark (11.8%). By comparison, recent Hoosier bigs like Kel’el Ware and Oumar Ballo hovered in the 8–12% range.

“I take a lot of pride in that,” he said. “Coaches always drill that into me — always attack the glass and go get every rebound.”

Alexis won’t care if he scores six points or 16. He’s not chasing All-Big Ten honors. He’s chasing wins.

“I really don’t have any individual goals,” he said. “Just really attacking every day, going hard every day in practice. I just want to win — win as a team.”

It’s the mindset DeVries is looking to instill in a retooled Indiana locker room. Alexis isn’t coming in to lead with his voice — he wants his energy, effort and toughness to speak louder.

“Hopefully here at Indiana I can show my ability to guard all positions and rebound,” he said. “That’s something I can bring in practice every day — the energy and encouraging my teammates to get better.”

He watches a lot of Draymond Green — another undersized big who made his mark on the NBA through grit and defensive IQ. Alexis isn’t Draymond, but the mindset is similar.

“Defensively, just being able to lock down the guy in front of you,” he said. “I think it’s fun.”

IUBB RECRUITING: Indiana basketball remains active in pursuit of 2026 5-star Anthony Thompson

When Alexis finally visited Indiana last week, the decision had already been made. He wasn’t there to be sold. He just wanted confirmation.

“I was already committed, so there wasn’t much persuading me,” he said. “I love the campus — it’s actually bigger than I thought it would be, and the facilities are really nice.”

His interaction with DeVries during the visit stood out.

“He’s all about basketball. He’s all about winning,” Alexis said. “He’s a very detailed coach.”

Alexis knows Indiana’s national relevance has faded in recent years. But to him, the brand still carries weight.

“Indiana is one of the biggest platforms you can play on,” he said. “I know that if I do what I’m supposed to do, then I can get where I need to be.”

He remembers watching old Trayce Jackson-Davis highlights when Indiana first recruited him ahead of the 2024-25 season. Alexis ultimately landed at Florida last season, but the noise, the passion, the fanaticism — it all came rushing back when Indiana called again.

“I knew [Indiana] was a basketball state — it’s all about basketball there,” he said. “I found the love for [Indiana] again.”

As Alexis prepares for his final year of college basketball, the urgency is real. But it’s not pressure. It’s opportunity.

“Being able to push through adversity this year — that’s one of the challenges I’m excited to face,” he said.

Indiana is betting on Alexis — not to score 20 a night, but to do all the little things that win games in February and define legacies in March.

And Alexis? He’s betting on himself.

He’s seen the confetti. He’s heard the final horn. Now, he wants to do it again — this time in a bigger role, and in the cream and crimson.

“I just want to win,” Alexis said. “I know what it takes.”