Indiana will now be replacing two of its top three scorers after the program announced Friday that Justin Smith is leaving as a graduate transfer following his junior season. The 6-foot 7- forward averaged 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while starting all 32 games for the Hoosiers this season.
"I support his decision and wish Justin and his family all the best in this next chapter," Indiana coach Archie Miller said in a statement. "I'm proud of his growth as a person, he's a great young man and has been a terrific role model off the court and in the classroom. He obtained a degree in three years from IU's Kelley School of Business and we thank him for all his contributions to Indiana University and our program."
Smith will likely become the most sought-after graduate transfer still on the market and figures to be an impact player wherever he lands after three years of steady contributions at Indiana. The Hoosiers are also losing second-leading scorer Devonte Green to graduation. But the program signed a four-man recruiting class featuring two players ranked in the top-100 of the class by 247Sports.
That class and the return of All-Big Ten Freshman Team honoree Trayce Jackson-Davis and several other contributors should be enough to help the Hoosiers build on their first 20-win season under Miller.
After finishing the 2019-20 season with a record of 20-12 (9-11 Big Ten), the Hoosiers are 26-32 in league play through Miller's first three seasons. They were projected by CBS Sports Bracketology Expert Jerry Palm to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance of his tenure as a No. 10 seed this season before the event's cancellation.
