Indiana men’s basketball has finally landed a truly towering presence in the paint, and his name is Samet Yigitoglu. Standing at an impressive 7'2", the former SMU center is the tallest Hoosier in decades—and exactly the kind of big man that has been missing from the lineup.
Head coach Darian DeVries has secured a player reminiscent of the dominant overseas centers Matt Painter typically brings to Purdue: a force who controls the glass and the paint on both ends of the floor. Yigitoglu’s sheer size alone will make opposing guards think twice before driving the lane—a level of interior intimidation Indiana hasn’t enjoyed since Kel’el Ware.
Yigitoglu arrives in Bloomington after two standout seasons at SMU, where he started every game from day one. As a freshman, he averaged 10 points, six rebounds, and one block per game. Last season, he elevated those numbers to 10.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per contest—all while shooting an eye-popping 62.8% from the field.
What makes Yigitoglu so effective? He doesn’t waste motion. He moves exceptionally well for a player his size, and he attacks the rim with a clear mission: dunk everything. That aggressive, no-nonsense approach is a big reason for his high shooting percentage. He attempted zero three-pointers last season, preferring to do his damage close to the basket.
His game is built on efficiency and teamwork. Yigitoglu took only 16.2% of SMU’s shots last season, showing a willingness to score through offensive rebounds and lobs from driving guards. He doesn’t demand the ball or waste dribbles with his back to the basket. Instead, he gets the ball and goes straight up—usually for a dunk.
This style makes him a seamless fit alongside fellow big man Aiden Sherrell. The two can share the floor effectively, giving Indiana a massive frontline capable of handling the Big Ten’s biggest lineups. While Yigitoglu isn’t a prolific shot blocker like Sherrell, his presence alone discourages opponents from testing him at the rim. When both bigs are on the court together, scoring inside against Indiana will be a serious challenge.
Durability is another strength. Yigitoglu averaged nearly 29 minutes per game last season while committing just 3.3 fouls per game—impressive for a seven-footer. He plays hard, but he’s also smart about staying available when it matters most. For context, Sherrell averaged just under 24 minutes per game at Alabama last year, so the two can complement each other’s minutes perfectly.
In short, Indiana has finally added the kind of big man who changes the game just by stepping on the floor. Yigitoglu brings size, athleticism, and a relentless approach to the rim—qualities that will make the Hoosiers a much tougher matchup in the paint this season.