Aleksa Ristic didn’t get to watch much college basketball when he was younger. Serbia is six hours ahead of the United States’ eastern time zone, which limited viewing opportunities.
But on Monday, the 19-year-old who once thought he wouldn’t want to play for a university in the States committed to Indiana’s men’s basketball team for the 2025-26 season
Ristic, who currently plays for professional team KK Dynamic in the Basketball League of Serbia, ultimately fell for the big game atmospheres often found across the sport — and especially at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
“The more and more I heard about it, I 100% want to do it,” Ristic told the Indiana Daily Student in a phone interview Tuesday.
Ristic decided he wanted to try college basketball around New Year’s Day. He generated interest from several power-conference schools, including the University of Kansas, Georgia Tech and the University of Oregon.
Searching for the best fit, Ristic fell for Indiana’s tradition, coaching staff and the candy-striped American dream.
"Indiana has a pretty good basketball history,” Ristic said. “I knew I would develop there.”
Ristic added he had pleasant conversations with first-year Indiana head coach Darian DeVries. Stevan Petrovic, who represents Ristic at Agency 55, said the Hoosiers’ coaching staff impressed during their talks. Petrovic called DeVries a “great coach,” citing his 10-win improvement last season in the same position at West Virginia University.
DeVries and Ristic spoke about roles, development and a bevy of other topics. Ristic left their talks feeling valued.
“They said they need a player like me,” Ristic said.
In multiple press conferences since being hired March 18, DeVries has emphasized the need for roster retention and player development. Ristic, who will join the Hoosiers later this summer and has four years of eligibility remaining, is one of only two freshmen on the team.
Ristic will join six guards participating in summer practice: juniors Nick Dorn, Jasai Miles and Jason Drake and redshirt seniors Lamar Wilkerson, Conor Enright and Tayton Conerway.
Subsequently, Ristic faces steep competition for playing time. But if it doesn’t come, the 6-foot-4, 200-pounder says he’ll remain patient.
“Of course, I'm coming there to fight for my position,” Ristic said. “(But) if my first year doesn’t go well, I’ll stay.”
Ristic played 19 games for KK Dynamic this season, according to EuroBasket. He averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.2% from the field, 38.6% from the 3-point line and 83.7% on free throws.
Indiana’s coaching staff told Ristic it believes he can play either point or shooting guard, as he’s done for prior teams. Ristic feels he has the skill set to do either.
“I can shoot really well and can play the pick and roll,” Ristic said. “Anything with a screen, I'm pretty good.”
Ristic owns a high assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.98, which would’ve been the second-best mark on Indiana’s team last season. Shooting and passing aside, Petrovic also touted Ristic’s floor vision and defensive effort.
“(He’s) kind of the whole package,” Petrovic said.
Ristic has his own play style, but he enjoys watching two of the NBA’s best scoring guards in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker. He likes their composure and confidence, but also their proficiency at midrange shots.
Due to his commitment to Serbia’s U20 team, Ristic will miss the first two months of the Hoosiers’ summer program. But when he arrives in Bloomington, he intends on making an early impact — and his toolbox suggests he can do so in a variety of ways.
It’s just a matter of when.
