Indiana University Athletics
Men’s Basketball Wins Gold Medal in Lima
7/27/2026 7:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
LIMA, Peru -- A gold medal was secured, an unbeaten July record obtained. Members of the Indiana men's basketball team that competed as part of Team USA capped an impressive FISU America Games performance by dominating the Virgin Islands for the second time in five days.
Monday evening's 99-57 victory clinched a 4-0 tourney record -- all the wins came by 42 or more points with an average victory margin of 61.3 points -- and highlighted do-it-all unselfish play, relentless 3-point shooting, inside power, and sustained intensity that could bode well for the upcoming season.
"This is my first gold medal, and the rest of the team, too," coach Darian DeVries told media members in attendance. "When we started this summer, we knew this trip was happening. We wanted to make sure we took care of business. We were going to play a lot of guys, but also wanted to make sure we would still win. Our guys did a good job that when it was time to play basketball, play basketball.
"Peru was great. We got to do a lot of activities outside of basketball. It was a fantastic trip."
While the competition didn't match what's ahead against Big Ten opponents, Indiana got invaluable practice time and opportunity to build chemistry and efficiency in DeVries's system.
If you like potent offense, Team USA delivered with games of 115, 120, 107, and 99 points in Peru after a 98-point exhibition effort against Team Canada at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Defensively, it held all four America Games opponents to less than 65 points, allowing just 36 to Peru.
DeVries has assembled an athletic, versatile team that can pound inside or punish outside. The Hoosiers have veteran play crucial for instant success -- think forward Aiden Sherrell, guards Markus Burton, Darren Harris, Bryce Lindsay, and more -- and talented youth such as freshmen Vaughn Karvala, Prince-Alexander Moody, and Trevor Manhertz to suggest long-term consistent excellence.
Lindsay led Team USA on Monday with 17 points. Manhertz added 15, Harris 13, and Sherrell 10.
"We've got a lot of guys who can make 3s," DeVries said, "but what I love about these guys is they can really share the basketball. Our movement was good. Our guys were aggressive.
"We take a lot of 3s, but when we do that, we're going to chase down the ones we miss. I like the mindset our guys had the entire week."
The 6-foot-11 Sherrell, considered one of the nation's top transfers, was an all-over-the-court force, including a double-double against Peru (19 points, 10 rebounds) and in the title game (10 points, 10 rebounds). He was named tournament MVP.
"He didn't get an opportunity to play a ton of minutes," DeVries added, "but when he was out there, he was incredibly productive. It's all the ways he can impact a game – on the defensive end, switching onto guards, pick and pop situations where he can drive it and post it. He's a very versatility player."
Team USA benefited with the return of former Hoosier power forward Sam Alexis, who averaged 13.0 in his three tourney games.
Karvala was a breakthrough by averaging a team-leading 20.3 points during the first three games, with a high of 32 points in the first Virgin Islands victory. He was 10-for-18 on 3-pointers in the first three games, and had seven rebounds against Peru.
Moody made 9-of-19 3-point attempts in the first three games, with 17 points against Peru, after totaling 13 points and five steals in the exhibition win over Team Canada. He had 12 points against Virgin Islands.
"They freshmen continue to impress," DeVries said. "They're getting better. They play with a lot of confidence and play the right way. They compete at a high level. The future is very bright for them."
In the championship game against a team it previously beat 120-63, Team USA's attack-the-rim approach quickly paid off. Guard Jaeden Mustaf opened the scoring with a pair of free throws. Lindsay followed with two more free throws. Mustaf hit two more for a 6-4 early lead. Sherrell powered in a basket as Team USA surged ahead 15-6. Sherrell altered a shot and then raced down court for a layup and 19-8 lead. Lindsay's 3-pointer gave Team USA a 25-8 lead after the first quarter. Lindsay led with nine points. Sherrell had six points.
Triples by Moody and Harris, and a Sherrell inside basket made it 35-9 early in the second quarter. Two more Lindsay free throws pushed Team USA ahead 39-15. It reached halftime leading 52-23 -- Lindsay led with 14 points, Sherrell and Moody each had eight. It led 69-43 after three quarters and cruised from there. Moody was a fourth-quarter spark.
"Prince gave us great energy," DeVries said. "Even at the end there, he was diving on the floor and doing a lot of hustle plays.
"It's those effort plays. When you get into the season, that type of effort that could change games. I love to see it."
IUHoosiers.com
LIMA, Peru -- A gold medal was secured, an unbeaten July record obtained. Members of the Indiana men's basketball team that competed as part of Team USA capped an impressive FISU America Games performance by dominating the Virgin Islands for the second time in five days.
Monday evening's 99-57 victory clinched a 4-0 tourney record -- all the wins came by 42 or more points with an average victory margin of 61.3 points -- and highlighted do-it-all unselfish play, relentless 3-point shooting, inside power, and sustained intensity that could bode well for the upcoming season.
"This is my first gold medal, and the rest of the team, too," coach Darian DeVries told media members in attendance. "When we started this summer, we knew this trip was happening. We wanted to make sure we took care of business. We were going to play a lot of guys, but also wanted to make sure we would still win. Our guys did a good job that when it was time to play basketball, play basketball.
"Peru was great. We got to do a lot of activities outside of basketball. It was a fantastic trip."
While the competition didn't match what's ahead against Big Ten opponents, Indiana got invaluable practice time and opportunity to build chemistry and efficiency in DeVries's system.
If you like potent offense, Team USA delivered with games of 115, 120, 107, and 99 points in Peru after a 98-point exhibition effort against Team Canada at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Defensively, it held all four America Games opponents to less than 65 points, allowing just 36 to Peru.
DeVries has assembled an athletic, versatile team that can pound inside or punish outside. The Hoosiers have veteran play crucial for instant success -- think forward Aiden Sherrell, guards Markus Burton, Darren Harris, Bryce Lindsay, and more -- and talented youth such as freshmen Vaughn Karvala, Prince-Alexander Moody, and Trevor Manhertz to suggest long-term consistent excellence.
Lindsay led Team USA on Monday with 17 points. Manhertz added 15, Harris 13, and Sherrell 10.
"We've got a lot of guys who can make 3s," DeVries said, "but what I love about these guys is they can really share the basketball. Our movement was good. Our guys were aggressive.
"We take a lot of 3s, but when we do that, we're going to chase down the ones we miss. I like the mindset our guys had the entire week."
The 6-foot-11 Sherrell, considered one of the nation's top transfers, was an all-over-the-court force, including a double-double against Peru (19 points, 10 rebounds) and in the title game (10 points, 10 rebounds). He was named tournament MVP.
"He didn't get an opportunity to play a ton of minutes," DeVries added, "but when he was out there, he was incredibly productive. It's all the ways he can impact a game – on the defensive end, switching onto guards, pick and pop situations where he can drive it and post it. He's a very versatility player."
Team USA benefited with the return of former Hoosier power forward Sam Alexis, who averaged 13.0 in his three tourney games.
Karvala was a breakthrough by averaging a team-leading 20.3 points during the first three games, with a high of 32 points in the first Virgin Islands victory. He was 10-for-18 on 3-pointers in the first three games, and had seven rebounds against Peru.
Moody made 9-of-19 3-point attempts in the first three games, with 17 points against Peru, after totaling 13 points and five steals in the exhibition win over Team Canada. He had 12 points against Virgin Islands.
"They freshmen continue to impress," DeVries said. "They're getting better. They play with a lot of confidence and play the right way. They compete at a high level. The future is very bright for them."
In the championship game against a team it previously beat 120-63, Team USA's attack-the-rim approach quickly paid off. Guard Jaeden Mustaf opened the scoring with a pair of free throws. Lindsay followed with two more free throws. Mustaf hit two more for a 6-4 early lead. Sherrell powered in a basket as Team USA surged ahead 15-6. Sherrell altered a shot and then raced down court for a layup and 19-8 lead. Lindsay's 3-pointer gave Team USA a 25-8 lead after the first quarter. Lindsay led with nine points. Sherrell had six points.
Triples by Moody and Harris, and a Sherrell inside basket made it 35-9 early in the second quarter. Two more Lindsay free throws pushed Team USA ahead 39-15. It reached halftime leading 52-23 -- Lindsay led with 14 points, Sherrell and Moody each had eight. It led 69-43 after three quarters and cruised from there. Moody was a fourth-quarter spark.
"Prince gave us great energy," DeVries said. "Even at the end there, he was diving on the floor and doing a lot of hustle plays.
"It's those effort plays. When you get into the season, that type of effort that could change games. I love to see it."
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