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Over the last week, Indiana's men's basketball squad participated in four contests as representatives of Team USA at the FISU America Games held in Peru. The Hoosiers concluded the event on Monday with a gold-medal triumph over the Virgin Islands.
Below is an evaluation of each player expected to contribute to Indiana's rotation during the 2026-27 campaign. It should be noted that Samet Yigitoglu and Clemens Sokolov did not participate in this tournament.
Player Grades for the FISU America Games
Markus Burton: C- - Burton's performance in Peru left much to be desired. He converted 11 of 25 field goal attempts (44.0 percent) and made just 1 of 6 three-pointers. Over the four games, he averaged 7.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per contest, finishing with the lowest scoring output among the nine players graded. Despite his career average of 19.1 points per game at Notre Dame, Burton's inefficiency and turnovers were problematic. He frequently forced passes into tight spaces, made errant throws, and displayed a lackadaisical yet overly aggressive style. However, his proven track record at the high-major level—career averages of 19.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals—means this subpar trip does not alter his standing as one of the Big Ten's premier lead guards entering 2026-27.
Bryce Lindsay: B - Lindsay's main issue in Peru was his three-point shooting, as he connected on only 7 of 24 attempts (29.2 percent). Nevertheless, shooting is notoriously streaky, and his career mark of 37.7 percent from deep, along with 167 made triples at the Division 1 level, instills confidence. Lindsay showcased a more versatile offensive game than anticipated, potentially allowing him to shift to point guard if needed. With Burton and freshman standout Prince-Alexander Moody on the roster, the Hoosiers may not require Lindsay to orchestrate the offense often, but he provides valuable depth.
Prince-Alexander Moody: A- - Moody was among the freshmen who impressed during the tournament, averaging 12.3 points and 4.5 assists per game. He shot efficiently from both inside and beyond the arc (11-for-24 on threes), created opportunities for teammates, and excelled in transition. Defensively, he was a relentless on-ball defender with quick hands, generating 1.8 steals per contest.
Darren Harris: B- - Harris experienced an inconsistent showing, which is not entirely surprising for a sharpshooter. He finished the event making 7 of 22 three-point attempts (31.8 percent). Harris contributed 2.0 assists per game and actively sought out big man Aiden Sherrell in mismatches—a strategy Indiana will likely emphasize in 2026-27. However, his defensive play and rebounding were lacking, despite recording 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per outing.
Jaeden Mustaf: B+ - Mustaf's athleticism stood out among his peers. His explosive first step and ability to finish in transition made him a dynamic slasher, with most of his 9.3 points per game coming on drives. He also excelled on the boards, pulling down 26 total rebounds, second on the team. His three-point shot remains a work in progress, and his free-throw shooting (9-for-14, 64.3 percent) was subpar.
Vaughn Karvala: A+ - Karvala delivered an outstanding performance, leading the team with 65 points (16.3 per game) while displaying high efficiency from the field and beyond the arc. He played tenacious defense and committed few mistakes. The only minor critique was his rebounding (3.3 per game), but overall, his showing was exceptional.
Trevor Manhertz: B+ - Manhertz was highly efficient, shooting 11-for-17 (64.7 percent) from the floor and 50.0 percent from three-point range. He played within himself, rebounded well, passed effectively, and defended with intensity. While it would have been nice to see him be more assertive, his team-first mentality, even in blowout situations, is encouraging.
Trent Sisley: A- - Sisley served as Indiana's quintessential connector, missing only five shots the entire trip while averaging 9.3 points per game. He grabbed 5.3 rebounds per contest and was a defensive stalwart. Notably, after struggling from deep as a freshman, Sisley appeared hesitant to shoot from beyond the arc in Peru, instead attacking the rim. While he converted on many drives, his reluctance to take open threes was a lingering concern.
Aiden Sherrell: A - Sherrell posted impressive numbers: 14.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game, earning Tournament MVP honors. He shot 61.5 percent from the field and made three triples (33.3 percent from deep). Sherrell dominated opponents by using his size to get to the block in one dribble and finish at the rim. He also experimented with some questionable shots, which could prove valuable against Big Ten defenses. Overall, his performance was exactly what was expected.