Indiana hired Sam Houston State's associate HC to steal Lamar Wilkerson from Kentucky

Remember Lamar Wilkerson‘s abrupt commitment to Indiana this portal cycle? We now know there was a coach to be named later included in that deal, pushing the Sam Houston State transfer toward Bloomington.

The standout guard visited IU, then Kentucky before cancelling a trip to Auburn, set to decide between the Hoosiers and Wildcats. Mark Pope and UK appeared to have the momentum when he left campus on Monday, April 14 — Keeneland is a rare miss for visitors — with a decision expected by the end of the week.

Sources directly involved in Wilkerson’s recruitment told KSR at the time he’d take his time weighing both options before he’d choose a school. Within hours, he was a Hoosier, making his surprise announcement early Tuesday afternoon on April 15. What flipped?

Wilkerson turned heads at the time when he said he “didn’t want to go to Kentucky and just be another guy” in his post-decision interview with the Field of 68. While that understandably stole all of the attention, the detail that flew under the radar was that IU coach Darian DeVries actually threw one final Hail Mary at the Sam Houston State transfer, visiting him in person the day of his commitment.

“He actually flew out here today to come see me,” Wilkerson said. “That was big. That was major. I want to go where I’m a priority and that’s what Indiana makes me feel like, a priority.”

There was speculation at the time Indiana’s eleventh-hour desperation included some additional promises to help seal the deal — specifically involving NIL and a potential staff move. Those details were reported over on KSR+.

“Have heard Indiana came in with a substantial pay increase while offering a close mentor at Sam Houston State a spot on the staff,” we reported. “They sweetened the pot and Wilkerson pulled the trigger. Kentucky obviously felt confident leaving the visit, but there was some suspicion of funny business ahead of the abrupt announcement.”

KSR+ added that Sam Houston State associate head coach Justin Bailey was the name to keep an eye on, and now, his move to Indiana has been publicly reported by Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68.

Bailey, who had been at Sam Houston since 2021 and was named associate head coach in 2023, will be the new director of player personnel in Bloomington, according to Goodman.

Indiana is hiring Sam Houston State associate head coach Justin Bailey as director of player personnel, source told @TheFieldOf68.

Bailey was integral in recruiting and in the development of Lamar Wilkerson – who transferred from Sam Houston to Indiana.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 28, 2025

Instead, Pope and the Wildcats pivoted to land Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen — the sixth man for the Gators during their national championship run in 2024-25. Kentucky also added depth pieces Reece Potter and Braydon Hawthorne before returning All-SEC guard Otega Oweh at the draft withdrawal deadline, solidifying a title-contending roster in Lexington.

Things turned out just fine for UK, who will take on IU inside Rupp Arena on Dec. 13.