2024-25 IU basketball player profile: Oumar Ballo – Inside the Hall

With the start of college basketball season approaching, we’ve moved from our look at other Big Ten programs to our player-by-player previews of the 2024-25 Indiana roster.

Today, our player profiles continue with redshirt senior Oumar Ballo.

Previously: Bryson Tucker, Jakai Newton, Myles Rice, Mackenzie Mgbako, Gabe Cupps, Kanaan Carlyle, Malik Reneau

Dominant post-play has been a staple of Mike Woodson’s three-year tenure in Bloomington. From Trayce Jackson-Davis to Malik Reneau to Kel’el Ware, the Hoosiers have prioritized playing through the post for the last three seasons.

After Ware left for the NBA last spring, the Indiana coaching staff returned to the transfer portal to find a post presence to pair with Reneau.

The Hoosiers landed one of the nation’s best bigs from last season: Oumar Ballo. He was considered the best big man available in the portal.

“Oumar is a dominating post presence on both ends of the floor with a winning background,” Mike Woodson said shortly after IU signed Ballo. “His experience playing at the highest level will elevate our program. He is a big fella with soft touch around the rim, good hands, and solid footwork. He is very physical and is a perfect fit in our system and our league.”

Ballo, a 7-foot, 265-pound center who began his career at Gonzaga before transferring to Arizona, is one of the most physically imposing bigs in the country.

He’s been one of the nation’s best centers over the last two seasons. In the 2022-23 campaign, Ballo averaged 14.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and shot 64.7 percent. Last season, Ballo averaged a double-double: 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds while shooting 65.8 percent.

The Koulikoro, Mali native, was named first-team All-Pac 12 each season.

While Indiana is expected to have a more balanced offense this season with improved guard play, it will still emphasize its post players.

The Hoosiers now have one of the most efficient post scorers in the country in Ballo. When Ballo can get into position in the post and seal off his defender, he’s challenging to stop. According to Synergy Sports,…