Josh Harris Discusses IU Commitment: “They Had a Plan for Everything”
Josh Harris, the highly-touted 6’6” combo guard out of Oak Ridge High School, made waves in the college basketball world with his verbal commitment to Indiana University (IU) this past weekend. In a press conference packed with media, teammates, and coaches, Harris revealed why he chose IU over offers from blue bloods like Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas. His reasoning was simple, yet powerful: “They had a plan for everything.”
Harris, a five-star recruit ranked No. 8 in the nation by ESPN, has long been considered one of the most versatile players in the 2025 class. Known for his explosive first step, defensive tenacity, and smooth pull-up jumper, Harris was a priority target for nearly every major Division I program. But IU’s head coach, Mike Woodson, and his staff made an impression early — and never relented.
“IU wasn’t just recruiting me to play basketball,” Harris said. “They laid out a complete plan — from my role in the offense, to defensive responsibilities, to academic support, even NIL opportunities and how they’d prepare me for the NBA. It wasn’t talk. It was detailed. They showed me film, mock-ups of how I’d be used, and talked through every scenario.”
During his official visit to Bloomington, Harris toured the iconic Assembly Hall, sat in on team strategy sessions, and met with NBA alumni like Victor Oladipo and OG Anunoby. But what sealed the deal wasn’t the glamour — it was the structure. “They had analytics on my game I hadn’t seen before,” he said. “They broke down how I fit into their pace-and-space offense and how my defense could anchor their backcourt. They even had strength programs designed specifically for me.”
Off the court, Harris and his family were equally impressed. IU’s business school laid out a custom academic track centered around entrepreneurship, aligning with Harris’s post-basketball ambitions. The Hoosiers’ NIL team presented a blueprint for brand-building — showing projections, marketing partnerships, and even mock social campaigns. “They were two steps ahead in every conversation,” his mother, Camille Harris, shared. “It felt like they truly knew who Josh was — not just as a player, but as a person.”
While some fans were surprised by Harris choosing IU over perennial powerhouses, insiders weren’t. IU has been steadily rebuilding under Woodson, blending veteran leadership with elite young talent. With Harris now joining their 2025 class, expectations are rising — fast.
In the end, Harris’s decision wasn’t about hype or headlines. It was about vision. “They didn’t promise me a starting spot,” he said with a grin. “They promised me development, structure, and accountability. That’s how you win. That’s how you grow. And that’s why I’m going to be a Hoosier.”
As IU fans erupted on social media, one thing became clear: Harris isn’t just a commit — he’s a cornerstone. And Indiana, it seems, had a plan for that too.
