In a move that’s bound to shake up the Big Ten, Phoenix Stotijn, the electric Dutch guard who flashed brilliance in flashes at Arkansas, has officially committed to the Indiana Hoosiers women’s basketball program. The 5-foot-9 floor general from Amsterdam is bringing her international pedigree and untapped potential to Bloomington — and the hype is very, very real.
From Razorback to Hoosier: A Strategic Rebirth
Stotijn’s freshman season in Fayetteville was a rollercoaster — and not without its drama. After enrolling midyear during the 2023-24 campaign, she suited up for 21 games, starting 12, while averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in nearly 26 minutes per game. Notably, she lit up Texas A&M for a career-high 23 points in March, offering a thrilling glimpse of what she’s capable of when she catches fire.
Despite those flashes, Arkansas spiraled to a disappointing 10-22 record (3-14 in SEC play), and head coach Mike Neighbors was shown the door. Stotijn, looking for a fresh start, saw Indiana as the perfect environment to evolve — not just as a player, but as a game-changer.
A Global Game, Local Impact
What makes Stotijn so tantalizing is her proven international experience. She’s not just another Power Five transfer — she’s a certified bucket on the European stage. Representing the Netherlands U18 National Team, she poured in 15 points per game at the 2023 European Championships, including a jaw-dropping 27-point eruption against the United Kingdom, where she buried 7-of-9 from deep in just 20 minutes. Lethal.
Her résumé includes a standout performance at the FIBA 3×3 U17 Europe Cup and dominant numbers with her club team, Triple Threat, in Holland — where she averaged 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting a blistering 41.2% from the floor. She is no stranger to big moments on big stages.
What This Means for Indiana
For Teri Moren and the Hoosiers, this isn’t just a portal win — it’s a strategic coup. Stotijn arrives with three years of eligibility, raw talent, international savvy, and a competitive fire that could make her a cornerstone in Indiana’s backcourt rebuild. And let’s not forget: she’s only just begun to scratch the surface of her ceiling.
While her shooting splits at Arkansas — 31.7% FG, 26% from three, and 52.4% from the stripe — show clear room for growth, the context matters. Inconsistent usage, a team in flux, and mid-season acclimation are hardly the ideal setup for a breakout. But with a stable program like Indiana, and a coach known for player development, this could be the perfect crucible for Stotijn to explode.
The Verdict: Buckle Up, Big Ten
Phoenix Stotijn is a name you’ll want to remember — and fast. She’s fearless, fast, and fundamentally sound, with international flair and a killer instinct when the lights are brightest. Indiana may have just added a sparkplug to ignite its future, and if her trajectory holds, the Big Ten better brace itself for a European invasion led by a Hoosier in orange and blue.
The countdown has begun — and Phoenix is ready to rise.
