When the sun sets in Indiana, it’s already midnight in Belgrade. And yet, while most of Serbia sleeps, 19-year-old Aleksa Ristic has been dreaming — not of superstardom in Europe’s elite leagues, but of donning candy stripes under the blazing lights of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Now, that dream is real.
Ristic, a rising Serbian playmaker and professional standout for KK Dynamic in the Basketball League of Serbia, has committed to Indiana basketball for the 2025-26 season. His decision sends a jolt of international flair into a Hoosier program already on the rise under new head coach Darian DeVries.
But how did a young man from Eastern Europe, who once thought college basketball in the U.S. wasn’t even an option, decide to plant his flag in Bloomington?
The answer is layered — a compelling mix of tradition, timing, and trust.
An Ocean Away, a Spark Ignites
Growing up in Serbia, Ristic rarely watched college basketball live. The six-hour time difference made it difficult. But as he matured, the whispers of college basketball’s intensity, its passionate fan bases, and its unrivaled gameday atmospheres found him anyway.
What began as curiosity turned into fascination — and eventually, conviction.
“The more and more I heard about it,” Ristic said, “I 100% wanted to do it.”
By the time the calendar flipped to 2024, Ristic had shifted from observer to believer. He was no longer just intrigued by the idea of playing in America—he was ready to chase it.
And that chase led him straight into the heart of the Midwest.
The Courtship: A Tradition Unlike Any Other
Indiana didn’t just recruit Ristic—they captivated him.
From the moment the Hoosiers entered the conversation, Ristic found himself pulled toward Bloomington by the gravitational force of Indiana’s basketball heritage. The banners. The legacy. The echoes of Assembly Hall.
“Indiana has a pretty good basketball history,” he said, understating what many would call sacred. “I knew I would develop there.”
Other programs took notice, of course. Kansas, Oregon, and Georgia Tech were in pursuit. But none offered the perfect blend of culture, coaching, and opportunity quite like Indiana.
Head coach Darian DeVries, fresh off a 10-win turnaround at West Virginia, played a pivotal role. So did Ristic’s conversations with his representative, Stevan Petrovic of Agency 55.
“They need a player like me,” Ristic recalled from his talks with DeVries. “They made me feel like I could really grow there.”
A Serbian Star in the Making
At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Ristic brings a pro-ready frame, a refined skill set, and the poise of someone who has already competed at a high level.
This past season for KK Dynamic, he averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game, shooting nearly 47% from the field, a sizzling 39% from three, and over 83% from the line. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.98 would’ve ranked second-best on Indiana’s roster last season.
In a world obsessed with “3-and-D” guards, Ristic offers something even more valuable: complete control. His game is as cerebral as it is confident. He thrives in the pick-and-roll, can create off the bounce, knock down open jumpers, and orchestrate an offense with maturity beyond his years.
“Anything with a screen—I’m pretty good,” he said, matter-of-factly.
Petrovic didn’t hesitate to summarize his client: “The whole package.”
Shades of the Greats
Ristic has his own style, but he studies the best. Two NBA scorers in particular catch his eye: Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker. It’s not just their skill that draws him in, but their calm command of the court, their surgical midrange attacks, and their knack for performing when it matters most.
Don’t be surprised if Ristic brings that same quiet fire to Indiana’s backcourt.
The Road Ahead: Competition, Composure, and Commitment
Ristic will enter a crowded backcourt. He’ll practice alongside six veteran guards, including three redshirt seniors and a trio of juniors. In a world of instant gratification, some might shy away from such competition.
Ristic leans into it.
“Of course, I’m coming there to fight for my position,” he said. “But if my first year doesn’t go well, I’ll stay.”
That patience—so rare in a transfer-heavy era—is part of what makes Ristic a perfect fit for DeVries’ vision. The coaching staff sees him as a combo guard, capable of sliding between the 1 and 2 depending on matchups. His floor vision, defensive intensity, and maturity give him a real shot to carve out minutes sooner than later.
And with four full years of eligibility, the runway is long.
What Comes Next: A Delayed Arrival, Not a Diminished Impact
Ristic will miss the first two months of Indiana’s summer workouts due to national team duties with Serbia’s U20 squad—another badge of honor on his international résumé. But once he arrives in Bloomington later this summer, expect him to attack the opportunity with the same surgical precision he brings to the hardwood.
He isn’t just another name on the roster.
He’s a chess piece.
A builder’s block.
A blueprint for what Indiana basketball under Darian DeVries hopes to become.
Final Word: A Global Gamble That Feels Like Fate
Aleksa Ristic once wondered whether American college basketball was even in the cards.
Now, he’s stepping into one of the sport’s most hallowed halls with a game that’s ready to turn heads and a mindset made for the grind.
He didn’t choose Indiana because it was the easiest path. He chose it because it felt like destiny.
And destiny, in candy stripes, looks pretty dangerous.
