Indiana basketball’s backcourt in the 2024-25 season will look much different with impact additions like Stanford transfer guard Kanaan Carlyle. The reigning Pac-12 All-Freshman Team selection spent one season playing with the Cardinal before entering the portal in March and committing to Indiana a month later.

Carlyle, 247Sports’ No. 15-ranked transfer and No. 1-ranked combo guard, played in 23 games and made 16 starts as a freshman. He averaged 11.5 points, 2.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. Carlyle shot 38.6 percent from the field, 32.0 percent from 3-point range and 77.6 percent at the free throw line.

Carlyle, an Overtime Elite product from Atlanta, had ties to IU assistant coach Yasir Rosemond as a high school prospect, along with fellow incoming transfer guard Myles Rice. Carlyle said his pre-existing relationship with Rosemond helped in his recruitment to IU, and his familiarity with Rice was also a factor.

Carlyle is expected to fill a major role for the Hoosiers this fall due to his up-tempo style of play. As a high school recruit, he was ranked No. 59 nationally and the No. 9 shooting guard in the 2023 class by 247Sports.

Carlyle forms a talented Indiana backcourt which includes Rice, fifth-year senior Trey Galloway, sophomore Gabe Cupps, senior Anthony Leal and redshirt freshman Jakai Newton.

247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein evaluated Carlyle as a transfer:

“Kanaan Carlyle entered the transfer portal following his freshman season at Stanford. The scoring guard missed the first month of the season for what was reported as academic reasons, but made an immediate impact when debuting in December, including a 28-point outburst against Arizona in his fourth game. He finished the year having started 16 of 23 games and averaging 25.6 minutes, 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

“Carlyle was unable to sustain the same shooting prowess from behind the three-point line that he showed in December, and ultimately saw his percentage dip down to 32% from that range. He was, however, an increasingly versatile scoring threat, if not always an efficient one, as he attempted 33% of his shots at the rim and 42% in the mid-range area per Pivot Analysis.”

247Sports analyst Travis Branham wrote this about Carlyle:

“Kanaan Carlyle missed the first month of the season but came in and immediately made an impact and impression in his first season. He’s a very athletic, tough and competitive guard who is wired to score. He needs to improve his decision-making and efficiency, but with three years to play, there’s time for him to figure it out and become a major contributor.”

MORE CONTENT ON CARLYLE:

— READ | Indiana basketball transfer portal commitment: Stanford guard Kanaan Carlyle

— READ | Kanaan Carlyle participating in invite-only Chris Paul Elite Guard Camp

— READ | ‘You win with great guard play’: Mike Woodson wanted and secured better guards this spring

— READ | How do transfers Kanaan Carlyle, Oumar Ballo, and Myles Rice fit with the Hoosiers?