Indiana Basketball 2025-26 Scouting Reports: Sam Alexis

As a freshman at Chattanooga, Alexis registered 11.8 minutes per game, scoring 5.0 points and snagging 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 52.1 percent from the field. 

Taking a massive leap as a sophomore, Alexis averaged 10.8 points (55.0 percent from the field) and 9.1 rebounds, but, most impressively, blocked a conference-leading 2.1 shots per game. He earned All-Southern honors, along with being named to the Southern All-Defense team. 

Using that second-year campaign as a launching board to a high-major program, Alexis wound up at Florida, in the midst of a stacked frontcourt. He played just 11.9 minutes per game, while averaging 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds, but was a valuable back-end rotational player on the national champions.

His game

Ultra-lengthy and semi-springy, Alexis has that coveted combination of size and athleticism at the forward position. He’s a constant lob-threat and all-around solid finisher at the basket. Not exactly the focal point of a team’s offensive scheme, Alexis’ impact is felt elsewhere. 

He can score in the post (Alexis loves a drop-step to his left hand or a baby-hook with the right) and facilitates extremely well from the mid-post – especially on back cuts – but he’s most effective doing the dirty work. Putbacks, finishing drop-offs, rim-running, rebounding and blocking shots (more on that later) is where Alexis shines. 

He’s still shown a jumper, but is a career 28.6 percent shooter from deep. In the same vein, Alexis has showcased driving ability, but it’s not quite a strong suit. 

Defensively, though, he’s an absolute menace. He has great lateral agility at his size to keep opponents in front, but thrives as a shot-blocker and glass-cleaner. His raw numbers are impressive, but his effect goes beyond the basic stats. 

A true shot-deterrer, Alexis can send back shots as the on-ball defender, or in help. The kind of presence always felt by offensive players, Alexis often discourages offensive players from even attacking the basket, let alone putting up a shot. 

As a rebounder, Alexis is the full package: next-level effort and grit, size, athleticism and anticipation – hence his 9.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

What they’re saying

“The thing that I like the best is his rebounding effort night-in and night-out. He’s playing more controlled and that’s big for a sophomore. He’s going to continue to get better,” said Chattanooga head coach Dan Earl following a 22-point, 15-rebound performance from Alexis in his sophomore year.

What we expect

Alexis has the ability to work himself into the starting lineup, but will likely start his season in a sixth-man role. Expect Alexis to be one of the first Hoosiers off the bench in every game, making his impact felt as a rim-protector and rebounder on defense, while giving Indiana a post presence and play-finisher on offense – at the bare minimum.

Now, if his jumper comes around – and considering his mechanics are encouraging enough, that’s a real possibility – then Alexis would immediately slide into the starting lineup, and would potentially become a primary piece of Indiana’s attack on both ends.