Picture this: a basketball player whose grit and determination light up the court, even if his stats don't scream for attention. Conor Enright, gearing up for his senior year with Indiana University in the 2025-26 season, embodies the kind of selfless hustle that could redefine what it means to be a winner in college hoops. But stick around – because his journey to Bloomington is full of twists that might just spark a debate or two among fans.
As the college basketball season kicks into high gear, we've shifted our focus from scouting other Big Ten teams (check out our previews here: https://www.insidethehall.com/tag/2025-26-big-ten-preview/) to diving deep into the players shaping the 2025-26 IU roster (explore the full list at: https://www.insidethehall.com/2025-2026-indiana-basketball-roster/).
Our spotlight today shines on senior Conor Enright, continuing our series of individual player spotlights.
Catch up on the profiles we've covered so far: Andrej Acimovic (https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/10/06/2025-26-iu-basketball-player-profile-andrej-acimovic/), Trent Sisley (https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/10/07/2025-26-iu-basketball-player-profile-trent-sisley/), Aleksa Ristic (https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/10/08/2025-26-iu-basketball-player-profile-aleksa-ristic/), Josh Harris (https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/10/09/2025-26-iu-basketball-player-profile-josh-harris/), Jasai Miles (https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/10/10/2025-26-iu-basketball-player-profile-jasai-miles/), Nick Dorn (https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/10/13/2025-26-iu-basketball-player-profile-nick-dorn/), Jason Drake (https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/10/14/2025-26-iu-basketball-player-profile-jason-drake/), and Lamar Wilkerson (https://www.insidethehall.com/2025/10/15/2025-26-iu-basketball-player-profile-lamar-wilkerson/).
Enright stands out as one of just two players on the roster who have previous experience under coach Darian DeVries, making his return to Bloomington feel like a homecoming of sorts. He joins IU after a solid stint at DePaul during the previous year, where he adapted quickly despite some challenges.
Hailing from Mundelein, Illinois, the 6-foot-1 guard committed to DeVries at Drake University back in the 2021 recruiting cycle. For clarity, if you're new to college sports, recruiting classes refer to the groups of incoming players each year, and DeVries had already been rebuilding the Drake program for three seasons at that point. The Bulldogs had just wrapped up an impressive 26-5 record and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament, setting a high bar for success.
Enright chose to redshirt his first year at Drake – a common strategy where a player practices with the team but doesn't compete in games to preserve eligibility and build strength – before becoming a key contributor in the Missouri Valley Conference (a strong mid-major league known for competitive basketball). As a redshirt freshman, he was named to the MVC All-Freshman team, even though his numbers like 4.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game might seem modest. What truly stood out was his intangible contributions: the little plays, like smart passes or defensive stops, that often tip the scales in tight games. Think of it as the unsung hero who sets up the slam dunk rather than taking the shot himself.
Coach DeVries, speaking to Inside the Hall during the off-season, captured Enright's spirit perfectly: 'I think he’s just one of those guys that plays like every possession’s the last possession of the game. He plays incredibly hard. He loves to compete. He’s fast, he’s got a little flare to him. I think fans are going to enjoy the way he approaches the game.'
By his sophomore season, Enright stepped up to start all 33 games, helping Drake to a 28-7 record. He upped his averages to 6.9 points, 3.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and a steal per game while logging 26.1 minutes. This progression shows how his role evolved, proving he could handle more responsibility on a winning team.
And this is the part most people miss – or perhaps overlook. When DeVries departed for West Virginia after the 2023-24 season, Enright didn't follow him to Morgantown. Instead, he opted to stay closer to home by transferring to DePaul. But here's where it gets controversial: Was it purely about proximity, or did deeper factors like team dynamics or personal goals play a role? Some might argue it was a smart move for family ties, while others could see it as missing a shot at a bigger spotlight. What do you think – loyalty to location over ambition?
Despite dealing with a shoulder injury that shortened his season to just 23 games, Enright still dazzled with 6.2 assists per contest, landing him among the top 16 in the nation for assist rate. This statistic, which measures assists per possession, highlights his knack for creating opportunities for teammates – a skill crucial in team sports.
Unexpectedly, fate brought DeVries and Enright back together when DeVries accepted the IU head coaching position in March. Enright, eyeing a championship-caliber opportunity for his final year, entered the transfer portal. His connection to IU ran deep; his brother Kyle had attended school in Bloomington, sparking Enright's early admiration for the program.
As Enright shared, 'Honestly, I was a fan of Indiana just because of my brother (Kyle) going there. I kind of always liked Indiana and they didn’t have a coach, so I thought it was an option depending on who got the job. And then coach (Darian) DeVries gets the job, who I’ve known since I was 15, so it was kind of a perfect storm in that sense.'
Fully healed from offseason shoulder surgery, Enright is poised to make a significant impact in IU's lineup this winter. He stepped in as a starter during the team's three exhibition games in Puerto Rico, and his familiarity with DeVries' system positions him as a natural leader on the court.
On offense, he's a top-notch playmaker with a career 3-point shooting accuracy of 37.1% – meaning he connects on more than a third of his long-range attempts, which is solid for a guard. Defensively, he's a relentless nuisance, pressuring ball-handlers and disrupting opponents to frustrate them. Whether he locks in as a starter or a crucial backup as the roster fully gels, Enright's focus remains singular: achieving victory.
Reflecting on his motivations last spring, he said, 'I’ve got one year left and I want an opportunity to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. I think with how much I trust coach DeVries, I know he’s a winner and combined with Indiana being a winning program, that’s the perfect combination. Just winning is the biggest thing.'
In summary, Enright is destined to become a crowd-pleaser in Bloomington thanks to his blue-collar mentality. He attacks every moment with intensity and passion, even if his stats don't grab headlines. Expect him to infuse the team with energy and zeal, cherishing every chance to don the IU jersey.
A memorable quote from DeVries sums it up: 'He didn’t score a point in the game, and he dominated the game because he had like eight assists, he dove on the floor three times, he took a couple of charges. Like I just left thinking, ‘I love this kid.’ And he didn’t score a point. But it’s just kind of contagious to everybody else. I think it’s an infectious way to play and I think fans will enjoy him.' – This was after watching Enright's high school debut.
For more insights, dive into our Commentary section (https://www.insidethehall.com/category/commentary/), the 2025-26 season preview (https://www.insidethehall.com/tag/2025-26-season-preview/), or specifically on Conor Enright (https://www.insidethehall.com/tag/conor-enright/).
Now, let's stir the pot a bit: In an era where flashy scorers often steal the spotlight, is there room for players like Enright who prioritize team success over personal glory? Could his style clash with the Big Ten's physical demands, or will it shine brighter? And on that transfer decision – was staying loyal to DeVries worth passing up potential at West Virginia? We'd love to hear your take – agree or disagree in the comments below!
