Indiana Basketball Ties to Duke Transfer Darren Harris

Indiana assistant coach Kenny Johnson's prior connection to the player could aid Hoosiers' recruiting efforts.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:42pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action and intensity of a basketball game, with sharp planes of navy, crimson, and gold intersecting to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic movement and energy of a college basketball game, reflecting the potential recruiting battle for transfer Darren Harris.Fairfax Today

Indiana assistant coach Kenny Johnson has a prior connection to Duke transfer guard Darren Harris through their shared history with the AAU team Team Takeover and St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Virginia. This existing relationship could help Indiana's recruiting efforts as Harris enters the transfer portal following his sophomore season at Duke.

Why it matters

Transfer portal recruitments can move quickly, so having an established relationship with a player can provide an advantage. Johnson's history with Harris from their AAU and high school days gives Indiana a potential edge in landing the talented guard as he looks for a new college home.

The details

Harris was named the 2023-24 Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year while attending St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va., where Johnson was an associate head coach from 2007-11. Harris also played for Team Takeover on the Nike EYBL circuit, where Johnson served as director and head of travel for more than six years. This shared history could aid Indiana's pursuit of Harris, who entered the transfer portal on Tuesday after two seasons at Duke.

  • Harris entered the transfer portal on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, following his sophomore year at Duke.
  • Johnson was an associate head coach at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va. from 2007-2011.

The players

Darren Harris

A 6-foot-6 guard who was a four-star recruit ranked No. 39 overall in the class of 2023. He played his first two college seasons at Duke, where he averaged 3.3 points and 9.7 minutes per game as a sophomore.

Kenny Johnson

An assistant coach for the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team. He previously served as the director and head of travel for the AAU team Team Takeover, and was an associate head coach at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va. from 2007-2011.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Harris will evaluate his options and decide on a new school to continue his college basketball career.

The takeaway

Indiana's existing connection to Darren Harris through assistant coach Kenny Johnson could give the Hoosiers an advantage in recruiting the talented transfer guard as he looks to find a new college home.