Tayton Conerway, the 2024–25 Sun Belt Player of the Year and a standout transfer from Troy, emerged as one of the premier mid-major guards in college basketball last season.
The 6-foot-3 Burleson, Texas native put together an impressive all-around season, averaging 14.2 points, 4.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.9 steals per game while logging 30.3 minutes. He played a pivotal role in Troy’s 23-win campaign that included a Sun Belt tournament title and the program’s first NCAA tournament berth since 2017.
Conerway was highly efficient, shooting 57.9 percent on two-pointers. According to KenPom.com, he ranked 20th in the nation in assist rate and was third in total steals with 98. His two-way impact made him a top target for new Indiana head coach Darian DeVries during the offseason transfer cycle.
On defense, Conerway’s instincts and timing make him a disruptive force both on-ball and in passing lanes.
“He’s got a natural feel and understanding of positioning,” DeVries told Inside the Hall. “He’s one of those guys you trust with more freedom because of how sharp his instincts are. When an opponent turns their back, he’s gone he’ll just pounce.”
DeVries compared Conerway to Chucky Hepburn, a former Wisconsin guard who transferred to Louisville. The coach noted that like Hepburn, Conerway has a knack for creating defensive plays out of nowhere though finding the right balance between gambling for steals and sticking to positioning will be part of the development process this summer.
Offensively, Conerway excels at driving into the paint either finishing with his strong frame or kicking the ball out to shooters when the lane collapses. He’s not shy about threading difficult passes to find open teammates.
“He’s incredibly creative with the ball,” DeVries said. “You have to let some of those risky passes go because that flair is part of what makes him special.”
Though Conerway has shot just 29.2 percent from beyond the arc in his Division I career, Indiana’s roster of capable shooters should reduce the pressure on him to score from deep. That wasn’t the case at Troy, where the team hit just 30.1 percent from three-point range ranking near the bottom nationally.
On film, Conerway’s ability to consistently penetrate the defense stood out. DeVries believes that skill will translate well in Bloomington, creating high-percentage shots for himself and open looks for the Hoosiers’ perimeter threats.
“When you’re building the roster, that ability to break down a defense and get into the paint stood out to me,” DeVries said. “He’s more athletic than people think, and when he drives, he’s great at finding shooters. I think he’s got a chance to be really impactful for us.”
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