Former South Florida forward Michael Durr transferring to IU

Jerome Hunter’s departure last week opened a scholarship for Indiana to use next season — and it didn’t take long for the Hoosiers to fill it.

Former South Florida forward Michael Durr announced Monday morning that he’ll transfer to Indiana, giving the Hoosiers some added frontcourt depth in coach Mike Woodson’s first season. Durr, who will be immediately eligible, was originally set to transfer to Virginia Tech before he decided to reopen his recruitment last week. IU swooped in, secured his commitment and found a backup big to replace Joey Brunk, who transferred to Ohio State earlier this spring.

Durr started 85 of the 87 games he played for the Bulls, shooting 47% from the field and 62% from the free throw line for his career. Last year, the 250-pound native of Atlanta set career bests in points per game (8.8), free throw percentage (79%), rebounds per game (7.9), offensive rebounding percentage (12.0), defensive rebounding percentage (23.1), and turnover percentage (14.5). He also scored a career-high 18 points in a game against Wichita State on March 6.

When Brunk transferred, incoming freshman Logan Duncomb was set to be the primary backup to Trayce-Jackson Davis. Now, Durr can come off the bench to spell the All-American without the Hoosiers having to worry about rushing Duncomb into action before he’s fully ready. And it will certainly help IU to have a big body to contend with some of the more physical post players in the league — an area where the Hoosiers missed the injured Brunk last season.

Durr is the third transfer to pick IU this offseason, following the commitments of former Pitt point guard Xavier Johnson and Northwestern forward Miller Kopp.