Indiana sophomore forward Malik Reneau will return to Bloomington for the 2024-25 season. Reneau announced his decision on the Hoosier Hysterics podcast. It's a big boost for Mike Woodson and the Hoosiers in what is expected to be a busy offseason.

On Tuesday, Payton Sparks, Kaleb Banks and CJ Gunn entered the transfer portal. Those departures leave the Hoosiers with six open scholarships for next season, not including the potential departure of Kel'el Ware to the NBA draft.

Reneau, who earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from the conference's coaches and media, was second on the Hoosiers in scoring (15.6), rebounding (6.0) and assists (2.7) this season. Reneau has outstanding footwork and finishing ability. He’s added face-up offense to his game, and that will probably keep developing. No starter drew more fouls per 40 minutes this winter.

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He was a reliable go-to source of offense in the post, but his issue with fouling caused some consternation. The Big Ten's leader in fouls per game, Reneau had at least four fouls 15 times and fouled out seven times this season, including in the season-ending loss to Nebraska in the Big Ten quarterfinals.

"Teams had a lot of ups and downs this year, lot of injuries, we had a lot of stuff not go our way," Reneau said after IU's Big Ten tournament loss, fighting back tears in the locker room. "I love all my teammates. We had a great season and I'm going to leave it at that for now."

A top-40 recruit out of Montverde Academy (Fla.), Reneau saw a big jump in production from his freshman (6.1 ppg) to sophomore season with the departures of Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson. In fact, it was the largest season-over-season points increase in the Big Ten this season.

Reneau joins Trey Galloway and Anthony Leal as players we know will return next season.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana basketball sophomore Malik Reneau to return to IU for 2024-25