Jackson's injury reshapes Hoosiers' depth chart
Indiana women’s basketball confirmed Tuesday that freshman forward Zoe Jackson will sit out the 2026-27 season after a knee injury. The announcement came in a team statement, revealing that the injury occurred during a late July practice. Jackson is scheduled for surgery in the coming weeks and will work with Indiana’s medical staff to begin her recovery. The program expects her to return to action in the 2027-28 season.
Zoe Jackson joined the Hoosiers in January 2026, ahead of the regular academic enrollment, as part of a top-eight recruiting class. The team welcomed her to practice under the guidance of head coach Teri Moren, who is now in her 13th season. With her absence for the upcoming season, the focus shifts to how the team will manage its frontcourt options.
Before joining Indiana, Jackson was a standout in her home country of Australia. She led her high school team, Arndell Anglican College in Oakville, New South Wales, to five regional championships between 2021 and 2025. Her team also won the 2023 National Schools Championships, a prestigious tournament featuring top scholastic teams across Australia.
On the international stage, Jackson earned gold with the Australian Opals in the FIBA U15 Oceanic Cup and the FIBA U16 Asian Cup in 2023. These achievements highlighted her potential as a top-tier prospect. Her arrival was anticipated to boost Indiana’s frontcourt, but her injury has shifted that dynamic.
In her absence, the Hoosiers may look to senior Jess Petrie and junior Zania Socka-Nguemen for support in the frontcourt. Petrie transferred to Indiana from Nebraska this offseason. The team also has Alisa Williams, a fifth-year forward from Iowa State University. However, junior Sydney Fenn, who was expected to contribute, has missed the last two seasons due to a knee injury.
With the 2026-27 season approaching, head coach Teri Moren must now balance the experience of returning players like Petrie and Williams while developing their young talent. The Hoosiers ended the 2025-26 season with an 18-14 overall record and a 6-12 mark in Big Ten play. They will aim to improve their standing in a competitive conference next season.