Ballo spoke on messages he’s received and the environment for players.
Indiana’s Oumar Ballo was blunt in an answer reflecting on his lone season with the Hoosiers in 2024-25 following the Hoosiers 72-59 loss to Oregon in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday.
“We come here every single day all we’re trying to do is win for these people,” Ballo said. “We lose one game, two games, the next thing you know your DMs crazy. Like death wishes, death threats, stuff like that. And I hope people, like, they change stuff like that cause this is not helping anybody.”
Ballo added more in a follow-up answer.
“At the end of the day we are human beings, we have feelings, you know,” Ballo said. “Just like you. You wake up, go to work and someone is wishing nothing but the worst for you and your work. It’s mental draining and nobody wanna deal with that for a whole five month season. It’s too much to take in for players and for coaches and I hope, man, that change, man. Cause it’s time. They’re not helping us, they’re not helping anybody.”
Ballo was then asked if he was speaking about Indiana’s fans and had the following to say.
“I’m not talking about the true fans because I know they have our back, but the people who pretend to be fans and want nothing but the worst for the team, I’m talking about those people. If you’re not cheering for us just leave us alone.” Ballo said.
Listen to the full exchange below:
“Death wishes, death threats.” – Indiana Hoosier center Oumar Ballo on interactions over social media this season. “Nobody wants to live like that.”
“I’m not talking about the true fans because I know they have our back. If you’re not cheering for us, leave us alone.” #IUBB pic.twitter.com/t5rN9b0jOo
— Brett Bensley (@brettbensley) March 13, 2025