- Indiana
STATE CHAMPS! SCOUT TEAM: Hoosierland Hoopster Recruiting Heat Index >> The June Jump-Off
Let’s take a look at who’s getting recruiting love on the boys hardwood in the IHSAA in early June:
Scalding hot: D’Ante “Tae” Davis (Lawrence Central 6-foot-6 G/F) — This rising star in the Class of ’22 just picked up his first Big Ten offer from Purdue. He averaged 11 points and five boards per game in 2020 and already has offers from Louisville, Xavier and Butler.
Scorching hot: C.J. Gunn (Lawrence North 6-4 G) — The Wildcats’ lethal-weapon-in-training snatched his first offer from Kansas State over the weekend. Gunn is ready to go volcanic in ’21 and position himself as a candidate in the ’22 Mr. Basketball race.
Getting toasty: Payton Sparks (Winchester 6-10 C) — The most underrated big guy in the state is starting to see real traction develop in his recruiting. Ball State offered last week on the heels of Miami (Ohio) and Toledo. Sparks sheeted 22 points and 12 rebounds a night last season as a junior. He’s long, active and has soft hands.
Approaching a boiling point: Luke Brown (Blackford 6-2 G) — The quintessential gunner out of the backcourt and the state’s leading scorer (33 ppg.) is seeing a lot mid-major and low-major interest lately. SIU-Edwardsville, Stetson, Wofford, Purdue-Ft. Wayne and Niagara and Cleveland St. have all recently offered. Will be a sleeper in the Mr. Basketball race next winter.
About to heat up: Julien Norris (Evansville Bosse 6-3 G) — Explosive finisher, nice touch from deep and a dangerous mid-range pull-up, Norris is generating a buzz that should translate to a frequent stop on the offer train these next two years. As a sophomore in 2020, he put in 13 points per outing. Middle Tennessee St. offered in the spring.
On the verge of hitting the frying pan: Nick Klaiber (Bloomington North 6-1 G) — The most recent in a long line of fearless B-Town floor generals, Klaiber is a gritty competitor and the consummate playmaker at the point. He logged 14 points, four assists and four rebounds a game in his sophomore campaign.
— SCOTT M. BURNSTEIN
