Indiana
Indiana high school basketball player rankings: Top 30 in-state prospects in Class of 2026
The high school basketball season is here. Practices started Monday and the games will begin (for some) in two weeks. The 2026 senior class is a solid group with established talent and others looking for a breakthrough season. Here are the top 30 prospects – ranked primarily on college potential, along with production as a high school player – by IndyStar Preps Insider Kyle Neddenriep (this does not include players who have left state for prep school):
1. Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon
You probably will not find much debate about the top spot after the Purdue recruit put on a show during his junior season, leading the Marauders to a 21-6 season and a Class 4A semistate championship appearance. The 6-2 lefty point guard averaged 22.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a junior, shooting 44.8% (73-for-163) from the 3-point line. Ertel committed to Purdue almost a year-and-a-half ago over offers from Butler, UAB and Wake Forest. The four-star prospect is ranked No. 41 in the national rankings by 247sports.
2. Noah Smith, Plainfield
The 6-8 Smith, a DePaul commit, averaged 16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game for a 16-8 team as a junior. He should improve on his 3-point shooting as a senior (20-for-62 last season). Smith, who is ranked No. 89 in the class nationally by 247sports, picked the Blue Demons over offers from Ball State, Belmont, Indiana State, New Mexico, Oklahoma State, Xavier and several others. He and his team should be poised for a big season.
3. Kai McGrew, Fishers
There was some question if the 6-9 McGrew would be eligible after he was initially ruled to have limited eligibility by the IHSAA after his transfer from Lawrence North. But he was cleared by the case review panel and will be an impact player for Fishers after averaging 14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season to help the Wildcats to a 22-7 record and Class 4A semistate championship game appearance. He shot 17-for-42 from the 3-point line. McGrew, who is uncommitted, has offers from Kent State, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, San Francisco, Southeast Missouri State, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and UT-Arlington.
4. Justin Curry, Noblesville
The 6-4 Curry, a Valparaiso commit, averaged 15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.7 assists as a junior on a 19-6 team that lost to state finalist Fishers in the sectional championship. He shot 32.6% from the 3-point line last season but is certainly capable of hitting at a higher rate this season. After his junior season, Curry picked up offers from Iona, Murray State, Nevada, Purdue Fort Wayne, UT-Martin and UT-Rio Grande Valley. He can get hot and light it up in a hurry.
5. Dikembe Shaw, Crown Point
The 6-6 Shaw, an Illinois-Chicago commit, is one of the best all-round players on this list. He averaged 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a junior to earn core Junior All-Star honors. Shaw shot 50% from the field overall, including 37.9% from the 3-point line and 78.8% from the free-throw line as a junior. Crown Point should be one of the best teams in Class 4A last year after going 23-3 and playing in the semistate championship last year.
6. Baron Walker, Noblesville
The 6-3 Walker did not have a Division I offer until May but it quickly ramped up from there and he committed to Butler in late July. He averaged 15.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a junior, helping the Millers to a 19-6 record. Walker shot 50% from the field, including 40.2% from the 3-point line (37-for-92) and 82% from the free-throw line. He also typically guards the best player on the other team.
7. Terrence Hayes Jr., Gary 21st Century
The 6-1 lefty guard, a Missouri State commit, is an athletic point guard who runs the show for Gary 21st Century, which is coming off a 21-7 season and Class 2A semistate championship game appearance. Hayes averaged 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.4 steals per game to earn Junior All-Star honors last season and shot 40% (46-for-115) from the 3-point line. He picked Missouri State over Murray State, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma State, Saint Louis and others.
8. Jashawn Ladd, Ben Davis
The 6-4 Ladd picked Akron over offers from Ball State, Indiana State, IU Indy, Kent State, Miami (Ohio) and Robert Morris in August after an official visit. He averaged a team-high 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals as a junior for a 17-9 team. Ladd is one of the best outside shooters in the class, connecting at 41.4% from the 3-point line last season, and also one of the best athletes.
9. Brennan Miller, Lawrence North
The 6-7 Miller, a Southern Illinois-Edwardsville commit, averaged 13.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game as a junior. He shot 58% from the field, including 12-for-34 (35.3%) from the 3-point line, and 69% from the free-throw line. Miller will have a bigger role for the Wildcats this year after Azavier Robinson graduated and transfers Kai McGrew and Jamar Thomas.
10. Dane Caldwell, Silver Creek
The 6-9 Caldwell, a Richmond commit, saw his stock rise in the spring after a junior year averaging 9.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocked shots and 1.0 steals per game for a team that finished 22-5 and played for a 3A sectional title. Caldwell shot 59% from the field, including 12-for-30 from the 3-point line. The Dragons will be among the best teams in 3A this season. Caldwell picked Richmond over Akron, Ball State, Bellarmine, Bradley, Buffalo, Coastal Carolina, East Tennessee State and Miami (Ohio).
11. Drew Haffner, Westfield
The 6-4 Haffner, an Abilene Christian commit, led Westfield in scoring last year as he averaged 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists and shot an outstanding 48% (48-for-100) from the 3-point line. Haffner will lead a Westfield team that was 18-4 last year and played Fishers to a seven-point game in the first round of the sectional. Haffner’s older brother, Cam, is playing at Western Kentucky.
12. Evan Harrell, Carmel
The 6-8 Harrell, a Bellarmine recruit, averaged 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists as a junior, though he was limited to 16 games due to injury. He shot 47% from the field, including 12-for-34 (35.3%) from the 3-point line, and 75% from the free-throw line. Everything looks to be in place for Harrell to have a big senior season.
13. Nick Shrewsberry, South Bend St. Joseph
The 6-4 Shrewsberry, who committed to Notre Dame to play for his father, Micah, averaged 13.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game as a junior, shooting 36.3% (78-for-215) from the 3-point line for the Class 3A state champions. His brother Braeden averaged 14.0 points and shot 37% from the 3-point line last season for Notre Dame.
14. Anthony Fresh, Charlestown
The 6-4 Fresh, a Miami (Ohio) recruit, averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game as a junior for Charlestown, a Class 3A program that finished 18-6. He shot 54% from the field, including 39.1% from the 3-point line (45-for-115). Fresh also had a Division I offer from Bellarmine.
15. Kasen Daeger, Silver Creek
The 6-3 Daeger, a Stony Brook commit, averaged 16.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as a junior, shooting 39.6% (57-for-144) from the 3-point line for the 22-5 Dragons last season. Daeger will be a big part of a Silver Creek team that should be among the best in Class 3A this season.
16. Julien Smith, Cathedral
The 6-foot Smith, a Mount St. Mary’s recruit, was highly productive in his junior season at Cathedral, averaging 13.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and shooting 42.2% (62-for-147) from the 3-point line. Smith played his first two seasons at Mt. Vernon, averaging 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a sophomore.
17. Sherman Moss-Wright, Ben Davis
The 6-4 Moss-Wright, a University of Indianapolis recruit, averaged 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season as a junior for the 17-9 Giants. Moss-Wright is a big, physical point guard. He should be able to improve on his outside shooting from last year (18-for-62) for a team that should be among the best in 4A.
18. Keaton Aldridge Jr., Cathedral
The 6-4 Aldridge, a Detroit Mercy recruit, is a physical player on both ends of the floor. He averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals to fill the stat sheet for the 20-5 Fighting Irish as a junior. He shot 50% from the field and improved as an outside shooter, going 15-for-42 from the 3-point line.
19. Mason Darrell, Crown Point
The 6-2 guard, a Bellarmine commit, is a fiery competitor who averaged 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals as a junior for the Bulldogs, who went 23-3 and played in the Class 4A semistate championship. Darrell is also one of the better 3-point shooters on this list, hitting 41% from the 3-point line as a junior (55-for-134).
20. Dorion Bowen, Evansville Bosse
The 6-5 guard, a transfer from Memphis Whitehaven, is an exciting addition for Bosse. After playing on a 32-4 team that reached the Class 4A semifinals in Tennessee, Bowen will join a Bosse team that was 9-15 last season. Bowen has picked up offers from Georgia Southern, Southern Indiana and Southern Miss.
21. Korbyn Hammel, Kokomo
The 6-3 Hammel averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game for a Kokomo team that finished 17-8. He was offered by Eastern Michigan last June. Hammel will look to improve his 3-point shooting (28.4%) as a senior. He averaged 6.9 points, 2.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds as a sophomore.
22. Reggie Hinton III, Gary West Side
The 5-11 Hinton is a quick, explosive point guard who can dictate the pace with his offense and defense. He helped Gary West to a 17-7 season and Class 3A sectional championship appearance last season. Hinton has offers from Northern Illinois and Johnson C. Smith University.
23: Brady Klopfenstein, Terre Haute North
The 6-7 Klopfenstein, a Bellarmine commit, averaged 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists as a junior for a 21-6 team that won a Class 4A regional championship last season. He can stretch the floor as a 3-point shooter, hitting 42.9% (54-for-126) as a junior.
The 6-7 Kalala averaged 10.4 points and 8.1 rebounds as a junior last season, shooting 56% from the field and 71% from the free-throw line for a Southport team that finished 12-12. Kalala, who has 699 career points, has offers from Indiana Tech, Marian, Saint Francis and Spring Arbor.
25: Edwin Holmes, Princeton
The 6-7 Holmes averaged 16.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.7 blocked shots and 1.9 steals per game for the 24-3 Class 3A regional champs. Holmes, who has already reached 1,000 career points, is uncommitted for college.
26: Brady Scholl, Northridge
The 6-7 Scholl averaged 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 blocked shots per game as a junior, shooting 40% from the 3-point line. The Indiana Wesleyan commit leads a team coming off a 21-4 season.
27: Tyrese Jones, South Bend Riley
The 5-11 Jones, a transfer from closed South Bend Clay last season, opened eyes with a 45-point game in the Class 4A regional. Averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a junior.
28: Treigh Schelsky, Parke Heritage
The 6-foot guard, a Huntington commit, averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals as a junior for a 25-5 team that played in the Class 2A semistate championship. He has 1,398 career points.
29: Jedidiah Minnett, Avon
The 6-foot Minnett is one of the best outside shooters in the class. He averaged 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a junior, shooting 36.4% from the 3-point line. Has an offer from Saint Francis.
30: Ethan Roseman, South Bend St. Joseph
The 6-1 point guard made a nice adjustment from his previous school of Bishop Chatard in his first year at St. Joseph, helping the Huskies to a 27-3 season and Class 3A state title. Roseman averaged 10.6 points, 7.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Has offers from DePauw, Holy Cross College and Marian.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
PLAINFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Suspects fled a Plainfield bank after it was robbed Tuesday afternoon, police say.
Plainfield Police Department was called at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday to the robbery of a bank in progress at Chase Bank, 807 Southfield Drive. That’s southwest of the intersection of Quaker Boulevard and Stafford Road/East County Road 450 South in the Hendricks County town.
Deputy Chief Ryan Salisbury of the Plainfield Police Department said detectives were working on the case.
The police department posted on social media on Tuesday night that no one was hurt in the robbery, and the suspects, who were not in custody, fled prior to the arrival of first responders.
INDIANAPOLIS — Sophie Cunningham wants to emphasize she’s perfectly happy with the Indiana Fever. She just wishes she could be locked down longer.
Cunningham, who signed a one-year, $665,000 deal with the Indiana Fever for 2026, said on her podcast, “Show Me Something,” on Tuesday night that she was frustrated with the free agency process in the condensed offseason.
She shook her head vehemently when her co-host West Wilson asked if the contract was better than she thought it would be, then said in part, “It’s tough because I came off an injury … I’m not even going to lie to you, that’s a little, kind of, frustrating.”
Fans on social media largely took that as she did not get interest from other teams, she didn’t want to return to the Fever, or she was unhappy with the salary she got.
She shut those thoughts down on social media Monday night, then expounded on her frustrations with local media at Fever training camp on Tuesday morning.
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“I think Twitter kind of blew up last night about a comment I made on my podcast. But that wasn’t what I meant at all,” Cunningham said. “I think if you listen to the full clip, you really understand that I just wanted to be somewhere for more than one year. I’m almost 30 years old. I want to have a home. I want to get established. And I would love to get established in a place like Indiana.”
The Fever prioritized as much financial flexibility as possible this offseason because of the new EPIC clause, which allows both Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark to renegotiate their fourth-year salaries up to the max with an extension. Boston’s salary was bumped to $1 million in 2025, and she will make the supermax from 2027-29. Clark is eligible to negotiate up to the max in 2027, and both Clark and Boston could be making the supermax starting in 2028.
Only Lexie Hull and Monique Billings got major multi-year deals with the Fever out of free agency. Hull signed for $765,000 in 2026 and $803,250 in 2027, per Her Hoop Stats, while Billings got $800,000 for both 2026 and 2027. Damiris Dantas is the only other player that got a multi-year deal out of free agency, but that was for the minimum cap hit of $277,500.
Kelsey Mitchell signed a one-year, $1.4 million supermax, Cunningham returned on a one-year deal, and Myisha Hines-Allen and Tyasha Harris each signed one-year deals.
Cunningham added that she got multi-year offers from other teams, but chose to stay with Indiana on a one-year deal.
She wanted to return to Indiana, she said, because of friendships she created with her teammates and the potential they showed, even after six separate season-ending injuries on the roster. She is also closer to her hometown of Columbia, Missouri.
“When you find a group of girls who really make you fall in love with basketball games and you enjoy it, you enjoy them, not only on the court, but off the court, like, you want to hold on to that,” Cunningham said. “ … it was never about the money, it was just about the years, because I wanted to be with them. And God forbid a girl loves her teammates, you know what I mean?”
Cunningham is also coming off a major knee injury after she tore her MCL in August 2025. She was ruled out for the rest of the 2025 season and got surgery in Indianapolis, then had a six-month rehab process before she was cleared in February.
Since then, she has been ramping back up as much as possible, including playing one-on-one, three-on-three, plyometrics, and everything she does to get ready for a regular season.
Still, she said, she’ll need to actually play to get back into full basketball shape.
“Basketball shape is just different,” Cunningham said. “You can run as many suicides as you want, you can get your butt kicked however you want, but until you’re out here playing, you’re never fully going to be in game shape until you’re playing games.”
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
CLOVERDALE, Ind. (WKRC) – Authorities in Indiana found a semi trailer loaded up with hundreds of pounds of suspected cocaine.
According to a statement issued by the Indiana State Police (ISP), 27-year-old Harmandeep Singh of Bakersfield, California was taken into custody after nearly 400 pounds of suspected cocaine were reportedly found in the trailer of a commercial truck.
Per the statement, an ISP trooper seized the suspected cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 70 in Putnam County, authorities said.
The stop occurred Tuesday morning near the 37-mile marker, just east of Cloverdale, after a commercial motor vehicle was observed exceeding the posted speed limit.
Police said Singh displayed several indicators of possible criminal activity during the encounter. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, troopers discovered multiple duffel bags and cardboard boxes in the trailer containing approximately 392 pounds (178 kilograms) of suspected cocaine.
Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs at about $9 million.
Singh was taken into custody and taken to the Putnam County Jail, where he is being held on a $30,000 cash bond.
He faces the following preliminary charges, per the post:
- Possession of a narcotic drug
Formal charges will be determined by the Putnam County prosecutor.
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Indiana State Police said drug interdiction remains a priority, with troopers focusing on major highways to disrupt the flow of illegal narcotics into the state.
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