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Indiana high school basketball player rankings: Top 30 in-state prospects in Class of 2026

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.



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AwardsWatch – Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Awards: ‘Sinners’ Named Best Picture

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AwardsWatch – Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Awards: ‘Sinners’ Named Best Picture


The Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) has named Sinners the best film of 2025, also awarding the film original screenplay, score, cinematography, editing and ensemble.

Paul Thomas Anderson was named best director for One Battle After Another, which also picked up acting wins for Benicio Del Toro (supporting performance) and Chase Infiniti (breakout of the year).

Here is the complete list of winners and runners-up.

Best Picture
Winner: Sinners
Runner-up: One Battle After Another

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Best Director
Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
Runner-up: Ryan Coogler, Sinners

Best Lead Performance
Winner: Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme
Runner-up: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

Best Supporting Performance
Winner: Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another
Runner-up: Amy Madigan, Weapons

Best Vocal / Motion-Capture Performance
Winner: Will Patton, Train Dreams
Runner-up: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Best Ensemble Acting
Winner: Sinners
Runner-up: One Battle After Another

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Best Animated Film
Winner: K-Pop Demon Hunters
Runner-up: The Legend of Hei 2

Best Foreign Language Film
Winner: No Other Choice
Runner-up: Sentimental Value

Best Documentary Film
Winner: The Tenderness Tour
Runner-up: Orwell: 2+2=5

Best Original Screenplay
Winner: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
Runner-up: Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Best Adapted Screenplay
Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another
Runner-up: Mike Flanagan, The Life of Chuck

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Best Musical Score
Winner: Ludwig Göransson, Sinners
Runner-up: Jonny Greenwood, One Battle After Another

Breakout of the Year
Winner: Chase Infiniti (performer), One Battle After Another
Runner-up: Miles Caton (performer), Sinners

Best Cinematography
Winner: Autumn Donald Arkapaw, Sinners
Runner-up: Michael Bauman, One Battle After Another

Best Editing
Winner: Michael P. Shawver, Sinners
Runner-up: Andy Jurgensen, One Battle After Another

Best Stunt / Movement Choreography
Winner: Wade Eastwood (second-unit director / stunt coordinator), Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
Runner-up: Brian Machleit (stunt coordinator), One Battle After Another

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Best Special Effects
Winner: Dennis Berardi, Ayo Burgess and Ivan Busquets (visual effects supervisors) and José Granell (miniatures / models supervisor), Frankenstein
Runner-up: Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl and Guido Wolter (visual effects supervisors) and Donnie Dean (special effects coordinator), Sinners

Original Vision Award
Winner: Good Boy
Runner-up: The Testament of Ann Lee

The Edward Johnson-Ott Hoosier Award
Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another

Erik Anderson
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Police shoots man armed with knife in Gary, Indiana, officials say

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Police shoots man armed with knife in Gary, Indiana, officials say



A man wielding a knife was shot by a police officer on Sunday in Gary, Indiana.

A spokesperson for the city said officers responded to the 2100 block of Tennessee Street for a call of a suicidal man who was armed with a knife in his hand. The man had already stabbed himself a couple of times before they arrived.

Officers found the man in the east alley of 22nd and Ohio. At this time, he was standing in the alley still with the knife in his hand and refused to drop it as ordered by officers. The man then started to advance toward the officer, who shot the man three times in the arm, the spokesperson said.

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The officer notified the department that shots were fired, and the man was down. The condition of the man is unknown as of Sunday night.

Other officers responded to the scene to set up a perimeter around the area. The Gary Fire Department and Lake County Crime Scene Investigation personnel were also contacted.

No further information was immediately available. 


If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.

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50+ Indiana counties under travel advisories after snow storm. See map

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50+ Indiana counties under travel advisories after snow storm. See map


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At least 50 Indiana counties are under a travel advisory, and 20 counties were issued a travel watch for Dec. 14, following an overnight snow storm.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) travel advisory map has each county shaded in red for a travel warning, orange for a travel watch, yellow for a travel advisory and gray for a county without an elevated status report on it’s current travel conditions.

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Here’s how you can check your county to see where it lands on the map.

Travel advisory

According to DHS, a travel advisory is the lowest level of a related advisory.

“Routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas,” the department says on its website.

Watch advisory

According to DHS, a watch advisory is issued when conditions are threatening to a county’s safety.

“Only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended, and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies and other organizations,” the department’s website states.

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Warning advisory

According to DHS, a warning advisory is the highest level of a related advisory, where people may be told not to travel at all.

“Travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only,” the department’s website states.

Here’s the winter weather info you need

🚨 Indiana Weather Alerts: Warnings, Watches and Advisories.

⚡ Indiana power outage map: How to check your status.

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💻 Internet outages: How to track them.

🚫 What you should and shouldn’t do when the power is out.

🐶 Your neighbor left their pet outside. Who you should call.

Indianapolis weather radar

Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON



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