One of Indiana’s first offers in the class of 2026 went to Jonathan Sanderson.
And part of the reason why is the Hoosiers have a family connection with the top-50 4-star guard.
Sanderson is the son of Jon Sanderson, who was named the director of men’s basketball performance at Vanderbilt a couple months ago. The elder Sanderson previously held that same role at Michigan for 15 years, and he’s an alumnus of the Ohio State basketball program.
Through his time in the industry, Sanderson’s father has built a relationship with IU basketball Director of Athletic Performance Clif Marshall.
“Great guy. My dad really knows him well,” Sanderson told The Daily Hoosier. “I got to know him when I went on my visit. He’s a good dude.”
Sanderson performs on the court exactly how you’d expect the son of a strength and conditioning coach to play.
He’s quick, athletic and strong. And Sanderson is not afraid to mix it up and play with a physical style.
“Some athletes don’t take the weight room serious, but my dad made it known from the beginning the weight room is one of the more serious things about your game,” Sanderson said. “I didn’t really like it at the beginning, but going through it I saw I was jumping higher, I’m quicker, I’m faster. So you’ve really got to believe in it.”
Sanderson took multiple visits to Bloomington last year — unofficials in August, in October for Hoosier Hysteria, and in December when IU offered. He says the plan is to come back to visit Indiana in the fall.
“I’ve been talking to the coaches and we’re going to set something up for a football game,” he told TDH.
The visits made an impression on the 6-foot-2 guard.
“The first visit was my first real visit anywhere, and it was awesome,” Sanderson said. “I had a really good time with the coaches. I got to workout with Gabe Cupps, and that was truly an awesome experience.”
Sanderson mentioned assistant coach Brian Walsh and assistant director of recruiting Adam Howard as two members of the staff he hears from regularly. He says he talks to several other members of the staff.
“I kind of know some of them like family. It’s not just like talking to a coach,” he said.
In connection with his father’s move to Vanderbilt, Sanderson has transferred from Ann Arbor (Mich.) Saline to The Ensworth School in Nashville, Tenn. As a sophomore at Saline, Sanderson averaged 29 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He was a Division I first team All-State pick by the AP.
After starting the spring with Cupps’ former AAU program Midwest Basketball Club, Sanderson switched to Wildcats Select. Teamed with another IU target, Kentucky-based guard Tay Kinney, Wildcats Select went 6-1 last week at the Adidas 3SSB Championships.
Sanderson said some of the main schools recruiting him right now are Indiana, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Virginia and Xavier.
What factors will influence his college decision when the time comes?
“A coaching staff that believes in me and knows my game and what I can do and can help me get to the next level,” Sanderson said. “For me, I’ve got to be able to play my game and do what I do. I’ve got to put the work in on my end, and I’ve got to have a coach who believes I can make it to the next level.”
Sanderson’s spring highlights are below.
For complete coverage of IU basketball recruiting, GO HERE.
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