When it comes to in-state forwards in the class of 2023, the early top name on the board is Indianapolis’ Jalen Hooks.
A clear high major prospect, Hooks is hearing from all of the top area programs, and IU fans will be hearing his name much more in the coming years as a national recruitment unfolds.
Hooks plays for Franklin Central High School on the southeast side of Indianapolis in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
Playing against a competitive central Indiana schedule, the 6-foot-7 Hooks was the third-leading scorer and rebounder for the Flashes as a freshman, averaging 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest. He added 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steal per game, and Hooks shot 46 percent from the field for his 2019-20 campaign.
During his freshman season Hooks exhibited the versatility the college coaches crave to accompany his long frame. He has respectable ball handling skills for his size and he has shown the ability to knock down three-point shots. Hooks already showed the ability to be an imposing force defensively at the rim despite his young age.
While there are no rankings yet for the class of 2023, Hooks appears to be a lock for the national top 100. He was named a MaxPreps freshman All-American honorable mention.
In the games The Daily Hoosier watched at Zionsville and Westfield, Hooks played within himself and stayed within the team construct. That’s a good sign for a young player with a lot of early attention. Hooks has the raw ability and athleticism to eventually dominate at the high school level. Look for Hooks to be a player that starts to take over games as a sophomore for the Flashes.
Other Class of 2023 in-state names to know: Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn | Darrion Brooks
Hooks is No. 14 in the following video highlights.
Next up on our 2019-20 player recaps is Class of 2023 forward Jalen Hooks. pic.twitter.com/ot15HcpvTe
— Franklin Central Basketball (@flasheshoops) April 24, 2020
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