Three.
On a pure per capita basis, that’s how many Indiana based kids should be ranked in the top 150 high school players in the boys basketball class of 2021.
But this is Indiana. So how about nine?
We’ve told you about the breadth and depth of the Indiana-based talent in 2021, and the latest rankings by 247Sports provide further evidence that this is indeed a uniquely loaded in-state class.
Schools like IU are generally looking to recruit almost exclusively within the top 150, so clearly they won’t be able to target everyone in the class that is good enough to play in Bloomington.
It’s a class that will likely field an Indiana All-Star team made up entirely of Division One bound players.
Here are the top nine players in the class of 2021 according to 247Sports’ latest rankings released this week.
You can click on each player’s name for more coverage from The Daily Hoosier including stats and videos.
- KHRISTIAN LANDER, F.J. Reitz, Evansville (No. 18 Overall / No. 1 Indiana)
No surprise here. Lander has consistently been considered the top in-state player in the class. He also holds the mantle as the top point guard in the country according to 247Sports.
- TREY KAUFMAN, Silver Creek, Sellersburg (No. 31 Overall / No. 2 Indiana)
This the highest we have seen Kaufman in the state rankings, but it doesn’t come as a surprise. At 6-foot-8 with the ability to score inside and out, Kaufman has the versatility to be a big time high major college basketball player.
- CALEB FURST, Blackhawk Christian, Fort Wayne (No. 36 Overall / No. 3 Indiana)
Furst can dominate the paint, but he also surprises you with the ability to handle the ball some and he is a good passer and defender. At 6-foot-9 he will have the size to play at a high major level, and he has the offer list to prove it.
- BLAKE WESLEY, Riley, South Bend (No. 88 Overall / No. 4 Indiana)
Wesley is one of the fastest risers of the group and he is ranked as the top shooting guard in the state. Attending the same high school as Damezi Anderson, he could end up being IU’s top target at that position in the 2021 class.
- LUKE GOODE, Homestead, Fort Wayne (No. 108 Overall / No. 5 Indiana)
Goode has impressive length and is a natural shooter. He already has several high major offers and that list will grow as he gets stronger and continues to improve his ball handling.
- JALEN BLACKMON, Marion, Marion (No. 116 Overall / No. 6 Indiana)
Is he a point guard or shooting guard? That is probably the main question at this point, but there is no questioning Blackmon’s ability to score, and that has led to Division One offers and interest from IU and other top programs.
- JR KONIECZNY, St. Jospeh, South Bend (No. 123 Overall / No. 7 Indiana)
Many believe that by the time things are said and done, Konieczny could move up several spots on this list. A recent IU unofficial visitor, he has the size and skill set combination that matches where the game is headed.
- PIERCE THOMAS, Brownsburg, Brownsburg (No. 139 Overall / No. 8 Indiana)
Thomas is the best athlete in the group, which is obviously a major statement. Impressive off the bounce, he is just a consistent jump shot away from a recruiting explosion.
- QUIMARI PETERSON, West Side, Gary (No. 140 Overall / No. 9 Indiana)
The name you might not have known, Peterson solidifies his standing in the state with an appearance in the top 150. Teammates with a top 50 class of 2022 talent in Jalen Washington, Gary West Side should be a powerhouse over the next couple years.
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