Indiana high school basketball: 20 faces in new places who will have an impact in 2023-24
There are a lot of faces in new places at the start of the high school basketball season. A look at 20 of the major moves in Central Indiana and elsewhere as the 2023-24 season gets started next week:
Nic Book, Westfield: The 6-8 Book is a native of New Zealand who played last season at Oak Hill Academy (Va.). Book, who has played on New Zealand national teams, will be one of the best players in the area this season. He is a physical player who can also be effective on the perimeter.
Michael Chigozie, Center Grove: The 6-10 junior forward is a transfer from Westwood Christian in Miami, Fla., where he averaged 13.3 points and 12.2 rebounds as a sophomore. He may be the missing piece for a Trojans’ team with experience and talent.
Dhani Flannigan, Ben Davis: The 6-foot senior guard was in the Ben Davis system in middle school but started his high school career at Cathedral before going to Franklin Central. Flannigan is a strong guard who has battled through injuries and should help the Giants.
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DeZhon Hall, Pike: The 6-4 sophomore, who already has high-major offers from Illinois, Texas A&M and Wisconsin, averaged 17.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game last season as a freshman at Tindley.
Eric Jackson, Crispus Attucks: The 6-6 junior comes to Attucks from Warren Central and is a projected starter for the Tigers.
James Kalala, Southport: The 6-6 sophomore is new to the area after averaging 9.2 points and 5.6 rebounds as a freshman at Victory Christian Center in Charlotte, N.C.
Seth LaRavia, Pendleton Heights: The 6-6 senior averaged 5.0 points and 2.2 rebounds last season at Westfield, shooting 42% (26-for-62) from the 3-point line.
Luke Lawrence, Evansville Reitz: The 6-1 junior guard comes to Reitz from Evansville Memorial, where he averaged 9.4 points as a sophomore and shot 33% from the 3-point line. Reitz, coming off a 19-7 season and sectional championship, has a talented team.
Mason Lewis, Crispus Attucks: The 5-8 Lewis averaged 8.3 points and 2.0 assists per game as a junior at North Central, shooting 39% from the 3-point line.
Jordan Lomax, Brownsburg: The 6-3 Lomax was the leading scorer at Avon last year, averaging 17.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. Should have an immediate impact and help offset loss to Purdue recruit Kanon Catchings, who is attending Overtime Elite in Atlanta.
DeAndre Lott, Avon: The 6-4 junior guard was a key player last year for Crispus Attucks, averaging 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals. Lott will be a key player for the Orioles.
Ethan Martin, Crispus Attucks: The 6-1 junior point guard comes to Attucks from Shortridge, where he averaged 8.1 points, 2.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds last season.
Kai McGrew, Lawrence North: The 6-8 McGrew transfers in from Aurora, Colo., where he averaged 10.6 points and 8.5 rebounds as a freshman at Smoky Hill High School.
Kaleb Milan, Ben Davis: The 6-10 Milan was a key player as a sophomore for Scecina’s 18-7 regional champion, averaging 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds on 61% shooting. Milan might not be a starter for the defending Class 4A champion Giants but will be a key contributor.
Baris Moore, Kokomo: The 6-foot sophomore is an athletic guard who excels at attacking off the dribble. Moore averaged 12.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 steals as a freshman for 2A Taylor, a 19-win team.
Nate Orr, Hamilton Southeastern: The 6-3 senior guard is a Michigan native who played last season at La Lumiere. Orr previously attended Brandywine High School in Michigan, just north of South Bend.
Cam Reich, Speedway: The 6-1 senior guard comes in from Brownsburg where he averaged 4.0 points as a sophomore and shot 38% from the 3-point line before an injury slowed his start as a junior and he averaged 2.5 points in 15 games. He should be a major contributor for the Sparkplugs.
Jesiah Sloss, Brownsburg: The 6-7 Sloss, a junior, averaged 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds as a sophomore at Evansville Harrison.
Braden Walters, Terre Haute North: The 6-5 guard was a major contributor in three seasons at Linton-Stockton, helping the Miners to a 29-2 record and Class 2A state runner-up finish in 2022-23. He averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds.
Ajani Washington, New Haven: The 6-2 guard, a standout wide receiver on the football team, averaged 14.4 points and 4.8 rebounds as a junior at Fort Wayne Concordia, where he scored more than 1,000 points in three seasons.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA basketball: New faces in new places to know for 2023-24 season
