Indiana high school basketball: Ranking the top 10 sophomores in 2026 recruiting class

The 2026 in-state basketball class looks like it could be promising. At most, though, these players are only one year into their high school careers. Here is an early look at a top-10 with 10 more players to watch in the class. Players are ranked primarily on college potential, as well as production — by IndyStar Preps Insider Kyle Neddenriep (this does not include players who have left state for prep school):

1. Steven Reynolds III, South Bend Washington

The 6-5 Reynolds is a big-time talent and the younger brother of Purdue women’s basketball players Mila and Amiyah Reynolds. Another sister, Kira, is a high school junior who is also committed to the Boilermakers. Reynolds was already an impact player as a freshman, averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals. His numbers as a 3-point shooter (34.8% on 55-for-158 shooting) and free-throw shooter (33-for-40) project for future success. Reynolds already has high-major offers from Mississippi State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue and Texas A&M. Reynolds is ranked No. 60 in the class by 247Sports, which might be a little low as he continues to mature physically.

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2. EJ Hazelett, Franklin Central

The 6-7 Hazelett averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds as a freshman. He did not shoot the ball great overall his first season but has potential to be a good 3-point shooter (he was 27-for-87 last season for 31%) and certainly has the athleticism to score more around the basket. He picked up his first Division I offer from Kent State in September.

3. Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon

It is disappointing the 6-1 Ertel is going to miss some of his sophomore season as he recovers from an injury he suffered playing quarterback for the Marauders. The point guard played at a high level as a freshman, averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game for a team that went 16-9 and played in the sectional championship game. Ertel has a Division I offer from Alabama-Birmingham, where his brother Michael played after starring at Louisiana Monroe.

4. Dezhon Hall, Pike

The 6-4 Hall transferred to Pike from Tindley after an impressive freshman season for the Class A program. In 18 games, Hall averaged 17.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. His 3-point shooting percentage was 28.3% but on a relatively small sample size of 53 attempts. Hall’s 6.6 free-throw attempts per game is a good marker of his ability to get around defenders and attack the basket. It will be fun to see how that translates to Pike this season. He already has high-major offers from Illinois, Texas A&M and Wisconsin.

5. Justin Curry, Noblesville

The 6-3 Curry has a chance to be a special player. He averaged 3.0 points and 1.7 rebounds as a freshman but will move into a starting role this season. He was mostly a 3-point shooter last year, hitting 41.7% (15-for-36) from the arc. It will be a matter of time before Curry starts to get some Division I offers.

6. Brennan Miller, Lawrence North

The 6-6 Miller played a key role for Lawrence North as a freshman, averaging 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds and shooting 41.5% from the 3-point line. He's a smooth scorer. There is a lot to like about Miller’s game. He should be in line for a strong sophomore season for the Wildcats.

7. Braylen Langley, Evansville Reitz

The 6-7 Langley is a big-time talent who averaged 7.7 points and 6.5 rebounds as a freshman on a veteran team that went 19-7 and won a sectional championship. Langley did not shoot it great from the 3-point line, but that should come with more work. Langley has Division I offers from Bryant and Youngtown State.

8. Julien Smith, Mt. Vernon

The 6-foot Smith averaged 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals as a freshman for the Marauders, forming a tough freshman backcourt combo with Ertel. Among his impressive stats was 42.2% shooting from the 3-point line (46-for-109), a number that meshes well with his ability to attack the basket with his elite athleticism. He already has offers from IUPUI and Jackson State.

9. Evan Harrell, Carmel

The 6-8 Harrell is still unproven at the varsity level but that is about to change. Harrell is comparable to some of the long wings in the 2025 class and should start to get some offers after the season, if not before, with his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter and handle the ball. It will be fun to see what Harrell does this season.

10. Noah Smith, Plainfield

The 6-7 Smith is going to be a good one. He averaged 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds as a freshman is should have a major impact this season for the Quakers. He did not shoot it a lot from the perimeter last season but certainly has the ability. I’m guessing he will end up a lot higher on this list when all is said and done.

10 more Indiana sophomores to watch

∎ Stephen Akase, Tippecanoe Valley: The 6-6 Akase is a strong interior player for 3A Tippecanoe Valley. He averaged 6.5 points and 5.9 rebounds as a freshman, shooting 80% from the field and 63% from the free-throw line.

∎ Keaton Aldridge Jr., Cathedral: The 6-3 Aldridge is a strong wing who will get a chance to start after averaging 1.8 points in 11 games last season. He has a Kent State offer.

∎ David Brigham Jr., Christel House Manual: The 6-1 combo guard is coming off a breakout freshman season as he averaged 14.0 points, 4.1 assists and 3.4 rebounds for a 3A program that finished 12-10.

∎ Elexander Harris, Tech: The 5-11 guard, the younger brother of former Lawrence North and Michigan State guard Eron Harris, averaged 9.1 points and 3.2 assists as a freshman. He will shoot better from the 3-point line (32-for-105 for 30.5%) he did last season.

∎ Reggie Hinton, Gary West Side: The 5-10 point guard averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds as a freshman. Hinton is the next playmaking guard out of Gary West.

∎ Kai McGrew, Lawrence North: The 6-8 McGrew is a transfer from Smoky Hill in Aurora, Colo., where he was considered one of the top prospects in the class in the state. McGrew averaged 10.6 points and 8.5 rebounds as a freshman for a 20-win team.

∎ Ethan Roseman, Bishop Chatard: The 6-foot point guard was one of the most productive freshmen in Central Indiana last season. He averaged 14.2 points, 3.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds and shot 33% (15-for-45) from the 3-point line. Roseman fills a lot of roles for the 3A Trojans, who are coming off a 16-win season.

∎ Treigh Schelsky, Parke Heritage: The 5-10 Schelsky averaged 18.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a freshman for the Class 2A program, which went 19-10 and reached the semistate.

∎ Cameron Webster, Lawrence North: The 5-11 Webster should provide depth off the bench for the Wildcats as a quick, playmaking guard.

∎ R’mani Wells, Mt. Vernon: The 6-4 Wells averaged 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman. Wells has the look of a player who could have a breakout season as a sophomore.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school basketball recruiting: 2026 class player rankings