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Indiana Mr. Basketball 2024 finalists: State's top six high school seniors

Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star
·3 min read

The 2024 IndyStar Mr. Basketball race is officially down to six candidates.

The Mr. Basketball winner will be announced Tuesday at the Indiana High School Sports Awards banquet. Mr. Basketball, presented by the Indiana Pacers, is awarded to the senior who receives the most votes from the state’s high school coaches and media.

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Here is a look at the 2024 Mr. Basketball finalists (in alphabetical order):

Jack Benter, Brownstown Central

Brownstown Central Braves guard Jack Benter (14) reacts after scoring during the IHSAA Class 2A boy’s basketball state championship against the Wapahani Raiders, Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Brownstown Central Braves guard Jack Benter (14) reacts after scoring during the IHSAA Class 2A boy’s basketball state championship against the Wapahani Raiders, Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The 6-6 Purdue recruit averaged 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists to lead Brownstown Central to a Class 2A state championship — the first in the program’s history. Benter shot 44% from the 3-point line. Benter finished his high school career with 2,550 points for his career to finish No. 11 on the state’s all-time scoring list. He went for 25 points, six rebounds and four assists in Brownstown Central’s 55-36 state championship win over Wapahani.

Flory Bidunga, Kokomo

Kokomo Wildkats center Flory Bidunga (40) goes in for a lay-up Saturday, March 9, 2024, during the IHSAA boys basketball regional final at the New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Kokomo Wildkats, 66-52.
Kokomo Wildkats center Flory Bidunga (40) goes in for a lay-up Saturday, March 9, 2024, during the IHSAA boys basketball regional final at the New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Kokomo Wildkats, 66-52.

The 6-9 Bidunga was selected as the Gatorade Player of the Year for Indiana as a junior and senior and was named to the McDonald’s All American team. The Kansas recruit averaged 19.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.4 blocked shots and 3.2 assists per game to help Kokomo to a 24-5 record and Class 4A regional appearance. He helped the Wildkats to a state finals appearance as a junior. Bidunga put up career totals of 1,609 points, 1,132 rebounds and 402 blocked shots while shooting 80.3% from the field in his three seasons at Kokomo.

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Micah Davis, Franklin

Franklin Community High School senior Micah Davis (4) shoots during the second half of an IHSAA basketball game against Whiteland High School, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Whiteland High School. Whiteland High School won, 67-64.
Franklin Community High School senior Micah Davis (4) shoots during the second half of an IHSAA basketball game against Whiteland High School, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Whiteland High School. Whiteland High School won, 67-64.

The 6-2 Eastern Kentucky commit averaged 25.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game to lead Franklin to an 18-5 season and Class 4A sectional championship. Davis shot 53% from the field, including 37.4% (43-for-115) from the 3-point line. Davis scored 1,296 career points in three seasons and set the school record at Franklin with 43 points in a game. He was a core member of the Junior All-Star team last season after averaging 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Keenan Garner, Fishers

Fishers Tigers forward Keenan Garner (23) kisses his fingers after scoring Saturday, March 9, 2024, during the IHSAA boys basketball regional final at the New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Kokomo Wildkats, 66-52.
Fishers Tigers forward Keenan Garner (23) kisses his fingers after scoring Saturday, March 9, 2024, during the IHSAA boys basketball regional final at the New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Kokomo Wildkats, 66-52.

The 6-6 IU Indianapolis commit averaged 15.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as Fishers finished 29-1 and won a Class 4A state championship in his senior season. Garner had 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the state championship win over Ben Davis. He shot 58% from the field for the season. Garner, who moved to Indiana from Germany prior to his junior year, averaged 8.3 points and 6.2 rebounds last season.

Evan Haywood, Brebeuf Jesuit

Brebeuf Jesuit senior guard Evan Haywood (1) drives to the basket during the IHSAA Class 3A Sectional Championship March 2, 2024, at Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville, Indiana.
Brebeuf Jesuit senior guard Evan Haywood (1) drives to the basket during the IHSAA Class 3A Sectional Championship March 2, 2024, at Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville, Indiana.

The 6-4 Haywood, a Butler recruit, averaged 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game for a team that finished 18-6 and came within a double-overtime loss to Guerin Catholic of winning a Class 3A sectional. Haywood shot 37.7% (78-for-207) from the 3-point line as a senior. As a junior, he averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Haywood finished with 822 points and 259 rebounds in his two-plus seasons.

K.J. Windham, Ben Davis

Ben Davis Giants K.J. Windham (24) lays the ball up against the Fishers Tigers on Saturday, March 30, 2024, during the IHSAA boys basketball Class 4A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Ben Davis Giants 65-56.
Ben Davis Giants K.J. Windham (24) lays the ball up against the Fishers Tigers on Saturday, March 30, 2024, during the IHSAA boys basketball Class 4A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Fishers Tigers defeated the Ben Davis Giants 65-56.

The 6-4 Northwestern recruit averaged 15.4 points, 2.2 assists, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for a Ben Davis team that finished 23-6 and reached the Class 4A state finals. He shot 41.5% from the 3-point line (59-for-142) as a senior. Windham finished No. 4 on the all-time scoring list at Ben Davis with 1,151 career points and was part of the Giants’ Class 4A state title team as a junior.

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

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: These are the six finalists for 2024 Indiana Mr. Basketball