IU still among schools recruiting Thon Maker hardest

BLOOMINGTON -- With two scholarships still open ahead of next season, IU coach Tom Crean hasn't tempered his pursuit of talented, versatile big man Thon Maker in the current class.

According to reports from ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Adam Zagoria, Maker's guardian reported the Hoosiers and Arizona State as the 7-foot prospect's most persistent suitors at present.

Originally a member of the 2016 class, Maker isn't expected to enroll in a college until at least December. And there have been questions about whether he might just head straight for the 2016 NBA draft.

But Maker's guardian, Ed Smith, said there's no set plan for the big man to follow.

"I don't want to put a one-and-done on it. You finish high school, step one," Smith told Zagoria. "When you're ready and your body is ready for the pro game, step two."

Indiana hosted Maker in Bloomington on the same weekend as Thomas Bryant, its 2015 McDonald's All American signee, in early March.

Crean and assistant coach Chuck Martin have since been spotted watching the blue-chip prospect -- a five-star power forward, according to 247Sports -- playing in prep tournaments around the country.

Martin is Indiana's point person in Maker's recruitment.

"I deal mostly with (assistant coach) Chuck (Martin of Indiana) and Chuck says mid-year or next year (fall 2016) is all good and they have a plan in place for for (Maker)," Smith told Zagoria. "So that's his basic plan with that. If he came in mid-year, they would ease him into it, knowing that he has a year-and-a-half plan.

With two scholarships still open, Indiana is also among three finalists for Michigan grad transfer forward Max Bielfeldt. His decision between the Hoosiers, Nebraska and Iowa State could come soon.

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.