RECRUITING

Recruiting: Updated Class of 2016 Indiana basketball rankings

Kyle Neddenriep
Kyle Guy, C.J. Walker and Joey Brunk are among the best players in the state.

This year's senior class is loaded with talent and should provide one of the more intriguing Mr. Basketball races in recent memory.

IndyStar Preps Insider Kyle Neddenriep, who has seen this group from Day 1, updates his preseason rankings of the top 20 in-state players from the Class of 2016:

(Kyle is not including players from La Lumiere, a prep school in La Porte, unless they are from Indiana originally, like Jalen Coleman would have been).

1. Kyle Guy, Lawrence Central: The 6-3 Virginia-bound guard was recently named a McDonald’s All American. He's averaging 24.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season for the Bears. Guy can score and is a savvy passer.

2. Joey Brunk, Southport: The 6-10 Butler recruit is one of the state’s top post players and has improved his face-up game. Brunk is averaging 16.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots.

3. C.J. Walker, Tech: The 6-foot Florida State recruit is one of the most electrifying point guards in the county. The three-year starter is averaging 23.2 points, 5.0 assists, 3.1 steals and shooting 44 percent from the 3-point line for the Titans.

4. Eron Gordon, Cathedral: The uncommitted 6-3 Gordon can score like few other guards in the state (averaging 19.9 points this season). Gordon, who has taken official visits to Nevada and Seton Hall, was an IndyStar Junior All-Star last year.

5. Damien Jefferson, East Chicago Central: The 6-5 New Mexico recruit averaged 23.4 points and 9.9 rebounds as a junior and was named a core Junior All-Star. Jefferson is ranked as the No. 123 prospect in the country by Rivals for 2016.

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6. Dru Smith, Evansville Reitz: The 6-3 University of Evansville recruit is averaging 21.8 points, 6.3 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists for Reitz. Smith picked Evansville over Ball State and Indiana State.

7. Desmond Bane, Seton Catholic: The 6-5 Bane has put himself on the map with a big senior season, averaging 28.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists for the Class A program. Along the way, Bane has picked up offers from Air Force, Ball State, Furman, IUPUI, Miami (Ohio) and Ohio.

8. Brachen Hazen, Columbia City: The 6-8 Central Florida recruit can shoot it from the perimeter but mostly plays inside for his high school team. Hazen averages 16.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Creighton, Clemson and Maryland had also offered Hazen, among others.

9. Justin Thomas, Pike: The 6-foot Thomas is one of the toughest defensive guards in the state and has become a top offensive threat as well. Thomas, who has offers from Drake and Western Illinois, is averaging 17.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.9 steals.

10. Jordan Walker, Cathedral: The 6-1 Morehead State recruit is a big-time athlete who has grown as a point guard. Walker, who also considered IUPUI, Cornell, Austin Peay and South Alabama, is averaging 14 points a game for the Irish.

11. Grant Gelon, Crown Point: The 6-5 Indiana recruit exploded on the scene in the summer after breaking the school record with 102 3-pointers a junior (he averaged 14.3 points). Gelon had also been offered by Toledo, Western Michigan and a few others.

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12. Kyle Mallers, Fort Wayne Carroll: The 6-7 Ball State recruit is a tough matchup. Mallers is averaging 15.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game as a senior. Indiana State, Ole Miss and Toledo were also after him.

13. Djimon Henson, Lawrence North: The 6-3 Morehead State recruit is one of the state’s best outside shooters and was named a Junior All-Star last year. Northern Kentucky, IUPUI and Western Illinois had also offered.

14. Tremell Murphy, Griffith: The 6-5 forward teams with twin brother Anthony for Griffith and is more of an inside threat. Murphy averaged 17.6 points and 9.0 rebounds as a junior to help Griffith to the Class 3A state finals. The Murphy brothers are both uncommitted.

15. Eugene German, Gary 21st Century: The 6-1 Northern Illinois recruit is a big-time scorer. German is averaging 33.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a senior for the Class A program.

16. John Kiser, Noblesville: The 6-5 Kiser is uncommitted and probably flying a bit under the radar. Kiser is averaging 22.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists this year for Noblesville.

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17. Brian “Kip” Warren, Howe: The uncommitted 6-foot Warren is a big-time scorer. The lefty guard said recently Toledo, Tennessee State and Tampa are interested, though he’s waiting on an ACT score. Arizona Western, a junior college, is also a possibility.

18. Mehki Biffle, Lawrence Central: The 6-2 Biffle is having a big senior season, averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Biffle has picked up Division I interest from Ball State, American, Bradley and Eastern Kentucky.

19. D.J. Wilkins, Merrillville: The 6-3 guard set school records in football for passing yards and touchdowns passes, but he’s planning on a basketball future. Prep school is a possibility.

20. Marcus Burk, Franklin Central: The 6-3 Burk has several Division I schools interested. Burk is averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and shooting 39 percent (41-for-104) from the 3-point line.