Grassroots Preview: Indiana Elite
Program Director: Mike Fox Teams: Indiana Elite 2017, Indiana Elite Magic 2017, Indiana Elite Central 2017, Indiana Elite 2018, Indiana Elite Central 2018, Indiana Elite 2019, Indiana Elite Central 2019, Indiana Elite Force 2019, Indiana Elite Diesel 2019 Indiana Elite…
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Continue ReadingProgram Director: Mike Fox
Teams: Indiana Elite 2017, Indiana Elite Magic 2017, Indiana Elite Central 2017, Indiana Elite 2018, Indiana Elite Central 2018, Indiana Elite 2019, Indiana Elite Central 2019, Indiana Elite Force 2019, Indiana Elite Diesel 2019
Indiana Elite 2017 | ||||
# | Name | Height | Class | High School |
11 | Michael Ertel | 6’0 | 2017 | Mt. Vernon (Fortville) |
12 | Mark Albers | 6’4 | 2017 | Pendleton Heights |
40 | Bol Riek | 7’2 | 2017 | Mooseheart (IL) |
5 | Jermaine Couisnard | 6’5 | 2017 | East Chicago Central |
2 | Justin Thomas | 6’0 | 2016 | Indianapolis Pike |
1 | Desmond Bane | 6’4 | 2016 | Seton Catholic |
35 | Caden Sanchez | 6’8 | 2017 | St. Francis DeSales (OH) |
32 | Ra Kpedi | 6’8 | 2017 | Lawrence North |
20 | Nick Mantis | 6’3 | 2017 | Lowell |
21 | Damir Hadzic | 6’8 | 2017 | N/A |
Notes: This group will be an intersting mix this season. With a pair of 2016’s leading the way in Justin Thomas and Desmond Bane, they could be a strong team to take down. They have all the pieces of a well built team. They have size in Damir Hadzic, Bol Reik, and standout junior Ra Kpedi as well as shooters in Nick Mantis and Mark Albers, and really talented guards in Justin Thomas and Michael Ertel. Obviously the question is if the two 2016’s stay here for long because they add a ton of value to this roster. However, I really like Kpedi and Ertel to have big summers and draw the eyes of coaches.
Indiana Elite 2018 | ||||
# | Name | Height | Class | High School |
5 | Robert Phinisee | 5’11 | 2018 | McCutcheon |
0 | Phillip King | 6’0 | 2018 | Bloomington South |
32 | Jackson Marcotte | 6’7 | 2018 | Mt. Carmel (IL) |
34 | Mawich Kachjaani | 6’11 | 2018 | Indianapolis International |
11 | Chance Coyle | 6’4 | 2018 | Bloomington South |
10 | Jake Dye | 6’3 | 2018 | Griffith |
31 | Kevin Zhang | 6’8 | 2018 | La Lumiere |
24 | Jared Dehart | 5’11 | 2018 | Indian Creek |
Anthony Hopkins | 6’4 | 2018 | Indianapolis Howe | |
23 | C.J. Fredrick | 6’4 | 2018 | Covington Catholic (KY) |
44 | Jake Walter | 6’10 | 2018 | Covington Catholic (KY) |
Notes: This group is mainly in tact at it’s core with the return of Phinisee, King, Marcotte, Kachjaani, DeHart, and Coyle. Their new additions could leave a lasting impact though. Dye and Hopkins give them perimeter playmakers with tons of upside. Dye is mainly a shooter and Hopkins a driving wing. Jake Walter gives them a big body on the interior to pair with Kachjaani and his shot blocking ability. Kevin Zhang might be the biggest wildcard here. He’s tall and long but also extremely skilled. He’ll be a pain to matchup with defensively and could give Fox a major weapon.
Indiana Elite 2019 | ||||
# | Name | Height | Class | High School |
0 | Spencer Reist | 6’1 | 2019 | Brebeuf Jesuit |
20 | Cobie Barnes | 6’5 | 2019 | Floyd Central |
24 | Michael Moreno | 6’6 | 2019 | Scott County (KY) |
1 | Sydney Curry | 6’7 | 2019 | Fort Wayne Bishop Luers |
23 | Carson Dolezal | 6’0 | 2019 | Tipton |
3 | Emanuel Brown | 6’0 | 2019 | Indianapolis Howe |
22 | Kyle Rode | 6’5 | 2019 | Lexington Christian (KY) |
45 | Mabor Majok | 7’1 | 2020 | Hamilton Southeastern |
12 | Semaj Danley | 6’3 | 2019 | Perry Meridian |
Notes: There isn’t much to not like about this 2019 group. They are probably an average of four inches taller than any team they play this season as well as very strong and physically developed. The one area to watch is their post play. They have tons of options between Sydney Curry, Kyle Rode, or Michael Moreno. I really like Reist and Barnes on the perimeter with their ability to make plays. Point guards will be the one area that lacks, if that is what you want to call it. Brown is a tough, motivated guard who can add some offense and Dolezal is the speedier, pass-first option. A ton of upside in this group and should be the best team in the state for 2019.