Faces in New Places: IN's Top Transfers

As Indiana heads into sectional time, and the high school regular season is coming to an end, players and teams are solidifying themselves in their positions. Notice that some of the top performers are new to their school's rosters, most coming from a different state in the midwest. Here are 4 players this year that haven’t wasted any time joining their new team, getting comfortable, and thriving.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Isaiah-Stafford-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1027332 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Isaiah-Stafford-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>   [player_tooltip player_id="920948" first="Isaiah" last="Stafford"] Senior 6’3 PG (Attucks) The Bolingbrook (Illinois) High school transfer has made noise as he’s stepped on the Indiana basketball scene. The scoring point guard has made his name in the midrange, showing soft touch with an array of runners, step through floaters, and midrange pull ups. His smooth handle and defined stature make him able to glide through traffic and, with his athleticism, make tough finishes at (or above) the rim as well. He’s getting more and more comfortable, totaling his season high of 30 points in one of his last outings. Averaging around 19 points a game and leading Attucks to a 16-4 record, the senior has turned some heads with his play throughout this year. He has faired very well in mashups against some of the state's top ranked guards. As we near sectional time, keep a close eye on him as he locks in for the playoffs. Isaiah currently is not ranked in the class of 2021.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/DSC1574.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1096330 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/DSC1574-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>   [player_tooltip player_id="1063961" first="Fletcher" last="Loyer"] Junior 6’5 SG (Homestead) The Sharpshooting scorer from Clarkston High (Michigan) has been filling it up at a high clip all year. Averaging about 24 points per game so far, he leads a nationally ranked Homestead team to a perfect record at 21-0. Shooting a high volume and a high percentage from 3 at almost 50%(65-140), the Purdue commit has put up multiple 30 point games this season. Including an outing where he exploded for a school record-breaking 50 points. While he’s only a junior , he has a deep skill set, making moves look effortless as he uses his handle and foot work to score at will. He can finish around the rim with either hand, off of either foot, using his soft touch. He makes good basketball decisions, and doesn’t make many mistakes, so when his opponents do he makes them pay. As the regular season is coming to a close, Loyer and Homestead are the front-running favorite to take the 4A crown this year. Fletcher is ranked 7th in the class of 2022. [caption id="attachment_1132790" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/jj.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1132790" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/jj-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a> Photo: <a href="https://orangefizz.net/2020/07/what-does-jj-starlings-prep-school-transfer-mean-for-su/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orangefizz.net blog</a>[/caption]   [player_tooltip player_id="996912" first="JJ" last="Starling"] 2022 6’4 PG (La Lumiere) JJ is a Baldwinsville, New York native, who came from Baker High school to LaLu. The speedy guard is always in attack mode, with a quick trigger from behind the line, or with that quick first step to get to the bucket. Though it has been a tough year for La lumiere, Starling has made his presence known, scoring north of 18 points a game. The competition he has played this year is second to none. Being able to score at will against the likes of Oak Hill, Montverde, and Wasatch, speaks volumes. Starling is a known sniper, quick to let it go when he sees daylight. But he will get to the rim just as quickly when he is crowded by a defender. To be a 3 level scorer as a guard, able to go amongst the trees of the pro sized bigs every game, speaks of heart and skill. Though he’s only a junior, he is the primary perimeter option. He takes and makes big shots in big moments, without pause, showing his lack of fear. The prep year is a little different this year, and it appears as the Lakers regular season may be over. Look this summer to see how he has improved. JJ is ranked 6th in the 2022 class.   [caption id="attachment_1132839" align="alignleft" width="197"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/jb.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1132839" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/jb-197x300.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="300" /></a> Photo: <a href="https://twitter.com/trigonis30/status/1298083297826729985" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter via @trigonis30</a>[/caption]   [player_tooltip player_id="529593" first="Jayden" last="Brewer"] 2021 6’5 SG (Ben Davis) Though it wasn’t a far move Jayden transferred from Avon (Avon, Indiana) High school to Ben Davis in Indianapolis. The lengthy lefty with athleticsm can do it all. Though he’s only been able to play in the second half of this season, he’s made up for lost time with his play scoring about 17 points a game. The crafty guard gets to his spots and with his athleticism finishes over top of the defense. Brewer has soft touch, getting into the midrange and finishing with runners. But he can also step back behind the line and knock it down consistently from behind thew line. But on the defensive end he really gets after it. Guarding opponents best player (guard or big) with his tall frame and long arms. He is more than quick enough top stay in front of the smaller guards as well. He has led the Giants to 4 straight wins in his return, one of them being a buzzer beating overtime win against top ranked Attucks. The Northwestern commit is looking to make a big statement come sectional time, as he was only eligible the second half of his senior year this year. Jayden is ranked 13th in the class of 2021.