Indiana Grassroots Power Rankings: Top 5 16u Programs
There is a short little lull here in the grassroots basketball scene with not nearly as many tournaments taking place this coming weekend. The following weekend, which is Memorial Day weekend, things will heat back up featuring Nike EYBL Session…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThere is a short little lull here in the grassroots basketball scene with not nearly as many tournaments taking place this coming weekend. The following weekend, which is Memorial Day weekend, things will heat back up featuring Nike EYBL Session III in Louisville, Kentucky. Prep Hoops Indiana will have boots on the ground for that event. With a little bit of down time this seemed like the perfect opportunity to highlight some of the top teams that our staff has seen this spring so far. These power rankings will feature the top five 16u programs in the state of Indiana RIGHT NOW. These will be updated every few weeks moving forward. If you missed the top five 15u release you can click here to go back to check them out.
1. Indiana Elite
The fight for the #1 spot took place back at the Run N Slam a few weekends ago with Indiana Elite coming out on top by two points against Indy Heat. Led by 6’10” sophomore sensation Flory Bidunga Flory Bidunga 6'9" | C Kokomo | 2024 State #7 Nation IN (Kokomo H.S. 2024), Indiana Elite has done well on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit and is worthy of our top spot in the power rankings. Other Indiana prospects such as Josiah Dunham Josiah Dunham 6'0" | PG Evansville Christian | 2024 State IN (Evansville Christian 2024) and Aaron Fine Aaron Fine 6'3" | PG Noblesville | 2024 State IN (Noblesville H.S. 2024) suit up in the backcourt for this talented squad.
2. Indy Heat
Oddly enough, the 16u Indy Heat group is led by a couple of 2025 prospects in Jalen Haralson Jalen Haralson 6'7" | PG La Lumiere | 2025 #8 Nation IN (Fishers H.S. 2025) and Trent Sisley Trent Sisley 6'8" | PF Heritage Hills | 2025 State #47 Nation IN (Heritage Hills H.S. 2025). Both of those guys are some of the top freshmen in the entire country. This Nike EYBL program also features Micah Davis Micah Davis 6'0" | PG Franklin | 2024 State #184 Nation IN (Franklin H.S. 2024), Kanon Catchings Kanon Catchings 6'8" | PF Overtime Elite (GA) | 2024 #31 Nation GA (Brownsburg H.S. 2024), and recently added Christian Humphrey-Rembert Christian Humphrey-Rembert 6'8" | PF La Lumiere | 2024 #190 Nation IN (La Lumiere 2024). They are clearly right there with Indiana Elite as they lost by just two points at the Run N Slam.
3. Grand Park Premier
Led by one of Indiana’s top Class of 2024 prospects in Jack Benter Jack Benter 6'4" | SG Brownstown Central | 2024 State #121 Nation IN (Brownstown Central H.S. 2024), Grand Park Premier has had a strong showing on the UAA Circuit and is clearly one of the state’s top teams. They have a strong backcourt alongside the 6’5″ Benter with fellow guards Isaac Andrews Isaac Andrews 6'1" | SG Wapahani | 2024 State IN (Wapahani H.S. 2024) and Jaylin Faison Jaylin Faison 6'1" | PG Dynamic Preparatory | 2024 IN (Carmel H.S. 2024) having strong springs. Donovan Hamilton Donovan Hamilton 6'3" | SG Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 State IN (Hamilton Southeastern H.S. 2024) has been a breakout prospect while Addison Barnes-Pettit Addison Barnes-Pettit 6'4" | SF Greensburg | 2024 State IN (Greensburg H.S. 2024) and Josiah Gustin Josiah Gustin 6'7" | PF Pendleton Heights | 2024 State IN (Pendleton Heights H.S. 2024) continue to show progress in the front court.
4. Indiana Elite Team Indiana
This group just keeps getting better. Guys like Colin Taylor (New Castle H.S. 2024) and Joey Schmitz Joey Schmitz 6'2" | PG Center Grove | 2024 State IN (Center Grove H.S. 2024) have already been excellent this spring on the perimeter while 6’7″ forward Wyatt Zellers (Scottsburg H.S. 2024) excelled in the front court. Then, heading into last weekends Adidas May Classic, Team Indiana went and added Taden Metzger Taden Metzger 6'3" | SG Fishers | 2024 State IN (Fishers H.S. 2024) who is a Top 25 prospect in the class. Definitely a team to watch moving forward.
5. EG10
EG10 has consistently been one of the very best 16u teams on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring. Mason Lewis Mason Lewis 5'9" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2024 State IN (North Central H.S. 2024) is the catalyst of this group as one of the top point guards in the state with excellent playmaking ability. Matthew King Matthew King 6'3" | SG Bosco Institute | 2024 IN (Hammond Central H.S. 2024) has also played a high level for EG10 along with Cam Reich Cam Reich 6'1" | SG Speedway | 2024 State IN (Brownsburg H.S. 2024) in the backcourt. That trio of guards will give them a chance in any game they play.
Honorable Mention: D1 Indiana, George Hill All Indy, Indy Heat Red, Indiana Ice, 5Star