Summer Recap – Program Profile: D1 Indiana
When trying to figure out how to best recap the summer basketball scene there was, at first, some paralysis by analysis. With so many great programs featuring talented prospects it is quite the daunting task to try and give everyone…
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Continue ReadingWhen trying to figure out how to best recap the summer basketball scene there was, at first, some paralysis by analysis. With so many great programs featuring talented prospects it is quite the daunting task to try and give everyone the coverage they deserve. Especially with teams spread out across different circuits it can be hard to find a natural way to efficiently break down everything. I’ve decided that the easiest way to do this, and provided the most individual coverage, will be to simply go team-by-team across the state. This exercise will run through the end of August so be patient as we work through all of the teams. With a rankings update coming at the beginning of the month we will have a lot of other content being pushed out as well.
In these program spotlights we will feature a top prospect, a top stock-riser, and an under-the-radar name. Then, I will simply empty out the notebook with some other thoughts and takeaways that have been compiled over the last few months as it pertains to that team. Let’s dive on in.
Top Prospect: Kamari Jones Kamari Jones 6'4" | SG Lawrence Centra (IN) / Hilcrest Prep (AZ) | 2023 IN (Lawrence Central H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023)
Interest around this 6’4″ athletic guard really started to pick up in the spring and followed him into the summer months. A handful of Division I programs have watched closely and now Division II Illinois-Springfield has pulled the trigger with an offer. Jones is one of the best pure scorers in the rising senior class with great catch-and-shoot ability paired with the ball handling to create his own shot at a high level. His length and athleticism at 6’4″ allow him to get his shot off at any moment. Will form one of the best backcourts in Indianapolis next to teammates DaJohn Craig DaJohn Craig 6'1" | PG Lawrence Central | 2023 State IN (Lawrence Central H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023).
Top Stock-Riser: Clay Butler Clay Butler 6'1" | PG Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023)
This talented point guard just got on the board with his first offer coming from Division II Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Butler is a very quick 6’1″ point guard that is really hard to stop when he gets a head of steam. He gets down hill to the rim in transition and off the ballscreen, is a very good passer, and is a creative finisher at the end of his drives. Shoots it well from beyond the arc too. Part of an extremely talented team at Ben Davis that will be among the favorites to win the Class 4A state championship. Coaches should be on him heading into the high school season.
Under-the-Radar Name: Dominique Murphy Jr. (East Chicago Central H.S. 2025/D1 Indiana 2024)
Murphy Jr. is an incredibly intriguing prospect. Playing up a year with the 2024 group he was consistently one of their best players showing off his versatility as a 6’5″ wing. He can knock down outside shots to the three-point line, attacks well off of the dribble, and has the length to finish up around the rim inside. Definitely a prospect for Division I programs to continue tracking as he gets older and stronger.
Other Program Notes
- 6’5″ forward Seth LaRavia Seth LaRavia 6'6" | PF Pendelton Heights | 2024 State IN (Westfield H.S. 2024/D1 Indiana 2024) had a great finish to the summer. At the Prep Hoops Grit Region finals the strong, skilled post player averaged 16.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He followed it up by averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds at The Last Dance in Chicago. LaRavia is highly skilled around the basket with good footwork and a soft touch.
- Julius Gizzi Julius Gizzi 6'3" | SG New Palestine | 2025 State IN (New Palestine H.S. 2025/D1 Indiana-Gizzi 2025) was a consistent top performer on the Prep Hoops Circuit throughout the spring and summer. His team had a ton of success and he was scoring at a high level along the way. He was excellent out in Las Vegas as well to wrap up the summer. The 6’3″ guard is strong, highly skilled, and proved that he is one of the best pure scorers in Indiana’s 2025 class.
- Speaking of high-level scorers in the rising sophomore class, Papi Rivera Papi Rivera 6'1" | PG North Central | 2025 State IN (North Central H.S. 2025/D1 Indiana-Bonds 2025) is as talented as they come. He is so shifty with the ball, can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc, and is a talented playmaker off of the dribble. Should really have a breakout sophomore season.
- 6’7″ versatile forward Jesse Faires Jesse Faires 6'6" | PF Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023) had a strong summer and caught the attention of several small college coaches. He really showed off his ability to stretch the floor out to three-point range while still having the size and strength to finish inside. Very mobile forward.
- Another under-the-radar name that played very well throughout the summer was Tim Williams (North Central H.S. 2024/D1 Indiana-2 2024). The athletic 6’1″ guard can score it from all three levels and was a fixture on All-Tournament teams during the Prep Hoops Circuit.
- Left-handed guard Dorien Beatty Dorien Beatty 5'10" | PG Lake Central | 2024 IN (Lake Central H.S. 2024/D1 Indiana 2024) is one to keep an eye on in northern Indiana. He is a catch-and-shoot threat, dangerous in transition, and a good passer.
- He was mentioned briefly earlier, but DaJohn Craig DaJohn Craig 6'1" | PG Lawrence Central | 2023 State IN (Lawrence Central H.S. 2023/D1 Indiana 2023) deserved his own bullet point. Craig is an explosive guard that can really fill it up offensively. Good shooter, very bouncy at the end of his drives, and flashes his passing ability as well.