Spring Stock-Risers: Seven Indiana Rising Sophomores

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is that time of year where school wraps up, seniors graduate, and we begin focusing on “rising seniors”, “rising juniors”, etc. The Class of 2023 still has some shaking out to do, but there are fewer and fewer prospects still available every week. As those recruiting classes get filled the college programs also shift their focus on to the next class. Recruiting is a 24/7, 365 day a year beast. As college coaches begin to turn to their future recruiting efforts, let's highlight seven of the biggest stock-risers in Indiana's Class of 2026 from so far this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561046"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A dynamic scoring guard playing with 5 Star Basketball 2026 on the Adidas Gold circuit, Bardo has turned heads as one of the u0022next upu0022 prospects replacing an Indiana Mr. Basketball at Penn High School. He has some real explosiveness with the ball in his hands and is a proven playmaker both for himself and his teammates. Bardo is definitely a name to remember for years to come in Indiana's Class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1561106"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Ford really burst onto the scene at the recent Prep Hoops Circuit Havoc in the Heartland event in Indianapolis while playing up two age groups with INB Elite 2024. The smaller point guard is a very good shot-creator off of the dribble with good ball handling skills, quickness, and athleticism. He does a great job of creating separation despite his size. Look for him to blossom into a primary role in the backcourt for Brebeuf Jesuit as a rising sophomore during the month of June.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Albert Gooden III","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Lawrence Central","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Team F.E.E.D. Sports Inc. 2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The grandson of recently retired Lawrence Central head coach Al Gooden, this powerful guard had a very good freshman season for the Bears and has continued into the spring leading a talented Team F.E.E.D. Sports Inc. 2026 squad. Gooden III is excellent off of the dribble with the strength necessary to play through contact and get to the rim to finish. He has a smooth pull-up jump shot from the mid-range as well. One of the more talented guards in the class.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1561607"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"This 6'0u0022 guard has been a consistent top performer for a talented Circle City Shooters Elite 2026 squad on the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring. There is a ton of up-and-coming talent at Ben Davis to help fill in the gaps left from graduation on the 33-0 state championship team. Higgins is certainly among the names to know as he continues to develop.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1560964"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"This 6'4u0022 prospect is full of impressive physical tools. Holmes is a mobile, skilled forward for DI Indiana 2026 that can score the basketball in a variety of ways. He has the skill to step out to the perimeter as a catch-and-shoot threat while possessing the size to attack closeouts and finish around the basket. Keep an eye out for his development during the month of June with Princeton High School.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1561023"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"L'homme is quietly showing himself as a one of the better playmaking guards in Indiana's Class of 2026 this spring. The 6'1u0022 guard from Fishers High School has been highly productive for DI Indiana 2026 with his shot-making ability off of the bounce and how he can get to the basket off of the dribble. Whether it be making the right passes to his teammates or scoring it himself he is very, very talented when the ball is in his hands.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1561513"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"There are few, if any, prospects in Indiana's Class of 2026 with more long term potential than this 6'6u0022 wing from Plainfield High School. With Grand Park Premier 2026 UAA this spring, Smith has shown an impressive combination of skills that includes perimeter skill and the size to finish at the rim. He is definitely a prospect that has garnered attention on a statewide level now and should shoot up the rankings in our next update.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646e5634739c7"} /-->