Top Transfers – Kokomo and Evansville Reitz
Talking about transfers at the high school level can be a touchy, even sometimes taboo, subject. There is a segment of Indiana High School Basketball purists that simply will never approve of kids and their families seeking different opportunities. While…
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Continue ReadingTalking about transfers at the high school level can be a touchy, even sometimes taboo, subject. There is a segment of Indiana High School Basketball purists that simply will never approve of kids and their families seeking different opportunities. While recruiting and influencing high school student-athletes to change schools for basketball-specific reasons is thought of as “not good” by a consensus of fans, there are always unique circumstances to each transfer that most will never know. More times than not, there are not the nefarious reasons behind a transfer that many people seem to want to believe. Sometimes it truly can be as simply as a family moving to a new place. In Indiana, with open enrollment, that also means that when entering a new area student-athletes have the right to choose the situation they deem to be the best fit. There are enough basketball powerhouses in every major metropolitan area that “recruiting” in the traditional sense doesn’t even come into play. The schools and programs simply recruit themselves based on the banners on the wall and the alumni playing in college and beyond. With all that being said, let’s take a look at some of the top transfers throughout the state of Indiana entering the 2023-2024 high school basketball season. Let’s take a look at the top transfers coming into Kokomo and Evansville Reitz.
Hammel was highly productive at New Haven High School during his freshman season and then moved into Kokomo just after the school year began. He is a dynamic guard with excellent straight line quickness, a real burst off of the dribble, and the explosiveness to elevate and finish at the rim. The Wildkats were in need of some backcourt help and Hammell will certainly provide that for the defending Class 4A state runner-up.
Highlights
Lawrence is a well established shooter and has certainly put himself on the map as one of the best marksmen in the Evansville area. He played a role for Evansville Memorial as a freshman and then expanded it as a sophomore averaging 9.4 points per game including knocking in 44 three-point attempts. Now, he will move across town to play for a very talented Evansville Reitz team. Looking for his catch-and-shoot ability to translate right away.
Highlights
Kokomo added two young guards to their backcourt, but this athletic, physical 4-man might be the most impactful addition of the off-season. Mitchell is back in the Hoosier state after playing his junior season in Kentucky at Owensboro High School. He is an excellent rebounder, plays through contact around the basket, and has been highly productive recently at the Metro Indy Fall League. His talent around the basket will pair well next to the best big man in the country which the Wildkats feature at the 5-spot.
One of the more dynamic playmaking guards in Indiana’s Class of 2026, Moore averaged 12.8 points and 2.8 assists per game as a freshman at Taylor High School last season. Now, he will suit up for the Kokomo Wildkats who are fresh off of advancing to the Class 4A state championship game. He is an excellent athlete that brings some defensive ability to the table as well. Teaming up with Hamell in the backcourt will certainly increasing the playmaking ability for Kokomo this winter.
Here is what was written about Swanson after he attended our Prep Hoops Indiana Top 250 Expo two weeks ago: “A new arrival in the Hoosier state. Transferring in from Gonzaga Prep in Washington state. Swanson provides game changing speed and playmaking ability. Appeared to be moving at a different pace than everyone else. While also showing maturity and playing under control. Coaches son— his father is an assistant on the University of Evansville staff. However more importantly, he plays like it. Doesn’t dribble into trouble or over penetrate. Good kick out passer who seemed to always have an escape valve. Covered a lot of space with a big power dribble in the paint. Helped to make up for the lack of elite size. Consummate pass-first point guard with excellent court vision.”