Live Period Preview - Eight Indiana Prospects to Watch, Part One

After what has already seemed like a long spring we have finally made it to the first live evaluation period. Small college coaches have been out on the recruiting trail for several weeks now, but this will be the first weekend that Division I coaches will be out and about. We all know that there is a different buzz in the gym when the big name coaches start to show up. Prep Hoops Indiana will have boots on the ground coverage from UAA Session II/UA Rise Session I in Hamilton, Ohio this weekend. [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'], Indiana Jammers, [program_tooltip program_id='2228160' first='OPS' last=''], and Progeny compete on the UA Rise Circuit across the 15u, 16u, and 17u age groups (Progeny 15u is a UAA team and [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] 16u will compete this weekend at the UAA level as well). While we will specifically be at this event, we will, as always, have eyes and ears in gyms all across the country. Ahead of the live period we wanted to specifically highlight some prospects from the Hoosier state that college coaches should focus on watching at various events this weekend.    What position is he? That is likely the most common question when it comes to evaluating this 6'4" prospect from Cathedral High School. Aldridge Jr. is definitely one of the more unique players in Indiana's Class of 2026. He operates like a point guard, but does most of his scoring around the rim. Additionally, he is left-handed but seems just as comfortable, if not more so, finishing with his right hand inside. Regardless of what position you project him at for the college level the truth is that it is hard to ignore the production. Aldridge Jr. has continued to produce at a high level on the EYCL Circuit for Bates Fundamentals and should draw the attention of college coaches at various levels this weekend in Memphis.     Anytime you come across a 6'9"-6'10" prospect you are going to be intrigued. Big man are simply always in style in that sense. Crews has started to really show some improvements and developments of late. Naturally, this will be a big spring and summer for him starting with this first live evaluation period. Being able to see him play with and against some of the best players in the country will give Division I coaches an idea of what he is capable of at the next level. The center from Gary West Side High School is playing with Meanstreets and will be at EYBL Session II in Memphis.     Hinton is an interesting case heading into the first live evaluation period. The explosive 5'10" point guard from Gary West Side reported an offer from Northern Illinois back in January of 2024 and has taken visits to schools such as Western Michigan and Valparaiso. He also obviously plays at a very high level on the EYBL Circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='2076927' first='Indy' last='Heat']. However, it is fair to say he isn't as well known nationally or as highly ranked as some of his teammates. We at Prep Hoops Indiana don't have many reservations about his size because his strength and explosiveness make up for it. Scholarship level programs, including low-major Division I schools, should make it a point of evaluating Hinton while in Memphis for EYBL Session II this weekend.     It is hard to argue with the statistical production that Lawson put up as a junior. He finished the year averaging 18.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. The 6'5" guard, who can run the point, certainly has the size and length that college coaches look for as well. However, admittedly, Columbus East doesn't consistently play the best competition in southern Indiana. College programs should take the opportunity to evaluate Lawson this weekend with [program_tooltip program_id='2400000' first='Indiana' last='Elite Team Indiana'] while they play on the 3SGB Circuit in Elkhorn, Nebraska.     With his high school team, Neill was one of the top scorers in the state averaging 27.5 points per game for Bloomfield while earning a spot on the Indiana Junior All-Star team. Obviously, he is the primary option for the Cardinals. Now, with [program_tooltip program_id='2076166' first='Grand' last='Park Premier'], he has settled into more of an off-the-ball catch-and-shoot role. His ability to so seamlessly slide into either role is something that college coaches should take notice of during the live period. Excellent shooters with positional size are always something that coaches are looking for and Neill checks those boxes.     College coaches always come back around at some point in the recruiting process and want a list of big men that they should get in on. Pickel is one that should attract some real interest sooner rather than later. He moves so well at 6'8" and has some real bounciness around the basket. Progeny will be in Hamilton, Ohio on the UA Rise Circuit and he is one of many interesting prospects on that roster that should attract the attention of coaches from various levels. If you want a big man who can run the floor, operate on the role, finish with some explosiveness out of the dunker's spot, and clean up the glass then Picket is your man.     A highly productive high school player at Triton Central, Sego has parlayed his success into the spring with Indiana Basketball Club - Oldham. The 6'0" guard is an above-average three-point shooter, has shown a real willingness as a playmaker while playing alongside some talented teams, and contributes to winning in all settings. Small college programs, including scholarship school, will want to get eyes on this IBC team and Sego is certainly one of the prospects worth evaluating. He projects as one of the top small college backcourt prospects in Indiana's Class of 2026.     Another smaller guard that received a good deal of early college interest in his career, Smith will suit up with [program_tooltip program_id='2076451' first='D1' last='Indiana'] out in Elkhorn, Nebraska this weekend as they compete on the 3SGB Circuit. Smith has had an outstanding spring at every turn. He can flat out score the basketball and is dynamic enough with the ball in his hands to create his own shot at every level. Also, despite being 5'10"-5'11", Smith elevates so well that he has no problem finishing against size. The Cathedral High School guard is also a very active and disruptive defender. Scholarship schools across various levels should make it a point to see him, along with several of his [program_tooltip program_id='2076451' first='D1' last='Indiana'] teammates, this live period.

After what has already seemed like a long spring we have finally made it to the first live evaluation period. Small college coaches have been out on the recruiting trail for several weeks now, but this will be the first weekend that Division I coaches will be out and about. We all know that there is a different buzz in the gym when the big name coaches start to show up. Prep Hoops Indiana will have boots on the ground coverage from UAA Session II/UA Rise Session I in Hamilton, Ohio this weekend. Indiana Game , Indiana Jammers, OPS , and Progeny compete on the UA Rise Circuit across the 15u, 16u, and 17u age groups (Progeny 15u is a UAA team and Indiana Game 16u will compete this weekend at the UAA level as well). While we will specifically be at this event, we will, as always, have eyes and ears in gyms all across the country. Ahead of the live period we wanted to specifically highlight some prospects from the Hoosier state that college coaches should focus on watching at various events this weekend.