It has been a busy few weeks for Indiana basketball. Between IU media day, Hoosier Hysteria, Big Ten Media Day and numerous visits in between, the Hoosiers are getting ready to rock and roll this season.
Let's start with Hoosier Hysteria (sorry about the delay here a few things popped up the last week). Indiana had 10 prospects on campus, from commits to 2024 prospects to numerous 2025 targets as well. The overwhelming report following the weekend was phenomenal. Didn't hear a bad thing about it.
Here is what some of the prospects had to say about the weekend.
2023 commit Gabe Cupps: "It was awesome. Gave me and everyone else that sense that it’s almost basketball season, which is super exciting. It was definitely beneficial to meet some of those guys (recruits) and hang out with Jakai (Newton). Always good to start relationships early and keep talking to guys that you’re gonna play with."
2023 commit Jakai Newton: "It was great. Can’t wait to come back for the UNC game."
2024 four-star forward Raleigh Burgess: “The weekend was great and the atmosphere was something else. We all had fun"
2024 wing Caleb Williams (official): "Hoosier Hysteria was a great event. I'd only been to one of this midnight madness events at Villanova. Similar environment for what the basketball team was doing. But for Indiana, it was great, I don't know how to put it in words. I got the sense of how big Indiana fans are about Indiana basketball... you could feel the excitement in the arena and the fans behind Indiana basketball.”
2025 four-star guard Trey McKenney: "It was electric. Very well ran practices. Coaches that seem to care about the person and athlete. My interest has always been high concerning IU. There isn’t nothing to dislike about their program from the coaches to the fans."
2025 guard EJ Walker: "It was amazing and a lot of fun. Looking forward to coming back soon."
2025 four-star forward Trent Sisley (quote from his dad): "Good. Entire family went. Met w coaches and talked to some players. Did the concert. Met with coaches at end. Fun night."
As you can tell, some already have plans on being back, again. Jakai Newton plans to be back Nov. 30 for the UNC game. Gabe Cupps is planning on coming to 5-6 games this year at a minimum. He has a few dates in mind and is making sure they work with the coaching staff. EJ Walker is setting up a true unofficial visit with the coaches as well. Trent Sisley already has been on campus a few times this fall and will be back for Nov. 30 as well. Jalen Haralson -- who was expected to attend Hoosier Hysteria but had to miss due to an invite to USA Basketball mini camp -- will be back for Nov. 30 as well.
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2024 five-star Monteverde Academy forward Asa Newell begins his official visit to Indiana later today and will run through mid-Sunday. This will be the second official visit he has taken this fall, his first being Georgia a few weeks ago. His brother is a walk-on on the UGA roster.
Newell took an unofficial visit to Indiana earlier this spring/summer.
Some key quotes from Newell's unofficial visit
"We had fun. it was a fun visit. It was a very well prepared visit. We toured the facility and campus, took some pictures," Justin Newell, Asa's dad, said. "It was a lot of fun. Probably the best unofficial visit we've had so far."
"The whole coaching staff has value that they would add to Asa's experience there. Also coach Clif (Marshall) has a really tight relationship and a lot of desire to care and mentor the players on a deeper level and that's something that means a lot to us. I was very impressed by coach Clif and how he incorporates his core values and beliefs into the system."
"We're definitely going to be monitoring to see how the season plays out," Justin Newell said. "One thing they (Indiana staff) continued to mention was that the players in Malik and Jalen arrived ready. They were ready, their bodies were ready, basketball IQ ready. More-so than most freshmen when they step on campus. So I'd like to see how the season plays out and how the system works for them."
"He was comparing me to Trayce. He showed me clips of Trayce and things he was doing and how I could fit into the offense," Newell said. "A lot of pick and pop and shooting the three-ball."
Newell was recently a standout at the Hoop Exchange Fall Festival. Rivals analyst Russ Wood broke down his performance:
"Newell’s size, skill and athleticism are elite. A lean, versatile lefty, Newell has an advanced feel for the game. He can grab a rebound, start the break and initiate the offense. He needs to add strength but that does not deter Newell from attacking the rim to score or aggressively seeking rebounds. Since arriving at Montverde Academy, the 2024 forward is more aggressive at both ends of the floor."
Brief overview of Newell's recruitment:
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2024 four-star guard of Carmel Christian (NC) Jaeden Mustaf is still working on his rescheduled official visit. There is some talk it could happen next week for Indiana's exhibition game against Marian. They have discussed that. It could also be once the season begins.
Conversations still going well there. He is coming off of official visits to Georgetown and Florida State.
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A new name to monitor in the class of 2024 is Overtime Elite forward Somto Cyril. He is a 6-foot-10 big that Indiana is in contact with.
We will see if a visit happens, if it does though, Indiana could be in a main group he focuses on.
Rivals national recruiting director Rob Cassidy broke down Cyril's game this summer:
"When it comes to playing vertically, the 245-pound Cyril is as explosive and dangerous as any big man in the country. He spent Saturday afternoon wowing onlookers with tip-dunks and finishing lobs, but also made a difference defensively, where he used his size and explosiveness to pin shots against the backboard and force guards into tossing up low-percentage floaters. The broad-shouldered Cyril needs some polish offensively, but he’s built like an NFL defensive end and has raw ability in spades. His high ceiling is obvious. Reaching it will depend on how he absorbs coaching in the year ahead."
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2025 five-star Lincoln Park (PA) guard Meleek Thomas is set to visit Indiana on Nov. 30 for the UNC game, he has told TheHoosier.com. He is interested in Indiana.
Initial impression: "Great staff, great program, with coach woody being in the pros for so long and sharing his knowledge and them just being so supportive already is a great first impression."
Thomas was a standout at the USA basketball mini-camp last week.
Brief overview of his recruitment:
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Indiana coaches were on the road this week visiting numerous prospects. Players included on that list were:
2024 wing Caleb Williams
2024 guard Jaeden Mustaf
2024 guard Rakease Passmore
2025 guard Meleek Thomas
2025 center Alier Maluk
Here is info on all:
Let's start with Hoosier Hysteria (sorry about the delay here a few things popped up the last week). Indiana had 10 prospects on campus, from commits to 2024 prospects to numerous 2025 targets as well. The overwhelming report following the weekend was phenomenal. Didn't hear a bad thing about it.
Here is what some of the prospects had to say about the weekend.
2023 commit Gabe Cupps: "It was awesome. Gave me and everyone else that sense that it’s almost basketball season, which is super exciting. It was definitely beneficial to meet some of those guys (recruits) and hang out with Jakai (Newton). Always good to start relationships early and keep talking to guys that you’re gonna play with."
2023 commit Jakai Newton: "It was great. Can’t wait to come back for the UNC game."
2024 four-star forward Raleigh Burgess: “The weekend was great and the atmosphere was something else. We all had fun"
2024 wing Caleb Williams (official): "Hoosier Hysteria was a great event. I'd only been to one of this midnight madness events at Villanova. Similar environment for what the basketball team was doing. But for Indiana, it was great, I don't know how to put it in words. I got the sense of how big Indiana fans are about Indiana basketball... you could feel the excitement in the arena and the fans behind Indiana basketball.”
2025 four-star guard Trey McKenney: "It was electric. Very well ran practices. Coaches that seem to care about the person and athlete. My interest has always been high concerning IU. There isn’t nothing to dislike about their program from the coaches to the fans."
2025 guard EJ Walker: "It was amazing and a lot of fun. Looking forward to coming back soon."
2025 four-star forward Trent Sisley (quote from his dad): "Good. Entire family went. Met w coaches and talked to some players. Did the concert. Met with coaches at end. Fun night."
As you can tell, some already have plans on being back, again. Jakai Newton plans to be back Nov. 30 for the UNC game. Gabe Cupps is planning on coming to 5-6 games this year at a minimum. He has a few dates in mind and is making sure they work with the coaching staff. EJ Walker is setting up a true unofficial visit with the coaches as well. Trent Sisley already has been on campus a few times this fall and will be back for Nov. 30 as well. Jalen Haralson -- who was expected to attend Hoosier Hysteria but had to miss due to an invite to USA Basketball mini camp -- will be back for Nov. 30 as well.
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2024 five-star Monteverde Academy forward Asa Newell begins his official visit to Indiana later today and will run through mid-Sunday. This will be the second official visit he has taken this fall, his first being Georgia a few weeks ago. His brother is a walk-on on the UGA roster.
Newell took an unofficial visit to Indiana earlier this spring/summer.
Some key quotes from Newell's unofficial visit
"We had fun. it was a fun visit. It was a very well prepared visit. We toured the facility and campus, took some pictures," Justin Newell, Asa's dad, said. "It was a lot of fun. Probably the best unofficial visit we've had so far."
"The whole coaching staff has value that they would add to Asa's experience there. Also coach Clif (Marshall) has a really tight relationship and a lot of desire to care and mentor the players on a deeper level and that's something that means a lot to us. I was very impressed by coach Clif and how he incorporates his core values and beliefs into the system."
"We're definitely going to be monitoring to see how the season plays out," Justin Newell said. "One thing they (Indiana staff) continued to mention was that the players in Malik and Jalen arrived ready. They were ready, their bodies were ready, basketball IQ ready. More-so than most freshmen when they step on campus. So I'd like to see how the season plays out and how the system works for them."
"He was comparing me to Trayce. He showed me clips of Trayce and things he was doing and how I could fit into the offense," Newell said. "A lot of pick and pop and shooting the three-ball."
Newell was recently a standout at the Hoop Exchange Fall Festival. Rivals analyst Russ Wood broke down his performance:
"Newell’s size, skill and athleticism are elite. A lean, versatile lefty, Newell has an advanced feel for the game. He can grab a rebound, start the break and initiate the offense. He needs to add strength but that does not deter Newell from attacking the rim to score or aggressively seeking rebounds. Since arriving at Montverde Academy, the 2024 forward is more aggressive at both ends of the floor."
Brief overview of Newell's recruitment:
TheHoosier - Five-star Asa Newell updates his recruitment
Five-star Asa Newell is ranked No. 6 in the 2024 Rivals150.
indiana.rivals.com
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2024 four-star guard of Carmel Christian (NC) Jaeden Mustaf is still working on his rescheduled official visit. There is some talk it could happen next week for Indiana's exhibition game against Marian. They have discussed that. It could also be once the season begins.
Conversations still going well there. He is coming off of official visits to Georgetown and Florida State.
---
A new name to monitor in the class of 2024 is Overtime Elite forward Somto Cyril. He is a 6-foot-10 big that Indiana is in contact with.
We will see if a visit happens, if it does though, Indiana could be in a main group he focuses on.
Rivals national recruiting director Rob Cassidy broke down Cyril's game this summer:
"When it comes to playing vertically, the 245-pound Cyril is as explosive and dangerous as any big man in the country. He spent Saturday afternoon wowing onlookers with tip-dunks and finishing lobs, but also made a difference defensively, where he used his size and explosiveness to pin shots against the backboard and force guards into tossing up low-percentage floaters. The broad-shouldered Cyril needs some polish offensively, but he’s built like an NFL defensive end and has raw ability in spades. His high ceiling is obvious. Reaching it will depend on how he absorbs coaching in the year ahead."
---
2025 five-star Lincoln Park (PA) guard Meleek Thomas is set to visit Indiana on Nov. 30 for the UNC game, he has told TheHoosier.com. He is interested in Indiana.
Initial impression: "Great staff, great program, with coach woody being in the pros for so long and sharing his knowledge and them just being so supportive already is a great first impression."
Thomas was a standout at the USA basketball mini-camp last week.
Brief overview of his recruitment:
Video Interview: 5-star Meleek Thomas discusses early stages of recruitment
2025 five-star Meleek Thomas discusses the early stages of his recruitment.
indiana.rivals.com
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Indiana coaches were on the road this week visiting numerous prospects. Players included on that list were:
2024 wing Caleb Williams
2024 guard Jaeden Mustaf
2024 guard Rakease Passmore
2025 guard Meleek Thomas
2025 center Alier Maluk
Here is info on all:
IU staff on the road visiting prospects on Wednesday
The Indiana coaching staff is on the road today visiting a few prospects. 2025 five-star Lincoln Park (PA) guard Meleek Thomas --> Thomas told TheHoosier.com he will be visiting Indiana Nov. 30 for an unofficial visit -- IU's matchup with No. 1 North Carolina. Duke will also be in to see...
indiana.forums.rivals.com
