29-04-2025
Now that Braylon Mullins is 2025 Mr. Basketball, a look ahead to potential 2026 contenders
Now that Greenfield-Central senior Braylon Mullins has been named 2025 IndyStar Mr. Basketball, we can start thinking ahead to the 2026 race.
Disclaimer: This is my opinion on how I see the landscape right now and how it could potentially play out next season.
Disclaimer 2: The award is open only to seniors and is voted on by high school basketball coaches and media statewide (this year there were 344 votes total).
Disclaimer 3: I am basing this on current information on where I expect players to be next season.
Also, one of names who would have been listed here — Steven Reynolds III of South Bend Washington — will be spending his senior year in Texas, where his father will be an assistant for the Texas-Arlington women's program and sisters Amiyah, Kira and Mila will enroll. Reynolds III was the highest-ranked in-state prospect in the class (No. 82 by On3sports) with an offer list that includes Michigan State, Purdue, Notre Dame and several more.
Again, this is just a starting point. We can revisit closer to the season …
10 potential favorites
Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon
The point guard and Purdue recruit may have jumped from a favorite to the favorite after his postseason heater. Most memorable was a 36-point, 10-rebound, eight-assist performance in an 83-76 double overtime sectional championship comeback win over Mullins in the sectional championship game at Muncie Fieldhouse. He also went for 29 points in the semistate semifinal against Jeffersonville, though the Marauders came up short in a 63-59 loss. He averaged 22.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for a 21-6 team. Despite missing most of his sophomore season, he will go into his senior with 998 career points.
'Always looking for a battle.' Luke Ertel plays with chip on shoulder
Dikembe Shaw, Crown Point
There are some similar vibes to the 6-7 Shaw as there was to this year's Mr. Basketball runner-up, Jeffersonville's Tre Singleton. Like the Northwestern recruit Singleton, Shaw will go into his senior season playing on a team that has a chance to compete for a Class 4A state championship (Singleton's Jeffersonville team won the title). As a junior, Shaw averaged 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals (and shot 37.9% from the 3-point line) to lead Crown Point to a 23-3 season and Class 4A semistate appearance for a second consecutive year. He has offers so far from Indiana State, IU Indy, Illinois-Chicago and Toledo. Shaw has 861 career points.
Justin Curry, Noblesville
Could the 6-3 Curry be Noblesville's first Mr. Basketball since Tom Coverdale in 1998? He is one of the top prospects in the state in the junior class and was one of six players named to the core Junior All-Stars. DePaul, Illinois-Chicago, Indiana State, Kent State, Northwestern and Toledo have offered Curry. His overall numbers — 15.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game — might not be as impressive as some but he played on a team that went 19-6 and has another top junior in Baron Walker. Curry has 723 career points.
Blake Neill, Bloomfield
The odds of a Class A winner is pretty low considering there has never been one since the start of class basketball in 1997-98. There are only 2A winners: DeShaun Thomas of Fort Wayne Luers in 2010 and Caleb Furst of Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian in 2021. But while the odds may be stacked against the 6-6 Neill, his production is off the charts. Neill, who already has 1,622 career points, averaged 27.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game to lead the Cardinals to a 17-8 record. If Neill can lead Bloomfield to a deep tournament run, I think Neill could get some support.
Noah Smith, Plainfield
The 6-8 Smith was named as one of the six core members of the Junior All-Star team after a season that saw him average 16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocked shots and 1.4 assists for a team that finished 16-8. There is no doubt about Smith being one of the top prospects in the 2026 class (ranked No. 130 in the country in the latest 2026 rankings by On3sports). He already has offers from DePaul, Indiana State, Toledo and Xavier. If Smith hits that next level with his game, he definitely jumps into serious consideration.
Kai McGrew, Fishers
The 6-9 McGrew is a transfer from Lawrence North who is on the core Junior All-Stars. He came on strong to average 14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists this season to help the Wildcats to a 22-7 record and Class 4A semistate championship game appearance. McGrew, who played his freshman year in Colorado, has 911 career points. One thing worth noting here is there have not been a lot of transfer players win Mr. Basketball. The closest example in this case might be Lafayette Jeff's Mark Jewell, who won Mr. Basketball in 1986 after transferring from Terre Haute North following his junior year.
E.J. Hazelett, Franklin Central
The 6-7 Hazelett missed a good chunk of his junior season due to a foot injury but is certainly one of the most talented players in the class. He averaged 12.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game (shot 38.9% from the 3-point line) as a junior. Hazelett, who has 726 career points, picked up early offers from Indiana State and Kent State. Franklin Central would have to improve on its 8-15 record for Hazelett to jump into consideration.
Brennan Miller, Lawrence North
The 6-7 Miller averaged 13.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals as a junior to earn Junior All-Stars honors. Miller has offers from Akron, IU Indy, Kent State, Toledo, Valparaiso and Wright State. With Mr. Basketball finalist Azavier Robinson graduating and Kai McGrew transferring, Miller will have quite a bit more on his shoulders going into next season for a Lawrence North team that was 22-7 last year and played in the Class 4A semistate. Miller has 871 career points.
Kasen Daeger, Silver Creek
News flash: Silver Creek is going to be really good. The Dragons were 22-5 this season and played for a 3A sectional championship, losing by two points to Brownstown Central. Daeger, how has offers from Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri State, averaged 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists and shot 40% (57-for-144) from the 3-point line. He has 1,030 career points.
Keriawn Berry, Avon
The 6-5 transferred in from Louisville Trinity and earned Junior All-Stars honors as he averaged 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game on a balanced Avon team that finished 20-4. Berry, who has offers from Ball State, Coastal Carolina and IU Indy, will take on a bigger load for the Orioles next season with several seniors gone to graduation.
Others to consider
Anthony Fresh, Charlestown: Averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.2 steals on a 3A team that finished 18-6. A 39% (45-for-115) 3-point shooter.
Drew Haffner, Westfield: On a balanced 18-4 Westfield team, Haffner led the Shamrocks in scoring at 12.4 points per game and shot 48% (48-for-100) from the 3-point. Should have been a Junior All-Star in my opinion.
Terrence Hayes Jr., Gary 21 st Century: The 6-1 Hayes averaged 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.4 steals for a 21-7 team that played in the semistate championship. Shot 40% (46-for-115) from the 3-point line. Has 1,340 career points.
Edwin Holmes, Princeton: The 6-7 Holmes averaged 16.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.7 blocked shots on a 24-3 Class 3A regional title team. Has 1,033 career points.
Tyrese Jones, South Bend Riley: The junior turned some heads with a 45-point performance in Riley's 77-71 double overtime win over Warsaw in the regional. Transferred from closed South Bend Clay. Averaged 14.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals.
JaShawn Ladd, Ben Davis: The 6-5 guard averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals to help the Giants to a 17-9 season. Shot 41% (41-for-99) from the 3-point line.
Treigh Schelsky, Parke Heritage: Has 1,398 career points. Helped Parke Heritage to back-to-back Class 2A semistate championship game appearances. Averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals this season.
Nick Shrewsberry, South Bend St. Joseph: The 6-4 Shrewsberry averaged 13.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game for the 27-3 Class 3A state champions. Shot 36.3% (78-for-215) from the 3-point line.
Julien Smith, Cathedral: Mt. Vernon transfer averaged 13.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists as a junior. Shot 42.2% (62-for-147) from the 3-point line. Has 1,011 career points. Picked up an offer from Detroit Mercy during the season.
Baron Walker, Noblesville: The 6-2 Walker averaged 15.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game to help the Millers to a 19-6 record. Shot 40.2% (37-for-92) from 3-point line.
