We’ve entered the Tamar Bates phase of the recruiting cycle. And Indiana may get a second bite of the apple when it comes to a class of 2022 recruiting target.
They’ll certainly have a friendly voice in their corner.
Former Florida signee Malik Reneau, a power forward from Montverde Academy, announced on Tuesday he has reopened his recruitment.
The 6-foot-9 Reneau committed to the Gators in September before signing during the early period in November.
“With everything that has transpired at the University of Florida, I have decided to reopen my recruitment,” Reneau wrote in an Instagram post.
What happened at Florida is the departure of head coach Mike White, who left the program to take the opening at Georgia. Reneau waited to announce his decision until after Florida announced Todd Golden would take the place of White.
Memphis, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), Seton Hall, and Arkansas rounded out Reneau’s top-seven. Florida State and Miami both have power forwards signed in their 2022 classes. Arkansas has three small forwards but no power forwards. Memphis currently has no one in their class of 2022. Seton Hall is going through a coach change. Georgia could obviously enter the mix with White there now, as could others.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Reneau is a 5-star prospect, the No. 28 player in the class of 2022, and the No. 4 power forward.
Indiana was one of Reneau’s seven finalists named in the late summer of 2021 before he announced the Florida commitment. He did not make a visit to Bloomington, and committed to Florida just weeks after naming his top-seven.
At Montverde, Reneau is a teammate of Indiana class of 2022 point guard signee Jalen Hood-Schifino. The pair will be playing in the GEICO Nationals beginning later this month in Fort Myers, Fla.
Hailing from Miami, Fla., Reneau helped Montverde to a 24-1 record and the GEICO Nationals championship in the 2020-21 season, posting double-figure scoring games in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Depending on Indiana’s frontcourt departures, Reneau could fill an immediate need for IU. In any case, he could fill a long-term need for the Hoosiers.
“He’s one of the most improved players I’ve had the pleasure to coach in over 30 years. He is the most fundamental 4-5 in America and will be a great college player,” Montverde Academy head coach Kevin Boyle told Zags Blog.
Reneau is a high-motor rebounder who sprints the floor and finds a way to make plays. The lefthander does most of his scoring right now around the basket, including taking his man off the dribble, but he can make jump shots. He is regarded as a high basketball IQ, team-oriented player. Reneau has good length, has a strong physique, and he is an above average athlete.
In ten 2021-22 NIBC games this winter, Reneau averaged 10.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals, .9 blocks. While playing for the Nightrydas Elite program on the Nike EYBL circuit last summer, he contributed 17.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 12 games while shooting 61.8 percent from 2-point range.
Indiana has three signees in its 2022 class — point guard Hood-Schifino, shooting guard C.J. Gunn, and hybrid forward Kaleb Banks. Reneau projects more as a power forward/center at the high major level, and would thus complement the already top-15 class very well.
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