Indiana Basketball Enters the Signing Period with Three Scholarship Openings

It’s not as if they are burning a hole in his pocket, but Indiana head basketball coach Archie Miller is entering the home stretch of the class of 2019 recruiting period with three open scholarships on his 2019-20 roster.

And he has been quite active as he attempts to fill the gaps.

With the 2018-19 season now several weeks into the rear view mirror, Miller and his staff have been pursuing multiple options as they attempt to round out next season’s team.

The college basketball spring signing period runs from April 17 to May 15, meaning that over the next month there are likely to be multiple new additions to the IU roster.

At this time last year IU had two openings and ended up signing Romeo Langford and Evan Fitzner in late April and early May.

Let’s review who the top remaining prospects are in 2019, and where things stand with each of them.

JOEY BRUNK (GRADUATE TRANSFER – BUTLER)

If you watched any Big Ten basketball this year, then you know the value of a skilled and physical 6-foot-11 big man.  Indiana was a finalist for Brunk in the class of 2016 and could certainly utilize him during his final two years of eligibility.

Brunk averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game during the 2018-19 season.  Those numbers translate to 16.3 and 7.7 per 40 minutes.

The Indianapolis native should be deciding very soon and IU appears to be in the driver’s seat.

(Update:  Brunk verbally committed to Indiana on Tuesday)

DANIEL UTOMI (GRADUATE TRANSFER – AKRON)

Indiana has been mentioned as at least expressing interest in Utomi, who played the last three seasons at Akron.  The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 14.2 points and 5.5 rebounds during the 2018-19 campaign while shooting better than 37 percent from three point range.

Utomi is a floor spacing wing that could provide some much needed perimeter shooting from IU’s front court.  His numbers did drop off some from 2017-18 when he averaged 16.7 points per game and shot better than 40% from long range.

This is a highly competitive recruitment that has included interest from the likes of North Carolina and Virginia, among many others.

Probability – 5%

JALEN WINDHAM (BEN DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL, INDIANAPOLIS)

Windham originally committed to play for Ron Hunter at Georgia State.  When Hunter left that job for Tulane, the 6-foot-5 Windham re-opened his recruitment.

Windham led Ben Davis to the state title game and is an Indiana All-Star.  He averaged 17.9 points per game as a senior.

Indiana intends to watch his workout on April 22.  This is difficult one to place a probability on, because if Indiana offers, he is likely to accept.  But what is the likelihood of an offer?  Creighton is another strong contender.

Probability – 25%

LESTER QUINONES (IMG ACADEMY, FLORIDA)

Quinones is planning to take an official visit to Indiana next week (April 24-26).  The competition is fierce with Memphis, LSU, Maryland and Michigan also in the mix.

The fact that Indiana got the 6-foot-5 shooting guard in for an official visit is reason for hope, but IU was a late entrant in this process and continues to have ground to make up.

Known for his perimeter shot, Quinones might be able to fill a need on Indiana’s roster next year.  He is a 4-star recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and the No. 65 overall player in the nation.

Probability – 15%

TRENDON WATFORD (MOUNTAIN BROOK, ALABAMA)

Watford is a name that is familiar to most Indiana fans.  The 6-foot-8 forward has indicated on multiple occassions that his brother and former IU star Christian is heavily involved in his recruitment.

According to multiple reports, Indiana coaches were able to meet with the Watford family over the weekend.  Trendon stated on Monday that he will not be announcing a commitment on April 20 as was previously planned.  If nothing else, that should give IU additional time to gain traction in a recruitment that they were seemingly out of until a few weeks ago.

Indiana is competing with Memphis, LSU, Duke and Alabama for the 5-star prospect.

Probability – 15%

ANTHONY HARRIS (ST. PAUL VI, VIRGINIA)

Harris is a new name on the board, but a familiar name as well.  An IU target last summer, Harris originally committed to Virginia Tech but asked for and received his release when Buzz Williams left the Hokies for Texas A&M.

Known best as a defender and a leader, Harris showed an improving perimeter shot last summer when he made better than 50% of his three point shots on the Nike EYBL circuit as his team won the Peach Jam.

Harris is a bit of a wildcard because he tore his ACL in December, but the top 100 recruit is expected to make a full recovery and will end up being a major recruiting coup for someone.

Probability – 25%

KEEP AN EYE ON…

We haven’t confirmed any connections to IU, but IUPUI graduate transfer Camron Justice could be an intriguing prospect.   Justice led the Jaguars with 18.6 points a game while shooting 42.5% from the field and 35.2% from long range.  The former Kentucky Mr. Basketball spent two years at Vanderbilt prior to transferring to IUPUI.  With one year of eligibility remaining, he would be a low risk option with the potential to provide meaningful contributions.

Note:  Former 2019 target Harlond Beverly committed to Miami on Monday.

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