In a talented in-state class of 2021, another name has emerged on the high major radar this season — and he is up in enemy territory.
And for Indiana fans that are clamoring for better perimeter shooting, Lafayette Jeff High School junior Brooks Barnhizer might just be the state’s best from behind the arc.
Leading one of the better teams in Class 4A, Barnhizer has put up impressive numbers during his junior season, just a few miles down the road from Purdue.
Barnhizer is averaging 21.4 points per game for the Bronchos, but it is his efficiency scoring the ball that really makes his numbers pop. The 6-foot-6 wing is shooting 57 percent from the field overall and an impressive 45 percent (49-of-109) from three-point range. All of those numbers have increased from a sophomore season that saw Barnhizer average 16.2 points while shooting 47 percent overall including 38 percent from behind the arc.
The son of Jeff head coach Mark Barnhizer, Brooks does a little bit of everything for the Bronchos, adding 9.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game this season.
It is a true family affair at Jeff for Brooks, with his 6-foot-3 senior brother Braxton also scoring 21 points a game for the Bronchos. Braxton has an offer from Detroit and former IU head coach Mike Davis.
Mark Barnhizer attended Purdue briefly before transferring to Auburn and playing three seasons for the Tigers in the late ’70s. The family members are all Indiana natives, but there was a brief return to Alabama recently when Mark coached at Alma for a few years.
The Barnhizer family moved up to Lafayette from Alabama two years ago when Mark, a Lapel, Ind. native, took the head coaching job at Jeff.
Brooks Barnhizer told The Daily Hoosier that Indiana assistant coach Bruiser Flint came up to watch him play on Feb. 6 in a game against McCutcheon. He responded with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting in that contest, and it has been a recurring theme that Barnhizer puts up big numbers in big games.
He scored 30 points against Class 4A No. 2 ranked Lawrence Central, a team with at least three high major recruits on its roster. Barnhizer also poured in 28 against No. 13 Warren Central, 31 against Marion, and 29 against Fishers.
Barnhizer played at the IU team camp last summer. While high school basketball sectional play will prevent him from attending either of the IU games this week, Flint and Barnhizer discussed getting the rising prospect down to Bloomington for a visit in the near future.
No. 8 Lafayette Jeff (21-4) is hosting their sectional and they received a first round bye. The Bronchos will face Harrison on Friday.
Indiana will of course be able to watch Barnhizer throughout the spring and summer during AAU play. Barnhizer told The Daily Hoosier that he has not yet decided what AAU team he will play with, and he isn’t focused on that decision until after his high school season comes to an end.
Barnhizer’s strong junior season has pushed his name into the national recruiting rankings. 247Sports has him slotted in as the No. 148 player in the country in the class of 2021, and the No. 9 player in the state of Indiana.
According to his 247Sports profile page, Barnhizer has a number of Division One offers including high majors Xavier, Butler and Northwestern.
Below you can see some brief highlights of Barnhizer against Fishers (he is No. 13). You can also go here to see his complete game against Lawrence Central.
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