IU basketball has two of the top-70 players in college basketball this season, ESPN says.
Power forward Aiden Sherrell is the No. 62 overall player in the sport according to a compilation of the top-100 by Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf. Markus Burton is No. 69.
Sherrell is looking to make a major jump after a solid sophomore season. He was a starter in all 34 games played for Alabama last season. He averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game while shooting 53.9% overall including 33.8% from the 3-point line.
His defensive presence stands out the most to ESPN. Here’s what Medcalf said about the 7-foot and 250-pound Sherrell:
“Sherrell, a 6-10 forward who averaged 11.1 points and 2.2 blocks per game, was such an intimidating defensive force for Alabama last season that players rarely challenged him at the rim; whenever they did, it did not go well for them. Per Synergy Sports, opposing players made just 40% (20 of 50) of their shots around the rim against him last season. He will be an immediate addition for the Hoosiers and one of the league’s top interior defenders.”
Burton, the 2023 Indiana Mr. Basketball from South Bend, arrived during the offseason from Notre Dame.
Over the last three years the 6-foot Burton averaged 19.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 steals in 33.2 minutes per game from his point guard role, while shooting 43.8% overall, including 33.2% from three.
Here’s what Borzello says about Burton:
“Burton hasn’t played a full season since 2023-24, missing large parts of each of the past two campaigns with injuries. When fully healthy, however, the 6-footer can be one of the best point guards in America. He averaged 18.5 points in 10 games last season at Notre Dame after averaging 21.3 points in 26 games the season prior. Surrounded by more talent and in a different system, Burton’s scoring numbers could go down, but Indiana will love his dynamism.”
Sherrell and Burton are on the preseason watch lists for the Karl Malone and Bob Cousy awards, which go to the nation’s top power forward and point guard, respectively.
A favorite to win the Big Ten this season, Illinois has four players on the ESPN top-100 list.
Former Hoosiers Malik Reneau (Miami, No. 22) and Mackenzie Mgbako (Texas A&M, No. 79) are also among the top-100.
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