Indiana Basketball: Your early look at the 2020 recruiting class

While the 2019 class is slowly wrapping up, it’s never too early to look ahead at what a possible 2020 recruiting class could look like for Indiana basketball.

Archie Miller is still trying to work his magic on at least one more recruit in the 2019 class with Lester Quinones, announcing on May 10, but he has already been heavily involved in the 2020 class, especially over the last week.

Though the Hoosiers will only have two players leaving for graduation, you can seemingly always count on at least one transfer as well, leaving them with a possible four open scholarships, if they don’t land anyone else in the 2019 class.

With Trayce Jackson-Davis having the possibility, though not expected to, of being a one-and-done, you could even see upwards of five scholarships to play with.

Deeply routed in the in-state recruiting, Miller has put a priority on the top talent in Indiana, and has won that battle for the most part in his short time in Bloomington.

With names like Anthony Leal and Trey Galloway at the top of the list for Miller, he is also going after some of the top talent in the country in Ethan Morton, Caleb Love, and Zach Loveday, to name a few.

Who will end up in Bloomington? Breaking down in scales, here’s how I think the class ends up.

Locks

Anthony Leal (Bloomington South, SG)

The top in-state recruit, Leal has been surrounded by Indiana University since he was young.

Going to school just minutes away from Indiana’s campus, Leal has been on campus multiple times for unofficial visits, and just recently received an offer from the Indiana staff during an in-home visit.

Ranked No. 81 in the 2020 class in 247Sports Composite rankings, he is also the 20th ranked shooting guard in the class. A 6-foot-5 wing, Leal is a tremendous offensive talent, but making headway on defense.

Though his recruitment is more national than some of the other in-state recruits Indiana is looking at, I don’t think Leal spends too much time mulling this offer over.

Trey Galloway (Culvers Academy, SG)

One of the more underrated prospects in the state, Galloway has been slowly rising up the ranks as of late, and continued his good start this summer last weekend at the Adidas Gauntlet event in Dallas.

With Indiana being one of his favorite schools, receiving an offer on Monday may be the tipping point in his recruitment, not that it seemed like there was much competition.

A very good all-around player, Galloway would be a terrific four year player who would easily develop into a fan favorite.

This seems like Indiana’s to lose, and I don’t think that happens.

Warm

Matt Cross (Woodstock Academy, PF)

One of the more recent players in the 2020 class to receive an offer from Miller and staff, Cross has been someone rising up the rankings.

Most recently, Cross scheduled an official visit for May 31, according to Rivals.com and looks to be one of the bigger priorities for the Hoosiers as of now.

Trending up

Caleb Love (Christian Brothers, PG)

Probably the most talented prospect out of the recruits Indiana is targeting, Love’s recruitment has gone national with Duke and Kentucky amping up the communication.

Already on campus for a visit, Love’s connection with the Indiana staff is good, but there is always the draw of the blue bloods.

This is not a recruitment that will go fast, as he continues to rise in the rankings.

With Indiana in better shape with some other guards in the 2020 class, Love will surely want to see what happens with the backcourts’ of his favorites before deciding anything.

Dawson Garcia (Prior Lake, PF)

Another guy who just recently received an offer from Indiana, Garcia is a highly skilled big man who has a very versatile game.

Indiana having an Minnesota tie with Race Thompson currently on the roster, Garcia has stayed in constant communication with the Hoosiers.

Still early in his recruitment, there does seem to be some interest considering the Hoosiers will need big men in 2020.

RJ Davis (Archbishop Stepinac, G)

Receiving an offer from Indiana on Wednesday, the coaching staff has seen a lot of Davis recently.

Missing a lot of time due to injury, his lower ranking doesn’t do his game justice.

With his recruitment expected to take off after a great start to his summer, Indiana is definitely a list of many schools that want the combo guard.

DJ Steward (Whitney Young, G)

One of the biggest weekend of recent memory on the D1 Circuit over May 10-12, Steward put up a 30.8 point per game average including a 46-point performance.

A quick turnaround, the Indiana staff offered Steward a scholarship that Sunday night and have amped up the communication, and the relationship seems to be mutual.

Wildcards

Mabor Majak (Hamilton Southeastern, C)

A South Sudan 7-footer, Majak is a raw talent that has some intriguing skills and connections to Indiana.

His guardian in the US ran the AAU program that Indiana greats Yogi Ferrell and Cody Zeller played for, and also plays on the same team with Anthony Leal, Trey Galloway, and 2021 target Khristian Lander.

Again, the Hoosiers will need depth and size in the front court and a year where he may not have to play much, but get valuable time mentored by some upperclassmen, could do wonders for Majak.

Mike Saunders Jr (Wasatch Academy, PG)

Known for his leadership ability on the floor, Saunders is great in transition and tremendous when it comes to his decision making and playmaking for teammates. On the other end of the floor, he is also a feisty and in your face defender.

With his good play to start the summer, Saunders has received looks from high-major coaches.

On his relationship with Indiana and the atmosphere in Assembly Hall, Saunders told InsideTheHall.com,

"“I’ve been to a couple of Indiana games and I can just tell that everybody in the area is a diehard fan. A lot of the fans are so supportive of the team whether they’re doing good or bad. They’re always going to be behind them. I really like that aspect of Indiana. And the fact that it is home. I wouldn’t mind coming back home. It’s a very good atmosphere. I’ve always liked the basketball there.”"

Terrence Clarke (Brewster Academy, SG)

First off, Clarke is in the 2021 class as of now, and there hasn’t been any truth to the rumors of a possible reclassification to the 2020 class, but it is something to keep an eye on.

Highly regarded as the top recruit in the ’21 class, Clarke is an athletic freak, who can do just about anything.

Already open about his interest in Indiana, on campus last fall, if the NBA and NCAA keep the age limit where it’s at now, there may be a chance at a reclassification and Indiana may be at the top of the list.

Though I say this, don’t hold your breath.

Commitments

Ethan Morton (Butler Area, G) – PURDUE

How the class ends up as of now

G- Anthony Leal

G- Trey Galloway

G- DJ Steward

F- Matt Cross

Obviously there is a long way to go in a lot of these prospects’ recruitment, and names that we haven’t even heard of yet that may end up coming to Bloomington, but as it stands with these recruits now, that’s how I see the class rounding out.

(updated: May 14, 9:42 am)