Indiana Basketball: IU staff prioritizing lethal scorer in 2021 class

One of the top players in the 2021 recruiting class continues to express interest in the Indiana basketball program, and the feeling is mutual.

As the summer slowly winds down and students are starting to arrive back on college campuses, that means it’s time for recruits to slowly make strides in their recruitment. That is the case with one 2021 five-star wing as he continues to speak with the Indiana basketball program.

Aminu Mohammed is currently a top-15 player in the 2021 class and has been a prospect the Indiana staff has put an emphasis on during the early stages of his recruitment. The Hoosiers were one of the first teams to reach out to Mohammed on June 15, the first day teams could have direct phone contact with the rising junior class, and are now trying to secure a visit from the D.C. product according to Mike Schumann of The Daily Hoosier, which would match some of the other reports.

Coming over to the D.C. area from Nigeria before his freshman year of high school, Mohammed has adjusted to basketball in the states nicely in such a short time. In his lone season at Archbishop Carroll (D.C.) he averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds a game as a freshman before transferring to Greenwood Laboratory School in Missouri to be closer to his older brother who plays for Missouri State. While a sophomore, Mohammed put up eye-popping numbers averaging 34.2 points, 17.5 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.3 assists per game.

As you can tell, scoring has never been a problem for the athletic wing, but Rivals’ recruiting analyst Corey Evans was hesitant about ranking him so high until he got to see him play in a highly competitive setting on the AAU circuit.

"“Travel ball helps you connect the dots,” he said. “It gets demonized, but you’re playing against the best players. At the end of the day, how many boxes can he check and how do they translate to the next level?”"

Mohammad went on to exceed expectations as he played a year up, and was a standout on the talented Boo Williams squad on the Nike EYBL circuit averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

So far, Indiana, Louisville, and Maryland seem to be out in front in his recruitment. The 6-foot-4 wing has already had an unofficial visit to Maryland in August.

247Sports Director of Basketball Scouting Jerry Meyer compares Mohammed to former Duke basketball and current Miami Heat wing Justice Winslow.

"“Not long for a wing but has a big, strong build. Can overwhelm opponents with strength and athleticism. Plays with great energy. Competes everywhere on the court. Good ball handler and passer. Scoring off the dribble is his greatest strength. Developing long range shooter. Quality rebounder and defender. Should develop into an first-round NBA draft choice.”"