Indiana Basketball: 2022 PG becoming priority to fill future backcourt hole

Indiana basketball has a strong start to the 2021 recruiting class, but with Khristian Lander expected to make the leap to 2020, a new point guard has sparked some interest.

With the Hoosiers 2020 class all but done and waiting on the reclassification decision from 2021 point guard Khristian Lander, Archie Miller has been active in trying to find additional guards to replace the Indiana basketball backcourt in the coming years.

One name that has started to spark some interest with Archie Miller is 2022 point guard Bruce Thornton. The Atlanta native had a breakout sophomore season and is trending as one of the top guards in the class.

Because of Lander’s probable jump to 2020, that would most likely mean both him and Rob Phinisee would be gone in two years, leaving a gaping hole at the point guard position. Thornton, a four-star prospect, could be the replacement for the Indiana basketball program.

According to Rivals recruiting analyst Dan McDonald, the Hoosiers have already been in contact with Thornton and are expected to putt a full-court press on for the talented target.

"“It’d be wise for Archie Miller and his staff to start looking for his [Lander] replacement soon because he likely won’t be on campus more than a year or two. With that in mind, look for Bruce Thornton, the No. 21 prospect in the 2022 class, to get a long look from Indiana’s staff when the next live period takes place. According to his high school coach and his travel coach, Miller and an assistant have been in touch with Thornton this week to let him know of their interest.”"

Thornton is ranked as the No. 31 overall prospect in the 2022 class 247Sports Composite Rankings and posted terrific numbers this past season. The 6-foot-1 point guard averaged 23.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game while helping lead Milton to a state semi-final berth.

Currently schools such as Auburn, Florida, Alabama, and Xavier amongst others make up his offer list, but Kentucky has continued to show interest and could join the race soon.

Folks will definitely like his game as he is a physical guard who is always going downhill. Though he is very ball dominant, his ability to create off of the bounce is second-to-none in the 2022 class. Not easily moved off of his line, Thornton can score off of ball screens, with dribble pull-ups, in the midrange and excels in transition. While his shot selection can be iffy at times, his confidence is what is extremely intriguing.

Bruce Thornton is an ideal fit for Archie Miller and the Hoosiers and would excel in Indiana’s guard dominant offense. This is definitely a recruitment to keep tabs on as it progresses, especially if Lander makes the presumed jump to the 2020 class.