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Indiana Basketball: Lander makes it official and will be a Hoosier in 2020

By Adam Childs

BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 26: The Indiana Hoosiers logo on the uniform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Assembly Hall on January 26, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 26: The Indiana Hoosiers logo on the uniform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Assembly Hall on January 26, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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The Indiana basketball team got great news on Monday morning when Khristian Lander announced he would reclassify to the 2020 class.

The Hoosier faithful will get to see the prized recruit of the 2021 class a year earlier than originally expected. Khristian Lander told 247sports on Monday morning that he will, in fact, be reclassifying and will join the 2020 class.

"“After a long talk with me and my family, we have decided that I will reclassify into the class of 2020 and I will be attending (Indiana) in the fall,” Lander informed 247Sports."

This news was gaining steam lately but until Monday morning it was still just a possibility. The news is huge for the Hoosiers and improves an already very good recruiting class.

Lander joins fellow Indiana graduates Anthony Leal and Trey Galloway, along with Jordan Geronimo to make up a highly anticipated class. All four could see significant minutes their freshman years and make a great group of core players moving forward.

Lander made a huge splash when he committed to the Hoosiers over Louisville and Michigan during the season. It was Archie Miller‘s biggest recruiting win to date and he is hoping that Lander can help lead the Hoosiers back into contention in the rough Big Ten.

Lander is a 5-star point guard who was ranked as the 24th prospect in the 2021 class according to 247sports. He will fight for time with Rob Phinisee but has said he thinks it is a great opportunity to play next to him.

"“I think it is a really good opportunity,” said Lander of playing next to a veteran like Phinisee. “He played on Indiana Elite, so I know him. I feel like we are similar in some ways, but we can also play really well together.”"

When the Hoosiers got the news that Trayce Jackson-Davis was returning it made them possible contenders in the conference but having Lander join the class could even increase their chances.

The Hoosiers were also listed as a seven seed in the latest bracketology, but with this news, they could start to creep up the board.

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While the Hoosiers still need to prove it on the court, this is shaping up to be a great team and best under Miller.

Will it translate to the Hoosiers making a run at the Big Ten championship? Time will tell, but the Hoosier fans have got to be getting excited.

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