Indiana's 2026 recruiting class features plenty of talent that has already made a strong first impression in Bloomington. IU's incoming freshman group consisting of Prince-Alexander Moody, Vaughn Karvala, and Trevor Manhertz all put forth impressive showings during the FISU America Games in July, giving Hoosier basketball fans plenty to be excited about.
Looking ahead, Darian DeVries is hoping to keep Indiana's recruiting momentum going. When it comes to the 2027 class, the Hoosiers have just a single commit. That comes in the form of 6'4" guard Chase Branham, who is ranked as the No. 28 overall player and No. 5 shooting guard in the country according to the updated Rivals Industry Rankings.
Over the weekend, Branham put forth yet another eye-popping performance that continues to build the hype surrounding his looming collegiate career.
Indiana commit Chase Branham earns MVP honors at UA Next City Classic
Branham participated in the Under Armour Next City Classic in Baltimore this past weekend. The event brings together 21 of the top basketball prospects in the country spanning the Classes of 2027 through 2030. Playing against some of the biggest names in the nationa, Branham showed out.
Branham dropped 23 points while also collecting 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead his team to a 97-93 victory. For his efforts, the Indiana commit earned MVP honors.
Take a look at some of his highlights in the video below:
Indiana commit Chase Branham dropped 23 pts, 8 reb and 4 asts to lead Team Fox to a 97–93 win and earn UA NEXT City Classic MVP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GF2hhJNqGp
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) August 16, 2026
Earning MVP honors at any showcase is impressive, and doing it against some of the top players in the country is even more impressive. It also showcases Branham's strong summer, as he rose from the No. 42 overall prospect in the country in the spring to the No. 28 overall player in the country according to the latest Rivals rankings.
The hype continues to build for Chase Branham
Since committing to the Hoosiers on September 20, 2025, Branham has continued to impress. This past season, Branham helped lead Logan-Rogersville High School to a 4A state title in Missouri. He was at his best when it mattered most, as he scored 31 points in the semifinals before totaling 15 points in the championship game.
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On the season, Branham averaged 21.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game during his junior season. He also shot an impressive 62% from the floor and 41% from beyond the arc. His versatile skill set that features a strong ability to knock down shots from the outside makes for an ideal fit for DeVries' system. Heading into his senior season, Branham will be playing for a different school––one that is a lot closer to Bloomington.
In the spring, Branham announced that he will be transferring to La La Lumiere, which is a Catholic college-preparatory boarding and day school in northwest Indiana. The school is considered a powerhouse when it comes to developing basketball talent, as notable alumni in recent years include Jeremy Fears Jr, Jaden Ivey, and Jaren Jackson Jr, among others.
With his eye-popping performance over the weekend, Hoosier fans are eager to see how his development continues to progress over the next year before his collegiate season begins.
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