2026 General Recruiting Thread (Bball)

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

It's never too early.

Earlier in the week, The Daily Hoosier listed 4 prospect names in the '26 class and today, Dushawn London talks about Caleb Holt.

• Brayden Fogle (Lexington, Ohio)
• Tyran Stokes (Pittsburg, California)
• Caleb Holt (New Market, Alabama)
• Alex Constanza (Miami, Florida)

https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/Basketball-recruiting-Auburn-Alabama-Ole-Miss-Georgia-Caleb-Holt-190163708/

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

Next Up Recruits:  2026 6’6” SF Jordan Bender and 6’9” F Sam Mbingazo of DeSales (KY) will have IU watch them this month.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

Jake Weingarten:  IU will watch Jayden Johnson of Trinity HS  in Louisville.  Plays AAU for Bradley Beal on the EYBL circuit

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

On 9/9/2022 at 4:18 PM, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Jake Weingarten:  IU will watch Jayden Johnson of Trinity HS  in Louisville.  Plays AAU for Bradley Beal on the EYBL circuit

Couple of stories on Johnson.  As an 8th grader last year he played on the varsity squad for Louisvill Male HS but transferred to Trinity for this school  year.  He started for Seventh Region champion Male High School and played in 33 games for the 28-6 Bulldogs, averaging 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds a game on the varsity level.

https://247sports.com/college/louisville/Article/Jayden-Johnson-Louisville-Trinity-mens-basketball-Cincinnati-Missouri-West-Virginia-offers-190165046/

https://phenomhoopreport.com/put-on-your-radar-2026-65-jayden-johnson-trinity-hs-ky/

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

E. J. Hazelett a 6'7" forward from Franklin Central HS will visit on Nov. 23.

Class of 2026, 6-foot-7, forward, Franklin Central (IN). Lefty.  From Peegs.com’s Trevor Andershock this fall:  “Franklin Central freshman EJ Hazelett turned heads among scouts.  The 2026 prospect is a 6’7” lefty that frequently ripped down rebounds before pushing the ball the length of the court.  In addition, Hazelett often changed direction with the dribble to get around defenders.  He is a playmaking forward that also knocked down a few mid-range shots off the bounce.”

[Demo 17,604]

 

[Demo 17,604]

That these kids are now significantly younger than my youngest is taking some getting used to.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

On 9/10/2022 at 6:27 PM, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Couple of stories on Johnson.  As an 8th grader last year he played on the varsity squad for Louisville Male HS but transferred to Trinity for this school  year.  He started for Seventh Region champion Male High School and played in 33 games for the 28-6 Bulldogs, averaging 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds a game on the varsity level.

https://247sports.com/college/louisville/Article/Jayden-Johnson-Louisville-Trinity-mens-basketball-Cincinnati-Missouri-West-Virginia-offers-190165046/

https://phenomhoopreport.com/put-on-your-radar-2026-65-jayden-johnson-trinity-hs-ky/

2026 prospect Jayden Johnson had a quality performance on Tuesday with 18 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. Also tells me that Arkansas and Indiana have been recruiting him hard recently, while Memphis has also shown interest in him.

[Gnet550 890]

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

Another IU mention from Tyran Stokes in this link.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/freshman-tyran-stokes-talks-recruitment-north-carolina-fandom

[Demo 17,604]

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/tyran-stokes-15-trying-to-live-up-to-hype-as-offers-roll-in
Another Stokes article. Says in this one he wants to take an IU visit.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

On 12/18/2022 at 12:41 PM, Demo said:

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/tyran-stokes-15-trying-to-live-up-to-hype-as-offers-roll-in
Another Stokes article. Says in this one he wants to take an IU visit.

No. 3 Prolific Prep (CA) F Tyran Stokes (@tyran_stokes): 22 PTS, 3 REB, 5 STL in a win over DME Academy

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

Tyran Stokes and Prolific Prep participated in the John Wall Invitational

In an 81-69 win over Combine Academy.   17p, 7r, 3a

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

Per ITH:  Indiana assistant coach Brian Walsh is watching Marcus Johnson (2026) today at Flyin’ the Hoop in Dayton, Ohio.

Johnson attends Garfield Heights HS in Cleveland.

https://www.cleveland.com/highschoolsports/2022/06/marcus-johnson-incoming-garfield-heights-freshman-could-be-areas-next-big-prospect.html

https://youth1.com/basketball/2026-marcus-johnson-continues-excel-against-older-competition

[Demo 17,604]

26 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Per ITH:  Indiana assistant coach Brian Walsh is watching Marcus Johnson (2026) today at Flyin’ the Hoop in Dayton, Ohio.

Johnson attends Garfield Heights HS in Cleveland.

https://www.cleveland.com/highschoolsports/2022/06/marcus-johnson-incoming-garfield-heights-freshman-could-be-areas-next-big-prospect.html

https://youth1.com/basketball/2026-marcus-johnson-continues-excel-against-older-competition

Watching that game right now. Really good game. Haven’t seen Walsh yet. Johnson’s terrific. Doesn’t look like a freshman in any way except for his shot, which is still a push. But he’s fluid, smooth, great vision, great demeanor, competes. Nothing not to like.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

28 minutes ago, Demo said:

Watching that game right now. Really good game. Haven’t seen Walsh yet. Johnson’s terrific. Doesn’t look like a freshman in any way except for his shot, which is still a push. But he’s fluid, smooth, great vision, great demeanor, competes. Nothing not to like.

Wasn't sure you'd see the post since I knew his game was already underway when I posted.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

From On3 - Flyin- To The Hoop

Huber Heights (OH) Wayne High 71, Garfield Heights (OH) 75

Lawrent Rice and Marcus Johnson bring crowd to feet

The individual matchup in play for this one was an interesting one. Huber Heights (OH) Wayne High is led by senior Murray State signee Lawrent Rice. Garfield Heights (OH) High is led by freshman Marcus Johnson.

What makes this matchup interesting is both are slender score-first guards who are left-handed. It is almost like if you fast-forward Johnson’s development over two years, he could be seen in the archetype of a Rice.

At this point, however, in this matchup, Rice was the better of the two. He has a smooth, confident feel of how to get to his spots. Although about 6-foot-1, he has long arms and soft touch with the confidence from all three levels. He finished with a 2023 Flyin’ to the Hoop event-high of 33.

Marcus Johnson showed an ability to make shots and generate offense; he will have to continue getting stronger. Left-handed and about 6-foot-1, like Rice, he has feel in how to get to his spots. However, the straw that stirred the drink was 6-foot-1 junior Calvin Little. Little is a strong-framed guard with solid length. He played tough, with an ability to handle, shoot, and pass.

Marcus Johnson – 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7-13 FG

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

We get a mention.

https://stockrisers.com/s/474/2026-prospect-jayden-johnsons-recruitment-is-already-taking-off

[Gnet550 890]

2 hours ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

We get a mention.

https://stockrisers.com/s/474/2026-prospect-jayden-johnsons-recruitment-is-already-taking-off

A mention but sounds like as Louisville or Kentucky get involved they will be hard to beat.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,299]

Tyran Stokes of Prolific Prep is a name we may hear more of in the future.