Indiana Basketball Recruiting Roundup: Where things stand with top transfer targets

The Indiana basketball program came into this offseason knowing it needed a big haul in the transfer portal to remake its roster for next season. Thus far, Mike Woodson and his staff have been extremely active.

Already, the Indiana basketball program has secured multiple in-home visits, zoom calls and now two on-campus visits.

Indiana has already landed one commitment in the transfer portal with Ball State 6-foot-9 forward Payton Sparks.

The Indiana basketball program has four open scholarships for the 2023-24 season. It is still awaiting a response on the medical hardship waiver for point guard Xavier Johnson.

Here is a look at the key transfer portal targets for Indiana and where things stand.

Kel’el Ware (7-0 center; Oregon)

One of the newer names for the Indiana basketball program is Oregon transfer Kel’el Ware. Ware is taking a visit to Indiana from April 6-7 and has emerged as a high-priority target.

Sources told HoosierIllustrated.com coming into the visit that Indiana was a team to watch. Since the visit began, sources have indicated that Indiana is in a good position.

Ware is an extremely athletic center with great length and size. Ware has a good ability to finish at the rim with his athleticism, but doesn’t have great touch and is still raw offensively. He has the ability to step out on the perimeter but hasn’t been consistent thus far.

His high motor and terrific rebounding and shot blocking ability is elite.

Chris Ledlum (6-6 forward; Harvard)

Ledlum is someone that Indiana has been connected to for quite some time. Indiana already had an in-home visit with the Harvard transfer and he is also on campus from April 6-7 as well.

Indiana is making a big push for Ledlum. At the moment, he has a visit to Tennessee set up after his Indiana visit.

Ledlum is a sturdy-built hybrid forward who won’t blow anyone away with his athleticism, but is terrific getting into the lane and using his length and strength around the rim. His off-ball skills are great and his IQ is terrific. He’s a fantastic cutter and slasher.

Dalton Knecht (6-6 wing; Northern Colorado)

Another newer name for Indiana is Dalton Knecht. Knecht had a zoom call with Indiana earlier this week and that was step one in the process. A visit would be the next step. At the moment, there is potential for that to happen.

Indiana needs shooting and needs high volume shot makers. Knecht has taken five 3s per game in 67 career games. He is a versatile offensive option who can create both off of the dribble and in standstill opportunities.

At the moment, Knecht looks to be the top option on the perimeter for Indiana.

Kadin Shedrick (6-11 center; Virginia)

Shedrick was a name that popped up immediately as someone who would be a strong Indiana basketball target. The Indiana staff had a zoom call a day after he entered the transfer portal. According to sources, Indiana is still in a good spot for Shedrick and an on-campus visit is being discussed. He is still in the process of narrowing down the schools that he is interested in and still in the zoom call phase.

Duke is a program emerging, however as a real threat in this recruitment.

Shedrick is a versatile forward who is looking to showcase that at his next location. He is a terrific rebounder and rim protector and has shown the versatility and athleticism to see an expanded offensive role.

Jalen Deloach (6-9 forward; VCU)

Deloach has emerged for Indiana as another front court target. Deloach told HoosierIllustrated.com that he will be visiting Indiana April 14, after the second dead period. Deloach named a top list of Indiana, VCU, Florida State, Miami, Penn State and San Diego State. The only visit set in stone is to Indiana. He is looking to visit all programs involved, however. At this time a decision at the end of the month is expected.

Deloach is the third on the front court priority list at the moment, behind Ware and Ledlum. He brings athleticism to the front line and is a very good defender and rebounder. He is still raw offensively and isn’t a major post presence on the offensive end.

Nick Timberlake (6-4 guard; Towson)

Timberlake was one of the first names to be connected to Indiana but things have become a bit cold over the last week. Timberlake had an in-home visit with Indiana quickly after the conversations started, but has taken a visit to UNC and is set to visit Kansas this weekend. He has set up another visit to UConn as well.

Sources have indicated that while Indiana is still a team involved, it is a step down and a lower tier than some of the other programs involved.

Timberlake is a knockdown shooter who can produce off of the dribble or catch. He has good athletic ability as well to attack the rim and either finish through contact or hit in the mid-range.

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