IU basketball with ‘better than puncher’s chance’ for four-star center

One of the top IU basketball targets in the 2025 class could be nearing in on a decision and it’s a tight race at the moment.

For four-star center Eric Reibe, he is seemingly down to Kansas, Indiana, Creighton, UConn and Oregon. While he hasn’t officially ‘cut his list’ those are the only schools he’s visited or has visits set up with for the remainder of the month.

Reibe, who initially had his official visit to Indiana in October, moved up his trip to Bloomington which will now coincide with top-25 guard Braylon Mullins and four-star hybrid forward Trent Sisley on September 20.

Indiana has really ramped up its recruitment of Reibe — someone they offered over a year ago. After an up-and-down beginning to their communication, the last few months have shown how involved and interested IU basketball is with the four-star center.

However, a lot of the talk and buzz surrounding Reibe is with Kansas — a program he just visited a few weeks ago.

“The Jayhawks are selling Reibe on being a possible replacement to veteran big man Hunter Dickinson when he departs college basketball following the upcoming season,” Rivals college baseball national analyst Rob Cassidy wrote. “The pitch seems to have resonated thus far, placing the Jayhawks in the driver’s seat for the time being.

While Kansas may have the upper hand at the moment, it’s not a ‘lock’ he ends up playing for Bill Self. The two schools right behind the Jayhawks? IU basketball and UConn.

“Reibe visited UConn over the weekend, and it’s still too early to discern the returns on that trip. Meanwhile, the four-star forward moved his visit to Indiana up from Oct. 4 to Sept. 20. The sudden movement suggests Reibe intends to expedite his recruiting process, but the Huskies and Hoosiers still have better than puncher’s chance,” Cassidy added. “Both programs should be seen as running behind the Jayhawks, but both also possess sizable NIL war chests and coaches with a history of putting players in the NBA Draft’s first-round.”

Indiana hasn’t been shy about is recent uptick in NBA Draft selections under Mike Woodson — even emphasizing the development of its big men. Whether it’s Trayce Jackson-Davis or Kel’el Ware, there’s now a trend. Add in Oumar Ballo who has his sights on the NBA after transferring to Indiana this offseason, and the pitch for development is there from the IU staff.

Indiana will even be sending its full staff to see Reibe on Wednesday, another move to try to build even more momentum going into the end of the month when he’ll be visiting the Hoosiers.

Reibe is ranked No. 38 overall in the 247sports Composite Rankings and the No. 4 center.

While there is still some time left in the race, it appears Reibe is ready to shut things down. So, the next few weeks for Indiana will be critical and the ultimate deciding factor.

SEE ALSO: ‘You want a shot at it’: Mike Woodson facing high expectations head on with Indiana basketball — He also has his best roster yet to achieve them.