Our final 2009 class rankings are being revealed starting May 11. Releasing one team a day leading up to our #1 ranking and the signing day finale on May 20.
New man at the helm Tom Crean has to be anxious to put last season behind both his team and his self. This season things should start to change for the better. The 2009 class consists of 6 players, all of which should contribute on some level next season. This class like Oklahoma States is more of a quantity over quality class. Don't get me wrong there is talent here but not a top 25 player.
Christian Watford- Watford is wonderful. We saw this kid play at the 2009 derby classic where he posted 25 points. He completed 4 of his 5 and 1 attempts in the game. Watford has a great blend of size and athleticism that should give defenders trouble at the division 1 level. Showed a decent stroke as well. Watford is definitely more of a slasher as of now, but given time could develop into a star at IU. We absolutely love this kids passion and promise.High School: Shades Valley High School
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Position: SF
Height: 6'8
Weight: 220
Rivals.com Rank: #41, #6 SF
Scout.com Rank: #47, #12 SF
ESPN.com Rank: #34, #6 SF
Spin: This kid is somewhere in the middle of the 3 rankings, we like Rivals rank.
Maurice Creek- Creek and Watford should complement one another well. The 6'5 guard has showed nice touch from the outside as well as a strong ability to finish plays. At the 2009 Derby Classic we saw this kid post 17 points in impressive fashion. This kid is an ideal shooting guard for a high major program and will start from the seasons tip. Creek is smooth and strong can score inside out with the best guards in the class.High School: Hargrave Military Academy
Hometown: Temple Hills, MD
Position: SG
Height: 6'4
Weight: 190
Rivals.com Rank: #56, #14 SG
Scout.com Rank: #41, #10 SG
ESPN.com Rank: #71, #16 SG
Spin: This kid is somewhere in the middle of scout and rivals, we like scouts rank.
Derek Elston- This kid is rugged and tough. Seems to seek out contact at times. Would have been a great player in Bobby Knights system. Missed last summers aau play from an injury suffered in May. He actually committed early to former coach Kelvin Sampson, but wanted to attend Indiana to play for Crean. The son of former UNC player Darrell Elston, Derek has the talent and skills to play either forward position. A great addition to the roster, Elston will add size and depth.High School: Tipton High
Hometown: Tipton, IN
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6'8
Weight: 215
Rivals.com Rank: #103, #22 SF
Scout.com Rank: #120-125*, #24 PF
ESPN.com Rank: #37 PF, scouts grade 89
Spin: This kid will contribute, but how much? We like ESPN.
Bobby Capobianco- This kid is a biog bodied force that also loves contact. Can step out and shoot the ball up to about 15 feet. Has a tendency to shoot to many jumpers and get away from his true strength in the paint. Can defend well enough because of his always intense effort. Averaged 21.0 ppg and 11.0 rpg as a junior and 17.3 ppg as a senior.High School: Loveland High
Hometown: Loveland, OH
Position: PF
Height: 6'8
Weight: 230
Rivals.com Rank: NR-3 star
Scout.com Rank: #48 PF, 3 star
ESPN.com Rank: NR- #34 PF, scouts grade 89
Spin: This kid is tough, we like ESPN.
Jordan Hulls- Hulls is a solid guard with well rounded skills. We have seen this kid play multiple times, including the 2009 Derby Classic. Hulls looked a little out of his element in a game that went up and down so quick. However Hulls showed why he is the point guard of the future at IU. Hulls posted 9 points and 4 assists ( all to his future IU teammates). This kid is heady with a knack for making the right pass at the right time. At halftime of the game Hulls showed why the Hoosiers are so stoked to have him, when he won the 3 point shooting competition. We like this kids potential as a leader but don't see many 20 point games in his future.High School: Bloomington South High
Hometown: Bloomington, IN
Position: PG
Height: 6'1
Weight: 170
Rivals.com Rank: #107, #19 PG
Scout.com Rank: #50, #8 PG
ESPN.com Rank: NR- #34 PG, scouts grade 87
Spin: This kid should be solid, but look for Rivals rank to hold true.
Bawa Muniru- This kid is somewhat of an unknown commodity. We had the pleasure of seeing this young man play at last summers Kentucky Hoopfest. Muniru was playing for Team Vigilance out of Alabama. From the opening warm-ups it was clear that Muniru was an athletic freak, however this kid is very raw and unpolished. In the first half of the game Muniru was out of position on the defensive end almost every possession, resulting in only about 5 minutes played and a couple of fouls. In the second half the big fella calmed down and had a few monster dunks and blocks. He finished up with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. This kid is a project but with huge potential. A native of Ghana, who attended Mt. Zion Christian (Durham, N.C.) for a post-graduate season. Averaged 16.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg and 2.8 blocks where he was a senior All-State selection at Madison (Ala.) Academy the year before.High School: Mt. Zion (Prep)
Hometown: Madison, AL
Position: C
Height: 6'10
Weight: 245
Rivals.com Rank: #112, #16 C
Scout.com Rank: NR- 3 star
ESPN.com Rank: NR- scouts grade 93
Spin: This kid is raw we like Scouts rank.
