Summer Recap – Program Profile: Indy Heat Red
In this article:
When trying to figure out how to best recap the summer basketball scene there was, at first, some paralysis by analysis. With so many great programs featuring talented prospects it is quite the daunting task to try and give everyone…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhen trying to figure out how to best recap the summer basketball scene there was, at first, some paralysis by analysis. With so many great programs featuring talented prospects it is quite the daunting task to try and give everyone the coverage they deserve. Especially with teams spread out across different circuits it can be hard to find a natural way to efficiently break down everything. I’ve decided that the easiest way to do this, and provided the most individual coverage, will be to simply go team-by-team across the state. This exercise will run through the end of August so be patient as we work through all of the teams. With a rankings update coming at the beginning of the month we will have a lot of other content being pushed out as well.
In these program spotlights we will feature a top prospect, a top stock-riser, and an under-the-radar name. Then, I will simply empty out the notebook with some other thoughts and takeaways that have been compiled over the last few months as it pertains to that team. Let’s dive on in.
Top Prospect: Ajani Washington Ajani Washington 6'2" | SG New Haven | 2024 State IN (Concordia Lutheran 2024/Indy Heat Red 2024)
Washington is as pure of a scorer as they come. He has a tight handle which helps him create his own shot, a feathery stroke from any spot on the floor, and good finishing ability around the rim. The 6’2″ long, lean guard averaged 14.3 points per game as a freshman and 18.8 last season as a sophomore while also dishing out 4 assists per game for his career. Playing with Indy Heat Red this summer he showcased a lot of those same playmaking abilities against some top level competition. Has garnered a good amount of low to mid-major interest. Definitely can see him playing at that level; he’s a Top 8 prospect in the 2024 class for sure.
Top Stock-Riser: Aidan Franks Aidan Franks 6'2" | SG Wapahani | 2023 State IN (Wapahani H.S. 2023/Indy Heat Red 2023)
With a very strong finish to the summer Franks started to really turn some heads among college programs. The 6’3″ guard holds offers currently from Trine and Wabash with a lot of interest among other DIII and NAIA schools. Franks is primarily known as an excellent three-pointer shooter, but of late he has really shown the expansion of his game. He has a very good intermediate finishing game with floaters or little pull-ups and has also flashed his athleticism when finishing at the rim. Franks is very athletic, something people may not have given him credit for in the past. Just an overall highly skilled guard.
Under-the-Radar Name: Preston Ross Preston Ross 6'8" | PF Bishop Dwenger | 2023 State IN (Bishop Dwenger 2023/Indy Heat Red 2023)
College coaches are always looking for size and Ross has plenty of it. At a legit 6’8″ he brings the length needed to protect the rim defensively, rebound his area, and finish on the block as well. Ross has back to the basket ability in the post and has proven to be good as the roll man in ballscreen situations. He has continued to get stronger which has helped on both ends of the floor and on the glass. Really like his upside when projecting to the next level.
Other Program Notes
- Joe Smith Joe Smith 5'10" | PG Penn | 2023 State IN (Penn H.S. 2023/Indy Heat Red 2023) joined up with the program during the summer and really made the most of his opportunity. The 5’11” guard is an excellent outside shooter, handles the ball well, and can be disruptive as an on-ball defender. Definitely one for small college programs to check out. He’s tough!
- I was really impressed with the play of 5’9″ point guard Taray Howell Taray Howell 5'8" | PG Evansville Bosse | 2024 State IN (Evansville Bosse H.S. 2024/Indy Heat Red 2024) throughout the summer. He is super shifty in the backcourt and one of the best all-around playmakers in Indiana’s Class of 2024. Very good scorer in the backcourt that can create for himself while still being a distributor for his teammates.
- Backcourt tandem of Jaiyre Sampson Jaiyre Sampson 5'10" | PG Fort Wayne Carroll | 2025 State IN (Fort Wayne Carroll H.S. 2025/Indy Heat Red 2025) and Khalyn Williams-Thomas Khalyn Williams-Thomas 5'11" | PG Fort Wayne Wayne | 2025 State IN (Concordia Lutheran 2025/Indy Heat Red 2025) are really fun to watch. Both are outstanding playmakers off of the dribble with the ability to score from all three levels. Excellent potential in both of these prospects that should make a big splash this coming high school season.
- 6’4″ guard Cannen Houser Cannen Houser 6'5" | SG Fort Wayne Carroll | 2024 State IN (Fort Wayne Carroll H.S. 2024/Indy Heat Red 2024) is one of the better long-term prospects in the program. He is an outstanding three-pointer shooter, has a quick first step when attacking closeouts, and possesses the size to score at the end of his drives. Love his combination of length and shooting ability. Very quick release.
- Also in the rising junior class, Jackson McGee Jackson McGee 6'3" | PG Leo | 2024 State IN (Leo H.S. 2024/Indy Heat Red 2024) and Jordan Lomax Jordan Lomax 6'3" | SG Brownsburg | 2024 State IN (Avon H.S. 2024/Indy Heat Red 2024) had productive summer. McGee is a 6’2″ guard that can play either spot in the backcourt. Very versatile offensive game with great strength and rebounding ability from the perimeter. As for Lomax, he is long and very athletic with some explosiveness on the way to the rim. Can score it from anywhere on the floor. A lot of upside for these two guards who could have breakout junior seasons.
- A pair of big men play alongside Ross, who was mentioned earlier, also deserve mention before wrapping up this program. Grant Leeper Grant Leeper 6'7" | C Homestead | 2023 State IN (Homestead H.S. 2023/Indy Heat Red 2023) and Josh Furst Josh Furst 6'6" | C Blackhawk Christian | 2023 State IN (Blackhawk Christian 2023/Indy Heat Red 2023) are two more forwards that college programs need to be aware of. Leeper is a physical, athletic 6’7″ forward that rebounds very well, defends his position, and can finish on the roll. Furst is very skilled as a post scorer, moves well, and rebounds on both ends of the floor.