Hoosiers Offer Scholarship To Hunter

Indiana has been in hot pursuit of many of the nation’s top guards. Top-30 point guard Marshall Strickland has already verbally committed, and top-10 shooting guard Bracey Wright has Indiana at the top of his list.

But many have been wondering about the frontcourt. Besides Bloomington North standout Sean May, IU’s emphasis has appeared to be in the backcourt. But some recent developments indicate Coach Mike Davis is looking to bolster the frontline with more than just Sean May.

Inside Indiana has learned that the Hoosiers have offered a scholarship to Gary, Ind., center Chris Hunter. The 6-11, 215-pound Hunter averaged 21.9 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for Gary Westside High School a year ago.

Hunter is the 98th-ranked junior in the nation according to School Sports’ post-summer rankings.

The Hoosiers have had Hunter on the radar screen for several months, but just recently offered him a scholarship. Hunter told Inside Indiana earlier this summer that the Hoosier program was one he’d be interested in looking at.

"I think (Indiana’s) a good program," Hunter said. "I think it’s a program on the rise, and I think it might be a good fit for a lot of players who might want to go there."

Hunter, who just recently turned 17, played alongside Sean May on the Bloomington Red AAU team this summer. He’s still growing, and has the potential to end up being a 7-foot-plus player when he gets to college.

Many recruiting experts dropped Hunter in their post-summer rankings, but few question the fact that with the addition of more weight, he has the potential to be a dominant collegiate player down the road.

"Remember, this is a (17)-year-old kid. He’s not an 18-year old kid. He’s 16, and won’t turn 17 until July. He’s a kid who developed a knowledge of the game early, and we’re working on honing his skills," Gary Westside Coach John Boyd said.

"He has such a soft touch for a big guy. He’s very fluid. He can run the floor like a gazelle. The kid runs the 400 yard dash in 49.8, so he’s a very quick kid, and he’s a very skilled player for this age."

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