Top 10 Recruiting Classes in Indiana Hoosier Basketball History

Recruiting talk always dominates the summer, and for good reason. Talent is the lifeblood of college basketball. But at Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball, recruiting has never just been about rankings or hype—it’s been about fit, development, and results in Bloomington.

This list isn’t about who looked good on signing day. It’s about what those players actually became once they put on the cream and crimson.

And make no mistake—this is opinion-driven. But it’s rooted in impact, production, and legacy.

No. 10: The 2015 Class

Thomas Bryant, OG Anunoby, Juwan Morgan

Three players. Three NBA careers.

That alone makes this class unique.

Thomas Bryant was dominant early, setting an IU freshman field goal percentage record. OG Anunoby developed into an elite defender before an ACL injury cut short his sophomore season. Juwan Morgan became the heart of the program over four years, evolving into a complete forward.

This group powered Indiana to a Big Ten title in 2016 and a Sweet Sixteen run, including a win over Kentucky.

Not the most hyped class—but one that maximized everything it had.

No. 9: The 1971 Class

Steve Green, John Laskowski, Steve Ahlfeld, John Kamstra, John Hunter, Douglas Allen

This was the foundation class—the first group under Bob Knight.

They weren’t the most heralded recruits in the state, and that matters. Indiana missed out on several elite in-state players that year. But what Knight found instead were pieces that fit his system.

Steve Green became a scorer and led Indiana in 1974–75 before the Hoosiers’ near-perfect run ended in the Elite Eight. John Laskowski carved out a key role as the “Super Sub.”

This group didn’t win it all—but they laid the groundwork for what was coming.

No. 8: The 1991 Class

Alan Henderson, Brian Evans, Todd Lindeman

This class had staying power—and high-end talent.

Alan Henderson was the centerpiece, an elite forward who became a dominant rebounder and eventual NBA player. His ACL injury in 1993 is one of the biggest “what-ifs” in Indiana history, as that team was a legitimate national title contender.

Brian Evans developed into Big Ten Player of the Year in 1996, proving patience and development still mattered in Bloomington.

This group didn’t win a title—but it came close, and the talent was undeniable.

No. 7: The 1986 Class

Keith Smart, Dean Garrett, Tony Freeman, Dave Minor

This class wasn’t flashy—it was functional. And that’s exactly why it worked.

Bob Knight didn’t just recruit talent—he filled needs. Keith Smart brought athleticism and scoring punch to a veteran roster led by Steve Alford. Dean Garrett added size and rim protection alongside Daryl Thomas.

The result? A national championship in 1987, capped by Smart’s iconic game-winner.

Freeman and Minor didn’t stick around, but it doesn’t matter. This class delivered immediately—and banners don’t come with footnotes.

No. 6: The 1976 Class

Mike Woodson, Butch Carter, Glen Grunwald, Derek Holcomb, Mike Miday, Bill Cunningham

This class is a lesson in unpredictability.

Glen Grunwald arrived as the headliner but was limited by injury. Mike Woodson, meanwhile, exceeded expectations and became one of the greatest scorers in Indiana history, earning All-American honors and Big Ten Player of the Year.

Butch Carter added steady production and was a key contributor to winning teams.

Depth didn’t hold—several players left early—but the top-end talent carried this class into the top tier.

No. 5: The 1961 Class

Tom Van Arsdale, Dick Van Arsdale, Jon McGlocklin, Steve Redenbaugh, Al Harden, Ron Peyser

This group was loaded—but limited by the era.

Only one Big Ten team made the NCAA Tournament at the time, and that restriction cost this group its full legacy.

The Van Arsdale twins were All-Americans and went on to long NBA careers. Jon McGlocklin later became an NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks.

This class had pro-level talent across the board—it just never got the postseason stage to prove it.

No. 4: The 1978 Class

Randy Wittman, Ted Kitchel, Landon Turner, Steve Reish

Three starters on a national championship team.

That’s the headline.

Wittman and Kitchel both became All-Americans, while Turner was on track to be an NBA lottery pick before his tragic accident.

This group also captured the 1983 Big Ten title and helped define an era of Indiana basketball.

What holds them back? What could have been even more.

No. 3: The 1969 Class

George McGinnis, Steve Downing, John Ritter, Ed Daniels, Frank Wilson, Jerry Memering, Bootsie White, Kim Pemberton

This class had size, talent, and star power—but not the structure to maximize it.

George McGinnis averaged 30.0 points per game—a program record that still stands. Steve Downing developed into an All-American and led Indiana to a Final Four.

But coaching instability under Lou Watson and Jerry Oliver limited what this group could achieve collectively.

The talent was there. The system wasn’t.

No. 2: The 1989 Class

Calbert Cheaney, Lawrence Funderburke, Pat Graham, Greg Graham, Chris Reynolds, Chris Lawson, Todd Leary

On paper, this might be the best class Indiana ever signed.

Six Top-50 recruits. Future National Player of the Year in Calbert Cheaney. Multiple NBA players.

But it wasn’t perfect.

Funderburke transferred early. Injuries impacted others. And while the group had success—including a Final Four and Elite Eight runs—it never fully reached its ceiling.

Still, the sheer talent level keeps it near the top.

No. 1: The 1972 Class

Quinn Buckner, Scott May, Bobby Wilkerson, Tom Abernethy, Jim Crews, Trent Smock, Don Noort, Craig Morris, Mike Miller

This isn’t a debate.

This is the greatest recruiting class in Indiana history.

• Final Four (1973)
• Near-perfect season (1975)
• Undefeated National Championship (1976)

Buckner and May were All-Americans and Olympic gold medalists. Wilkerson and Abernethy became NBA players. The depth was elite.

This group didn’t just win—it defined Indiana basketball at its peak.

🔴 The Grueling Truth

Recruiting didn’t make Indiana great.

Development did. Fit did. Identity did.

The best classes weren’t always the most hyped—they were the ones that became something once they got to Bloomington.

That’s the lesson.

And it’s also the problem today.

Because until Indiana gets back to that formula, these classes won’t just be history—

They’ll be reminders of what the program used to be.