2012 Spotlight on Hanner Perea

As noted often on P-Hoops, Indiana head coach Tom Crean is clearly putting an emphasis on building for the future. With the scholarship situation at IU somewhat murky for the next two seasons, Crean is making a big push at landing a top 2012 class. So far, IU has made scholarship offers to local Indiana kids D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and Ron Patterson, and national kids JP Tokoto, Antonio "Bobo" Drummond and Perry Ellis. Crean has also shown significant interest in Indiana kids like AJ Hammons, Austin Burgett, Raphael Davis, DeJuan Marrero, and Kellon Thomas. Another name that has popped up recently on the 2012 radar in one Hanner Perea of Central Park Christian High School in Alabama. There is some talk that Crean and his staff members will be visiting Perea this weekend to evaluate his play and see how he fits into the IU recruiting picture. I am awaiting a final confirmation from coaches on this, so I will edit as necessary when I find out definitively.



Perea is a prospect from Columbia brought to the United States by the Bloomington-based A-HOPE foundation run by Mark Adams, an Indiana Elite AAU guy. Adams' foundation has helped such players as current IU-player Tijan Jobe, former IU target Emmanuel Negedu find a high school and college home. A-HOPE also is currently sponsoring a few other IU prospects, including 2010 center David Nyarsuk and 2011 center Deng Leek. He is also part of the Indiana Elite AAU program, playing for Team Indiana alongside guys like Leek, Jeremiah Davis, and Dee Davis.



Perea went to middle school in Indiana before transferring to Central Park, where three other A-HOPEers currently play. He is a 6'8 power forward with a great motor and athleticism. He has room to improve offensively, so he has a ton of upside.



Check back later this week for developments into Perea's recruitment and if Crean does in fact visit Alabama this week.