IU 2012 Recruiting Taking Shape

There was some relatively big news this weekend in the local recruiting world as Broad Ripple freshman standout Ron Patterson was offered a scholarship from both IU and Purdue. The Hoosiers and Boilers purportedly offered Patterson after big games this weekend against Howe and Westfield (17 and 14 points). Purdue also had him on campus for a big Sunday win over Wisconsin, and IU is expected to host Ron later this month. The trend of offering players early has really taken hold, as is seen by Tom Crean's efforts to pursue the state's loaded freshman class as early as possible, as well as looking to the rest of the nation for top talent. Besides Patterson, here are the class of 2012 standouts that IU has either offered or is close to offering.

D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera - DSR has gotten plenty of ink on P-Hoops as a freshman, and for good reason, starting a starring for North Central, the number two team in the state. The 6'3" guard also has reported an offer from Purdue. He is putting up close to 15 points, seven boards, and six assists a game. Here is a link to an IndyStar video of both Smith-Rivera and Patterson from their matchup earlier this year. It includes a nice bucket by DSR, and a great steal and transition dunk by Ron.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=videonetwork

AJ Hammons - Hammons is said to have an offer from the Hoosiers, but P-Hoops has not been able to confirm it for sure with the 6'10" freshman from Carmel. His size is obviously what attracts high-majors to him, but he is skilled on offense and defense and is deserving of the attention.

JP Tokoto - Tokoto is a forward from Menomonie Fall, WI, that Crean is reported to have offered. When the 2012 rankings come out for recruiting services, expect him to be a five-star kid.

Perry Ellis - Another national recruit, Ellis hails from Heights High School in Wichita, Kansas. He is a beastly forward that has garnered national attention, and is ranked #2 in the nation in Scout.com's preliminary 2012 rankings. Here is an attachment on his early recruitment.

http://www.kansas.com/266/story/656877.html

Raphael Davis - The guard from Ft. Wayne South Side is reportedly on the verge of an offer from IU. South Side is struggling as a team (1-6), but Davis, a springy 6'5" guard, is obviously playing well enough to garner such attention from Big 10 schools.

P-Hoops will be seeing Patterson coming up soon in the Indianapolis City Tournament, so look for comments on his play and an interview with the 2012 standout.