Five-star forward Bryson Tucker has committed to Indiana, he announced Thursday on social media. The No. 20 player in the 2024 recruiting class chose the Hoosiers over Michigan State and Kansas.
The 6-foot-7 prospect is the No. 1 player in Virginia and was leaning toward G-League Ignite, but with the program shutting down after this season, his best option was the collegiate route.
Tucker, a McDonald’s All-American, will be the 34th Hoosiers recruit to participate in this historic game.
NEWS: 5⭐️Bryson Tucker committed to Indiana
Tucker, a McDonalds All-American, is Indiana’s only recruit in 2024 @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/pHPOZniTLV
– Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) March 28, 2024
Reconnaissance report
Tucker has great size for a wing and is a polished offensive player. He is able to use his size to get past defenders from mid-range and is one of the best 12-17 foot shooters in the Class of 2024. This will be his calling card to start at the next level which should translate immediately .
Tucker is a fluid athlete who does a good job of taking angles to get around defenders and finish at the rim. It takes off quickly and changes direction well in traffic. As he develops, he will need to improve his outside jumper. Right now he has an average jumper from beyond the arc as his shot comes out flat at times the more he expands his range.
He has broad shoulders and should be able to put on weight easily in Bloomington this offseason. The addition of muscle will take his game to a new level and should help his outside jumper improve while finishing through contact in a physical league like the Big Ten.
Tucker made the 2021 FIBA Americas U16 team for Team USA and averaged 9.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game as Team USA went 6-0 to winning the U16 championship in Xalpaia, Mexico.
What’s next for Indiana
Losing Liam McNeeley will always be a tough pill to swallow for Hoosier fans, but the addition of Tucker should lift their spirits a bit. In the meantime, it’s transfer portal season and the Hoosiers have spots to fill with CJ Gunn, Kaleb Banks and Payton Sparks, who have decided to play next season elsewhere.
Mike Woodson and his staff contacted former Iowa guard Tony Perkins, who averaged 14 points per game, as well as Oklahoma’s Otega Oweh and Stetson’s Jalen Blackmon, the younger brother of former Hoosier guard James Blackmon Jr.
Other notable names Indiana is recruiting: Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian, Belmont forwards Cade Tyson and Malik Dia and George Mason wing Keyshawn Hall.
Required reading
(Photo: David Berding/Getty Images)