In recent years, Indiana has been mentioned or involved at some level with junior college prospects, but never pulled the trigger. IU has never really turned up the heat on JC recruits, but it looks like they may do just that this year. The Hoosiers have their eye on multiple prospects and have been actively recruiting them over the past few weeks.

The College of Southern Idaho is one of the best junior college teams in the country and has plenty of depth on their roster. CSI is currently 21-0 and ranked #3 in the country at the NJCAA D1 level. IU is involved with and keeping tabs on several of their players along with other JC prospects around the country.

Here is a look at some of their potential targets:

Ray Kasongo – Kasongo is a 6’10 forward at the College of Southern Idaho, and was heavily recruited out of high school. The Canadian has had a solid year so far for one of the top JC teams in the country. While his numbers aren’t mind boggling, his combination of size, skill and mobility are impressive. Kasongo looks to have a very high ceiling and is an intriguing prospect because he will have three years to play at the next level. Kasongo has a good frame and runs the court well. He is currently averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds per game for CSI while shooting 60% from the field. He impacts the game on the defensive end as well and has a total of 37 blocks on the year, which is good for 27th in NJCAA D1.

Harouna Abdoulaye – Abdoulaye is a 6’5 combo guard at the College of Southern Idaho who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the court. He has struggled shooting the ball from the field this season, but brings a lot to the table. He can defend the 1, 2 or 3 spot and can also play all three positions on the offensive end. Abdoulaye is averaging 8.6 points and 2 rebounds per game this season. It is important to keep in mind the depth and amount of minutes that certain players play on high-level JC teams. Many of the better JC teams play 8-10 players who will move on to the D1 level, so the numbers are sometimes a bit lower than they would be if that player was playing 35 minutes per night at an average JC. While Abdoulaye does need to improve his shooting from the three-point line and from the field, he also has plenty of potential and will have three years to play if he can qualify academically this spring. If not, he will become a 2016 prospect and return to CSI next season. If that’s the case, his recruitment will continue to pick up dramatically.

Cullen Russo – Russo is a versatile 6’9 forward at New Mexico Junior College. The Minnesota native played last season at the College of Southern Idaho before transferring to New Mexico JC over the summer. Russo is at his best when facing up in the low and mid post and attacking off the dribble. He creates matchup problems for other forwards who have trouble keeping him in front. He is a major athlete who plays above the rim and is very good in the open court. Russo is averaging 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season on a deep NMJC team. He can defend a variety of positions and isn’t a liability if he gets switched off on a perimeter player. Russo will have two years to play at the D1 level.

Johnny Hamilton – Hamilton is a lengthy 7 foot center at Jacksonville College in Texas. He is a native of Trinidad and Tobago who has only been playing basketball since he was 16 years old. IU has been keeping an eye on Hamilton since the beginning of the JC season. Their staff watched him play as early as October, which is when the junior college jamborees take place (mass scrimmages). Hamilton is an intriguing prospect because of his size and length. He is also very mobile, which allows him to rotate over and block shots from the weak side. Hamilton is averaging 9 points, 9 rebounds and is in the top 10 in the country in blocks per game. Hamilton changes the game defensively and has good enough hands/skill to finish around the rim on the offensive end. He gives consistent effort and will continue to improve this season and throughout his time at the D1 level.

Check back soon for more updates and details on who IU decides to pursue.