The reputation of Indiana as a premier recruiting hotbed was further solidified last year as a wave of the state’s most elite high school athletes finalized their collegiate destinations.
For the Class of 2026, the decisions range from staying within the friendly confines of the Hoosier State to venturing into the powerhouse conferences of the Deep South. From Olympic swimmers to future SEC basketball stars, Indiana’s best have already made headlines.
Lampley Joins the SEC Powerhouse
In a major recruiting splash, Lawrence Central High School standout Lola Lampley has officially cast her lot with Louisiana State University (LSU).
The 6-foot-2 forward, widely regarded as one of the nation’s most versatile players, signed her letter of intent with head coach Kim Mulkey’s Tigers in November.
Lampley, a consensus top-20 national recruit, chose LSU over a host of suitors, drawn by the program’s championship pedigree and high-octane style of play.
“There is an opportunity to learn from legends,” Lampley said regarding LSU women’s basketball coaches Kim Mulkey and Seimone Augustus. “And also play for a competitive program that can compete for a national championship. They’re going to get me to where I need to be.”
Her decision adds another chapter to the Lampley family’s impressive athletic legacy, as she prepares to bring her dynamic scoring and defensive length to Baton Rouge.
Mulkey, a Hall of Fame coach, was effusive in her praise of the Indiana native.
“Lola’s size and scoring ability make her a tough matchup on both ends of the floor,” Mulkey said. “Her versatility and length allow her to impact the game in so many ways, from creating shots to defending multiple positions. She also comes from a strong, athletic family. That athletic foundation shows every time she steps on the court.”
The Olympian stays home
While Lampley looks south, another of the state’s crown jewels has decided there is no place like home. Carmel High School swimming phenom Alex Shackell, fresh off her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reaffirmed her commitment to Indiana University.
Shackell, who initially pledged to the University of California at Berkeley, flipped her commitment to the Hoosiers earlier this year. She plans to join the program in the spring of 2026, operating on a hybrid schedule that allows her to continue training with her longtime club coach, Chris Plumb, at the Carmel Swim Club.
Her addition is a massive coup for Indiana head coach Ray Looze, securing a world-class butterfly specialist who is already a household name in the swimming community.
Hoops culture: Ertel and Sanderson
Indiana’s basketball tradition remains undefeated, with two premier guards locking in their futures early.
Luke Ertel, the gritty floor general from Mt. Vernon (Fortville), wasted no time pledging to Purdue University. Ertel committed to Matt Painter’s Boilermakers before his junior season, citing a desire to join a program known for developing elite guards.
Further north, La Lumiere School’s Jonathan Sanderson also decided to stay in-state, committing to the University of Notre Dame. The sharpshooting guard was a priority target for head coach Micah Shrewsberry, who values Sanderson’s high basketball IQ and perimeter scoring threat.
Gridiron and diamond talents
On the football field, Decatur Central quarterback Bo Polston, one of the most prolific passers in Indiana high school history, heads to the University of Connecticut (UConn).
The baseball diamond has also proven fruitful for in-state programs. Crown Point pitcher Logan Johnston and Noblesville shortstop Aiden Reynolds have both verbally committed to Indiana University.
As the Class of 2026 finalizes their decisions, one thing is clear: Indiana still produces top-tier talent.
Contact Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or at noralp@indyrecorder.com. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
