The race for Indiana's most prestigious high school basketball honor is heating up! The field for the 2026 IndyStar Mr. Basketball award, presented by the Indiana Pacers, has been narrowed to five standout seniors. The winner, determined by votes from the state's high school coaches and media, will be announced later this week. Let's meet the finalists who have dominated the hardwood this season.

First up is Luke Ertel, a 6-3 point guard bound for Purdue. Ertel capped a stellar career by leading his team to a Class 4A state championship, averaging an impressive 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. A sharpshooter who connected on 40% of his three-point attempts, he finished his high school journey with over 1,750 career points.

Next is Brennan Miller, a 6-7 forward headed to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. A consistent force for Lawrence North, Miller averaged a double-double with 16.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game as a senior, showcasing efficiency with 53% shooting from the field. His all-around game included 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per contest.

Then there's Brady Scholl, a 6-7 Indiana Wesleyan commit who put up monster numbers for Northridge. Scholl averaged 24.6 points and 11.6 rebounds while shooting 59% from the field, anchoring a team that went 26-2 and captured its first-ever regional championship. His presence in the paint was felt with an average of 3.0 blocked shots per game.

Dikembe Shaw, a 6-7 recruit for Illinois-Chicago, was the engine for Crown Point's run to the Class 4A state finals. Shaw averaged 17.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, surpassing 1,000 career points during a senior season where his team finished 25-2. His versatile playmaking was a key component of his team's success.

Rounding out the list is Noah Smith, a 6-9 big man committed to DePaul. Smith was a model of efficiency, averaging 19.2 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting a remarkable 62% from the field. He even expanded his range, hitting a career-best 42% from beyond the arc to help lead his team to a 22-3 record.

These five athletes represent the pinnacle of high school basketball in Indiana, each having left an indelible mark on their programs. As we await the final announcement, it's clear that the future of basketball is bright with talent like this on the rise.