Reitz's Khristian Lander 'most likely will reclassify' and join IU next season

EVANSVILLE - Khristian Lander, a five-star recruit from Reitz High School, announced on social media Thursday that he will "most likely reclassify" to the class of 2020 and join the Indiana Hoosiers' men's basketball team next season.

"Honestly it was the best-case scenario, to go to (college) early instead of a prep school," Keith Lander, Khristian's father, told the Courier & Press. "He had the opportunity to get his classes done and get a head start. At the end of the day, it was what he wanted to do anyway."

It would enable Khristian to start working with an IU nutritionist and strength coach ahead of schedule.

"It was something we had discussed and we figured out it was a possibility," Keith said.

Khristian, a 6-foot-2 junior, was averaging 21 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists for Reitz. The Panthers (17-7) were to play Greenwood (19-6) in the opener of the Class 4A Seymour Regional, scheduled for last Saturday. But the regional and rest of postseason was canceled by the IHSAA on Thursday afternoon.

Lander is fourth on Reitz's career scoring list with 1,314 points. He trails leader Jaelan Sanford, 1,544; Daimion Garrett, 1,442; and Cory Brunson, 1,408.

Reitz coach Michael Adams understands Lander's decision to go to IU early.

"I love coaching him and I love having him in the program," Adams said. "If that is what he thinks he needs to do for him and his family I fully support him. As I always joke, when Larry Bird graduated from Springs Valley, they didn't stop playing high school basketball. It had to go on."

Lander, who boasts a 3.8 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale, was able to add two extra classes, an English class and an economics class, which would allow him to graduate early. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, his father wasn't sure if Khristian would be able to graduate in May or June.

"At the latest it would be a June graduation," Keith said. "Honestly he has his eyes on a bigger prize. He can go to school and do what he planned to do at IU and hopefully go on to bigger and better things."

Keith said making the decision now is kind of a relief.

"It's a relief for him," Keith said. "He wants to move forward."

IU had posted a 20-12 record entering its Big Ten Tournament second-round game against Penn State on March 12 at Indianapolis, but it was canceled.

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