(Photo Credit: IndianaHQ)

Five-star point guard Khristian Lander has emerged as one of the most important recruits for Indiana in the upcoming in-state pipeline. On the first day that the recruiting dead period ended, Archie Miller went to see Khristian Lander and Lander’s trainer in Evansville, Indiana.

Currently, the 6’1″ sophomore guard is ranked as the top in-state recruit in the 2021 class and is ranked 18th nationally according to 247Sports composite ranking. He is also considered the top point guard in the 2021 class.

The point guard has been recognized for his ability to finish around the rim and his general speed and agility. Both have been main focal points for his training. Indiana Elite coach Cardell McFarland has been one of the main trainers for Khristian Lander and he has built a great relationship with Archie Miller.

Indiana head coach Archie Miller will be in today to visit 2021 Reitz guard Khristian Lander. — Pat Hickey (@patmhickey) April 11, 2019

“What is a mistake without a lesson see, the best teacher in life is your own experiences.None of us know who are until we fail, they say every man is defined by his reaction to any given situation. A lot of people fold, but I cope”@khristianlander

The Marathon Continues 🏁💙🏁 pic.twitter.com/fhK2xkW7K6 — CoachMcFarland (@CardellMcF) April 13, 2019

Greatly appreciate Indiana men’s head basketball coach Archie Miller coming by the lab today. Rich forever conversation dissect,learn, process ‼️..#IEFAMiLY #GOHOOSiERS❤️🖤❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/aHSWzD97fJ — CoachMcFarland (@CardellMcF) April 12, 2019



Though Lander’s Evansville Reitz team saw their season come to a conclusion after a loss in the IHSAA Sectional Finals against Jasper High School, Khristian Lander will continue to participate with the Indiana Elite 2020 team that has games this weekend in Indianapolis in the Adidas Boys Jr. Gauntlet event. His teammates include fellow Indiana interests Anthony Leal, Trey Galloway, and Mabor Majak.

(Correction to the above information regarding Reitz’s final game thanks to Cole Claybourn)

Khristian Lander with the pull up bucket. @indyhsscores pic.twitter.com/XErSG0j3J4 — Ryan Gregory (@Ryan_Gregory_) April 13, 2019

Khristian Lander (F.J. Reitz) floats past the defense for the bucket for Indiana Elite 2020. @indyhsscores pic.twitter.com/KmUdmoiqx6 — Ryan Gregory (@Ryan_Gregory_) April 13, 2019

Khristian Lander holds offers from Indiana, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio State, and Kansas State. He has also visited Louisville and Kentucky, but currently does not hold an offer from Chris Mack or John Calipari. The high-power point guard is expected to continue to reel in high major offers as he generates additional exposure for himself on the court.

While the recruitment is early, Lander has already made a number of visits to Indiana. Notably he visited Indiana during the 2018 Hoosier Hysteria and he visited Bloomington for senior night this past month. In fact, he has been one of the consistent visitors for Indiana and continues to be a main focus for Archie Miller and the staff. As a college point guard himself, it will be interesting to see what Archie Miller uses as his recruiting pitch.

Class of 2021 Khristian Lander spotted also. Projected five-star PG from Evansville. The staff must have gotten a hold of a cloning device. #iubb pic.twitter.com/Y0GXxVdeAx — IndianaHQ (@IndianaHQ) September 29, 2018

Among those that attended this afternoon’s game (and also stayed for all of the senior speeches):



2019 IU signee Armaan Franklin

2019 IU mother @indii5000

2021 IU target Khristian Lander#iubb pic.twitter.com/ILGtdcEt0u — IndianaHQ (@IndianaHQ) March 10, 2019

Indiana has not had a five-star point guard on the roster since the departure of McDonald’s All American Yogi Ferrell. Ferrell played his four years under coach Tom Crean and currently plays on the NBA roster for the Sacramento Kings, where he has played in 71 games this season at an average of 15 minutes per game.

On the current roster, true point guard Robert Phinisee has been a tremendous addition for the Hoosiers. The freshman in-state guard filled a much needed gap after the departure of Robert Johnson and Josh Newkirk from the Indiana roster after Archie Miller’s first season.

The dead period ended on April 11th at noon according to the NCAA calendar. The Archie Miller and Indiana staff have between Thursday through the end of the weekend before the dead period starts again for four days given the new 2018-2019 NCAA recruiting calendar.

NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Recruiting Calendar for 2018-2019

Khristian Lander Highlights and Game Tape