2026 Indiana Mr. Basketball finalists: The five seniors up for state's top award

The 2026 IndyStar Mr. Basketball race is down to five candidates.

The Mr. Basketball winner will be announced later this week at IndyStar.com. Mr. Basketball, presented by the Indiana Pacers, is awarded to the senior who receives the most votes from the state’s high school coaches and media.

Here is a look at the 2026 Mr. Basketball finalists (in alphabetical order):

Mt. Vernon Marauders Luke Ertel (12) makes a layup on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball regional matchup between Pike and Mt. Vernon at Southport High School in Indianapolis, Ind.

Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon

The 6-3 Purdue-bound point guard finished his career on top with a Class 4A state championship as a senior. Ertel averaged 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game in a 28-3 season. He shot 40% from the 3-point line as a senior. Ertel finished his career with 1,756 points. He also helped the Marauders to a 4A regional title as a junior, averaging 22.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Lawrence North Wildcats forward Brennan Miller (3) celebrates a 3-pointer Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, during the Marion County Tournament championship at Southport High School in Indianapolis. The Lawrence North Wildcats defeated the Pike Red Devils in overtime 58-55.

Brennan Miller, Lawrence North

The 6-7 forward, a Southern Illinois-Edwardsville recruit, averaged 16.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals as a senior for a Lawrence North team that went 19-6. Miller shot 53% from the field and 79% from the free-throw line. As a junior, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals for a team that went 22-7 and reached the final game of the semistate.

Northridge's Brady Scholl, right, drives to the basket during an IHSAA boys basketball semi-state championship game between Northridge and Crown Point at North Side Gymnasium on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Elkhart.

Brady Scholl, Northridge

The 6-7 Scholl averaged 24.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.0 blocked shots and shot 59% from the field for a Northridge team that went 26-2 and won the program’s first regional championship. Scholl, an Indiana Wesleyan commit, averaged 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds in a 21-4 season as a junior.

Crown Point Bulldogs Dikembe Shaw (23) brings the ball into play as the Crown Point Bulldogs battled the Mt. Vernon Marauders in the Henry Community Health Boys’ Hall of Fame Classic Championship Game, Dec 23, 2025; New Castle, IN, at New Castle Fieldhouse.

Dikembe Shaw, Crown Point

The 6-7 Illinois-Chicago recruit averaged 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a senior to lead Crown Point to a Class 4A state finals appearance and 25-2 record. Shaw eclipsed 1,000 career points during his senior season. Shaw averaged 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game as a junior for a 23-3 regional title team.

Plainfield Quakers Noah Smith (2) runs a play against Lawrence North Wildcats Chandon Gilbert (20) on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, during a game between the Plainfield Quakers and the Lawrence North Wildcats at Plainfield High School. The Plainfield Quakers defeated the Lawrence North Wildcats, 65-62.

Noah Smith, Plainfield

The 6-9 DePaul commit averaged 19.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a senior to lead the Quakers to a 22-3 season. Smith shot 62% from the field, including a career-best 42% (33-for-79) from the 3-point line. He finished his career with 1,292 career points, 632 rebounds and 123 assists. Smith averaged 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds as a junior.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Mr. Basketball finalists: State's top seniors up for 2026 award