New Palestine's Ian Stephens to Join Indiana Basketball as a Walk-On

Ian Stephens, a 6-foot-6 forward from New Palestine High School, announced Wednesday that he's joining Indiana as a walk-on for the 2023-24 season.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ian Stephens will join the Indiana basketball program as a walk-on for the 2023-24 season.

Stephens is a 6-foot-6 forward from New Palestine High School outside of Indianapolis. He helped the Dragons set a single-season wins record with 23, including a Muncie Central Sectional championship victory. 

"I want to first thank my parents and my brothers for everything they have done for me and all the support they have given me," Stephens said on Twitter Wednesday morning. "A huge thank you to the New Pal Community, forever in debt to all the people who helped and cared for me and my family along the way. This community has shaped me into the person I am today and I cannot be more grateful. Would also like to thank Coach Whitaker and the great staff at New Pal for getting me to this point. Would not have wanted to do this anywhere else. Thank you to everyone from teachers to administrators to neighbors to teammates to coaches to friends. With that being said, I have decided to accept a walk on position at Indiana University. Thank you to Jordan Hulls and the rest of the IU staff for giving me this opportunity!"

Stephens averaged 15.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocked shots with five double-doubles as a senior, earning Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Large School All-State, Associated Press Honorable Mention All-State, All-Hoosier Heritage Conference and All-Hancock County First Team honors.

"Ian is a kid that can have a huge impact on a game without the ball in his hands." New Palestine coach Trent Whitaker said. "He is a team-first guy and makes his teammates better."

New Palestine High School's Ian Stephens (5) works past a Lawrence North High School defender, at NPHS, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, during a game won by LNHS, 59-58 :: Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Two of Indiana's walk-ons from the 2022-23 season, Michael Shipp and Nathan Childress, went through Senior Night in March, opening a spot for Stephens. Childress will use his final year of eligibility to play at Indiana Wesleyan.

Indiana team and recruiting coordinator Jordan Hulls played an integral role in Stephens joining the Hoosiers. Stephens previously played for Hulls' AAU team, JH1 Elite, and Steve Heath of the Greenfield Daily Reporter talked with Stephens about his decision.

“Because I played [for his AAU team], he was like, ‘We have a spot and I’ve watched your games before,’" Stephens told the Greenfield Daily Reporter. "[IU head coach] Mike Woodson had a knee replacement, so it’s taken awhile, because [Woodson] has been out of his office, before getting the final word.”

Heath reported that Stephens had a scholarship offer from NAIA program Indiana Tech, where his former New Palestine teammate Steele Brasfield plays. But ultimately, he wanted to be a Hoosier.

“The experience I am going to get playing for IU is something that you can’t trade and make up for with any amount of money,” Stephens said. “The history of that team and culture, I want to be a part of it. I’m excited for it.”

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