Indiana is looking for a freshman center.
Indiana men’s basketball has extended a scholarship offer to Marcis Ponder, a 4-star center in the class of 2026, according to reporting from 247Sports’ Colby Giacubeno:
2026 @GillionAcad big man Marcis Ponder has received an offer from Indiana, per source. Dominant two weekends of @DMVHoopsLive for the 7-footer. pic.twitter.com/pBIqFgEzp9
— Colby Giacubeno (@ColbyGHoops) July 1, 2025
Ponder later retweeted this post, confirming the offer. He currently attends Gillilon Basketball Academy in Springfield, Virginia and has spent time with Overtime Elite, an adidas partner.
He holds scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgetown, Kansas, Illinois and Miami, among others. It’s worth noting that Ponder received the Georgetown offer when Kenny Johnson, now with Indiana, was on the Hoyas’ coaching staff.
Indiana has placed a emphasis on size when offering centers in 2026. The Hoosiers lack a 7-footer on the current roster and will likely start one of Reed Bailey or Sam Alexis at that spot this season. The Hoosiers have extended scholarship offers to three true 7-footers and two players who measure in at 6’11”.
Ponder isn’t just height though, weighing in at 328lbs, which is right around where Shaquille O’Neal was as an NBA player, as a reference.