The Daily Hoosier interviewed 2025 five-star guard Jalen Haralson over the weekend about his game and recruiting updates.
This spring, Haralson is averaging 20.2 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Indy Heat on the Nike EYBL circuit. He ranks 10th in points overall on the circuit.
Here's the full Q&A with the 6-foot-6 Indiana player who ranks in the top 20 in the nation.
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TDH – When you made the decision to join La Lumière, why did you make that choice? Also, how do you think your junior season went?
Haralson – I made the decision to help them develop better players. I felt it was the best decision for the personal development of my game, and I think it was a good choice. I'm getting stronger, more efficient and really just learning how to play basketball. Obviously you can't win high school basketball in Indiana, but I think it was the best decision because I'm trying to get to the NBA.
(Note: La Lumiere is a national prep school located in La Porte, Indiana. Haralson attended Fishers HS in Fishers, Indiana for his first two years of high school)
TDH – How difficult was it for you personally to leave home at such a young age?
Haralson – Yeah, it was really tough. I did it at the end of summer. It took me three or four months to make a decision. A lot of people around me, family and friends helped me, but like I said, I feel it was the best decision for me and I don't regret anything.
(Note: Haralson had just turned 16 when he started considering transferring to a prep school.)
TDH – What are you still working on or trying to improve on this spring and summer?
Haralson – All areas of my game. Just keep developing until all of my games are elite. I feel like I was able to grow as a streamer. But I kept getting more reps and kept getting to my spot. My physical strength has increased and I am able to reach a certain position. So it's actually becoming more efficient and more dominant.
(Note: Haralson scored 37 points in the next game after this interview.)
TDH – With the Fishers, you played a lot of point guard duties, but now it seems like you play as a wing facilitator in addition to your primary ball handler duties. How is the university recruiting? What role does the school envision for you?
Haralson – They say position doesn’t matter most of the time. After all, I'm a complete basketball player and can play anything from one to he four. I think that's my strength. I really don't have a position. I'm versatile, I can pass, I can handle the ball, I can finish. They tell me, “My position is Jalen Haralson, come and be me.'' I don't stick to one position, I'm just a basketball player.
5⭐️ Jalen Haralson had 22 points and 8 rebs to lead the Indy Heat to a big win over Team Why Not 🔥 @NikeEYB I @JalenHaralson3 I @indyheatgymrats pic.twitter.com/rPqgHciMiY
— League Lady (@LeagueRDY) May 19, 2024
TDH – Have you had an official visit yet?
Haralson – Yeah, Auburn, that’s the only one right now. I hope to take some more in the next few months. It's just expanding. I have just reduced my list to nine schools, so my goal for the summer and fall is to go to the schools I haven't been able to go to yet as an officer.
(Note: Haralson's top nine schools are Auburn, Duke, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan State, Missouri, Notre Dame, and Purdue.)
TDH – Which schools are you currently talking to about setting up a visit in the near future?
Haralson – Missouri, hopes to go to Gonzaga, Duke and Kansas in the next few months. Some of them I haven't visited at all yet.
TDH – What is the situation in Indiana?
Haralson – I was the first player Coach Woodson offered in our class and they have been scouting me the longest. Maryland made me the first offer, but their coaching staff left, so IU was really my first offer and we're still talking. Of course, I have been there many times with my brother, so I know the program well. I would love to go there and talk more about my growth in their program.
TDH – You have been involved with the IU program for a long time, what stands out to you?
Haralson – The fan base is crazy. You can't beat that fan base. It's very passionate. I think that's what impressed me the most. And obviously Coach Woodson is an NBA coach and that's where I want to be. He connected me with Jalen Hood-Schiffino, and he and I talked a few weeks ago.
TDH – Do you see many similarities between your game and Hood-Schifino?
Haralson – Yeah, definitely. They're both big guards, they know how to get to their spots, and they're both pretty good defenders. He's an NBA guard and obviously was drafted by the Lakers, so that's really good for him.
TDH – You recently mentioned that you would like to complete your recruiting efforts by the end of the summer. Is that something you're still thinking about?
Haralson – Probably something like early fall. I would love to visit as many times as possible, but I feel like I don't have much time to make many visits to USA Basketball during the summer and dead period. However, I would like to make a decision by my senior season. I want to play as hard as I can throughout the season.
TDH – What do you mainly see when you go on these visits?
Haralson – Three things: playing style, relationship with the coach and I want to win. That is the most important thing and I want to win. I feel like the nine schools I belong to have all of those things. Therefore, I feel that we are in a very favorable position in terms of recruitment.
TDH – Does how the college wants you to play on and off the ball influence your decision?
Haralson – Not too much, but like I said, I’m versatile, I can change, and I feel like the players can change the style of play (at school). Like Jaden Ivey went to Purdue and changed their style of play. So playing style he's probably the least important of the three, but I don't want to go where I can't get the ball. But men are winning. I want to win at university.
For complete information on IU Basketball recruiting, please visit here.
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