Prince-Alexander Moody Shows Why Indiana Made Him Priority No. 1
SPRINGFIELD, MA - When Prince-Alexander Moody took the floor at the Hoophall Classic, he wasn’t just representing Bishop McNamara High School - he was giving Indiana fans a glimpse of the future.
In a game packed with elite talent, including the nation’s top-ranked senior and the son of an NBA veteran, Moody didn’t just hold his own - he stood out. The 6-foot-4 Indiana commit was everywhere: disrupting passing lanes, pushing the tempo, and showing the kind of defensive instincts that Big Ten coaches lose sleep over.
One moment in particular summed up what makes Moody special. With JJ Crawford - son of NBA vet Jamal Crawford - racing down the court and Tyren Stokes, the No. 1 senior in the country, filling the lane, most defenders would’ve been caught flat-footed.
Not Moody. He read the play like a seasoned pro, backpedaled into position, leapt, and intercepted the would-be alley-oop.
Then, without hesitation, he rifled a three-quarter court pass to a teammate for a transition layup.
That’s the kind of two-way impact Indiana head coach Darian DeVries saw when he made Moody his first high school commit since taking over the program.
“He’s really just trying to do anything to win,” said Bishop McNamara coach Jay Gavin. “If we need him to score 25, he’s done that.
If we need him to guard their best player, he’s done that. He’s bought in.”
Bishop McNamara ultimately fell to Rainier Beach (Seattle, WA) in an overtime thriller, 91-85, but Moody’s stat line - 16 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals - told the story. He was the engine, the glue, and the tone-setter, all in one.
And while the box score was impressive, it was his defensive versatility that turned heads. Moody spent most of the night matched up with JJ Crawford and occasionally switched onto Tyren Stokes. He made life miserable for both, using quick feet, active hands, and a relentless motor to force turnovers and disrupt timing.
Ranked No. 181 nationally in the 247Sports composite and holding a three-star rating, Moody committed to Indiana back in June, choosing the Hoosiers over more than 20 programs, including Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan State.
He’s one of two current commits in IU’s 2026 class, joining 6-foot-7 wing Vaughn Karvala, who also played at the Hoophall Classic.
Moody’s commitment wasn’t just about basketball - it was about fit.
“As soon as I walked into the gym, even at the airport, it just felt right,” Moody said. “Great atmosphere.
Great people. I just love Indiana.
It’s amazing. It’s cold out there, but I can deal with it.”
Moody has already embraced the Hoosier identity, even keeping tabs on Indiana football.
“Of course! I watch them every game,” he said with a grin. “I’ve been talking big trash.”
Being DeVries’ first high school commit carries weight. Moody visited Bloomington just a week after being recruited - a sign of how serious both sides were. And he’s already thinking like a recruiter himself, hoping to build something special in Bloomington.
He’s got his eyes on a few names to join the class: Miikka Muurinen from Finland, and guard Jordan Smith. “That’s four,” he said. “Add one more and we’ll be fine.”
As for his current focus? Growth. Moody knows there’s another level to reach before he hits the Big Ten.
“I’m working on pace,” he said. “I need to lower my turnovers.
I’ve been watching a lot of film - trying to make the simple pass, not the homerun pass. I’m getting double-teamed and face-guarded a lot now.
The past few games I haven’t even been shooting much because there’s so much attention on me.”
That self-awareness - and willingness to adapt - is what separates good players from great ones. And it didn’t go unnoticed. After the game, Jamal Crawford, now an assistant at Rainier Beach, walked over and gave Moody a pat on the back.
“He plays the game the right way,” Crawford said.
That’s high praise from someone who knows what it takes to make it.
And for Indiana fans wondering what the future holds, Prince-Alexander Moody just gave them a pretty exciting preview.