The tradition of Indiana basketball has long been mentioned by prospects as a significant factor in the recruiting process.

After a Saturday trip to Bloomington, it’s clear that tradition, which includes five national championships, made an impact with Bullitt East (Ky.) junior Derek Willis.

“Coach Crean, he said two things about the jerseys,” the 6-foot-9 forward told Inside the Hall on Sunday. “They’ll never change the candy striped pants. And they’ll always keep the names off the back of the jerseys. I thought that was pretty cool.”

Willis’ father Del, who accompanied him on the unofficial visit, said his son left Bloomington with a favorable impression of the program.

“I think he was really pleased,” the elder Willis said. “I think Indiana’s definitely high on his list. I know they’re definitely in his top five and if I had to say, they’re probably right up there as possibly the No. 1 on his list. He’s pretty high on them.”

Since re-opening his recruitment in early August, Willis has taken visits to Louisville, Kentucky and now Indiana. The Hoosier coaching staff has been down twice in the current contact period to watch him workout at his high school.

“Indiana’s probably come on the strongest,” Del Willis said. “Louisville’s probably right there with them. They’ve offered as well.”

Besides the tradition, the younger Willis cited both the campus and fan support as two things that stood out on the trip.

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Friday marks the beginning of a contact period for college coaches and just southeast of Louisville at Bullitt East, it could bring into focus the schools who will pursue former Purdue commitment Derek Willis.

The 6-foot-9, 210 pound forward re-opened the recruiting process in early August and according to his father, Del, he’s currently focused on preparing for his junior season of high school.

“He’s got a routine where he’s lifting weights, shooting ball every day,” Del Willis told Inside the Hall. “He’s trying to get focused and get ready for his season right now and just kind of see how the recruiting pans out as the season goes on.”

Willis, the No. 42 player nationally in the 2013 class according to ESPN.com, has already taken unofficial visits to Louisville and Kentucky in the last month

He’s also hearing from Indiana, but has not yet landed a scholarship offer from any school.

“Right now, Derek doesn’t have any offers from anybody,” his father said. “Of course the offer from Purdue was taken off the table. And that was the only offer he had. In our eyes, it was kind of a gamble for him to back off his commitment like that.”

Indiana, which already has a pair of commitments in the 2013 class, is expected to make a strong push for Willis in the coming months. The Hoosiers were in contact as recently as a week and a half ago.

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