Columbia City alum Brachen Hazen has landed at Ball State after a year with Arkansas. (Kyle Mallers with the intentional photobomb of Hazen)

Brachen Hazen originally committed to Central Florida in high school. He asked out of his Letter of Intent when UCF changed head coaches. He ended up at Arkansas after reopening his recruitment in the spring of 2016. Although Hazen played in 14 games for the Hogs, he only played 43 total minutes as a freshman. He told the News-Sentinel that it was the style of play that made him leave the SEC school.

Hazen played with the Spiece Indy Heat throughout high school. His teammate on the team was Kyle Mallers. Through that Hazen and Mallers developed a strong relationship. There were talks throughout the recruiting process that the two would be a package deal. Like most package deal talks, it didn't end up happening. The bundle has come to fruition after a season apart. 

Hazen is a forward that will bring some athleticism to the Ball State roster. He's a player with versatility as he can score in the paint with his vertical athleticism and can step out to the three-point line. Hazen's rebounding will be a major key. If he is able to rebound at a high level, it will make him an impact player for Ball State.

Brachen Hazen will sit out the 2017-2018 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He will have three years of eligibility after that.