Indiana Basketball: Thomas Bryant shines, other Hoosiers stand out in NBA opening week

The first week of the NBA season passes and many former Indiana basketball players continue to make their mark in the league.

It was the first week back for all 30 teams in the NBA and for many former Indiana basketball players, it was another chance to prove their value to their respective teams.

While nearly every former Hoosier has either a different role than last season or are in a different situation, multiple guys stood out in the first couple of games.

Victor Oladipo and Romeo Langford were both out with injuries for each of their teams’ games in week one, and Troy Williams and Juwan Morgan are both starting the year off in the G-League.

Let’s take a look at how the six IU players played this past week in the NBA.

Thomas Bryant (Washington Wizards – 15.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists)

Probably one of two Hoosiers who will see a main difference in their role, Bryant got off to a terrific start last week.

Posting two straight double-doubles to start the season, his week was headlined by a 21-point and 11-rebound performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Wizards lone win on the week.

Despite going 1-2 on the week, Bryant shot nearly 48 percent from the field and added four made threes in the week.

Noah Vonleh (Minnesota TImberwolves – 5.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists)

It was Vonleh’s first week playing for the Timberwolves after signing a one-year deal with them in the offseason, and while he is still figuring out his role, it was a solid first week.

Going undefeated on the week, Vonleh played just 13.7 minutes per game but was effective when he saw the floor. While taking just nine shots, Vonleh missed only two, both three-pointers.

It will be some time before Vonleh gets comfortable in his role, and with Karl Anthony Towns ahead of him, a large quantity of minutes may be tough to come by.

Yogi Ferrell (Sacramento Kings – 4.0 points, 0.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists)

The Kings struggled to get any sort of rhythm last week and dropped all three games, with none being that close of a contest.

With De’Aaron, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Cory Joesph also in the backcourt, Ferrell has been the odd man out thus far, averaging just six minutes a game.

It’s just three games in, but it wouldn’t shock me to see one of these guards moved at the trade deadline.

Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets – 12.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists)

Another former Hoosier that will have to adjust to the free agency frenzy that saw Russell Westbrook traded to the Rockets this offseason, Gordon struggled to find his shot in the first week.

Shooting just 28 percent from the field in two games, Gordon also shot poorly from three, going 5-for-21.

Gordon will still see a large amount of minutes with the Rockets’ desire to play small ball, so he will shoot his way out of the small shooting slump he is in to start the year.

OG Anunoby (Toronto Raptors – 12.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 blocks)

Anunoby, who missed the entire postseason run last season, received his NBA Championship ring on NBA opening night and followed it up with a very solid first week.

As the starter, taking over for both Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, who left in the offseason, Anunoby showed he was capable of being a reliable offensive option, shooting 51.7 percent form the field.

One knock of Anunoby’s game was his inconsistencies from deep, but last week he made a three in every game and shot 41.7 percent from three overall.

Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets – 17.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists)

After missing a large portion of last season with a broken hand, Zeller was looking for a big bounce back and last week he showed it.

Despite not playing in game two, Zeller had two double-doubles in three games, including 11 total offensive rebounds.

Shooting 62.5 percent on the week, Zeller showcased his ability to be a nice secondary option on the offensive end.