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Indiana Basketball: The 10 Best Hoosiers to play in the NBA: 4-1

By Zach Breton

AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 8: Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas was honored at halftime as part of Detroit's 'Best of Seven' series at the Palace of Auburn Hills on February 8, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 8: Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas was honored at halftime as part of Detroit's 'Best of Seven' series at the Palace of Auburn Hills on February 8, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JAN 11: Walt Frazier of the New York Knicks shooting over Dick Van Arsdale of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden on January 11, 1976. The New York Knicks defeated the Phoenix Suns 99-98. (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JAN 11: Walt Frazier of the New York Knicks shooting over Dick Van Arsdale of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden on January 11, 1976. The New York Knicks defeated the Phoenix Suns 99-98. (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images) /

Indiana Basketball: Top 10 NBA players of all-time

#3: Walt Bellamy

Walter Bellamy was born and raised in the South so when it came time to decide where he wanted to play college ball, Bellamy was limited in his options as there were very few local schools that would accept a black player at the time. According to Bellamy, he met some Indiana players during his junior year in high school at a camp and they raved to him about the Hoosiers. It was also a good option as IU was actually one of the closest schools that accepted black players. Bellamy ended up picking Indiana and the rest, as they say, is history.

At Indiana, Bellamy was an absolute force to be reckoned with as he set the school record for rebounds with 1,087. He also holds the Indiana record for most rebounds in a season with 649. Bellamy scored over 20 points a game to go along with his prolific rebounding. In his last college appearance, he set IU and Big Ten records that still stand today as he put up 33 rebounds (with 28 points) in a win over Michigan.

Related Story. Best IU NBA players ever: 10-5. light

Bellamy had an incredible 14 year NBA career after being taken with the number one pick in the 1961 NBA draft. Bellamy immediately lived up to his billing as the one pick as he averaged 31 and 19 (!!!!!) to run away with the rookie of the year award. Bellamy never spent more than four years in one place during his career which unfortunately hindered his ability to compete for titles. A crazy record that he holds is that he played the most games in a single season in NBA history. Bellamy played 88 games during the 1968-69 season after being traded to the Detroit Pistons from the New York Knicks.

Walter Bellamy played 1,043 games in the NBA while making four all-star appearances. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1993. Bellamy was a member of the 1960 United States Olympic team that also featured Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry Lucas. They won the gold medal in Rome. Bellamy put up 20,941 points and 14,241 rebounds over his professional career. He has the 11th most rebounds in league history.

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