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Indiana Basketball: Best Hoosier big men since 2000

By Trevor Gersmehl

BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 26: The Indiana Hoosiers cheerleaders perform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Assembly Hall on January 26, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 26: The Indiana Hoosiers cheerleaders perform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Assembly Hall on January 26, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – FEBRUARY 13: Cody Zeller #40 of the Indiana Hoosiers postions himself for a rebound during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2013 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – FEBRUARY 13: Cody Zeller #40 of the Indiana Hoosiers postions himself for a rebound during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2013 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Indiana Basketball: Top 5 big mean since 2000

#2: Cody Zeller

The trophy recruit of the Tom Crean era, Cody Zeller was a phenomenal player in both of his seasons as a Hoosier. Zeller had career averages of 16.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on 59% shooting. He also had 14.1 win shares in just two seasons. Win shares are an estimate of how many wins a player adds to a team’s win totals. For perspective, Trayce Jackson-Davis had 5.3 win shares for the Hoosiers last season.

The Washington, Indiana native had a much bigger impact beyond the stat sheet. He was an integral part of Indiana’s 2012-2013 season, which is among the greatest in Indiana history despite the unfortunate ending.

Zeller was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats at number four overall and is still there today. Unfortunately, Zeller hasn’t found the type of success you’d expect from a top-five draft pick, but his impact on Indiana Basketball during his two seasons in Bloomington can not be denied. He will go down as one of the most talented big men in IU history who was just had too much NBA draft stock to pass up making the jump.

#1: D.J. White

D.J. White was an absolute animal during the mid-2000s. White played three real seasons from 2005-2008 after losing his sophomore season to injury. His stats during that time are astronomical.

White averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game during his time in Bloomington, including a senior season in which he averaged 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Those numbers are absolutely monstrous, but the analytic stats are even crazier. White added 18.5 win shares to Indiana in basically three seasons: an insane number. Had White not been robbed of his sophomore season, he’d be near the top of many Indiana statistical records.

Next. Indiana Basketball: Jerome Hunter’s path to the NBA. dark

In addition to his stats, White was awarded the title of Big Ten Player of the Year as a senior — the only player to earn the award on this list. It is this, along with his team’s success and statistical excellence, that earns him the spot on top of our list of best Hoosier big men in the last 20 years.

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