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Indiana basketball: 10 best NBA careers in Hoosiers history

By Josh Yourish

Jan 7, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo (4) dribbles the ball up court in front of forward Cody Zeller (40) and Penn State Nittany Lions forward Sasa Borovnjak (21) during the second half at the Bryce Jordan Center. Indiana defeated Penn State 74-51. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo (4) dribbles the ball up court in front of forward Cody Zeller (40) and Penn State Nittany Lions forward Sasa Borovnjak (21) during the second half at the Bryce Jordan Center. Indiana defeated Penn State 74-51. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana has long been a hotbed for basketball. Typically that’s been college basketball, but several Indiana Hoosiers have gone on to have very successful careers in the NBA. Indiana’s most famous coach, Bobby Knight helped to mold quite a few.

Bobby Knight was head coach at Indiana for 24 years, from 1971 until 2000. During that time his team’s won three national championships and had plenty of players win individual awards in the college ranks. He also produced some quality NBA talent.

Three former Hoosiers went on to become NBA Hall of Famers and there are a few modern-day players still making an impact on the league. In all, Indiana basketball has produced 26 first-round picks and twice the No. 1 overall pick has been a Hoosier. Kent Benson, the more recent of the two No. 1 overall picks was taken first in 1977, but did not make this list.

There have also been four different Hoosiers selected second overall, including the No. 1 player on this list. These are the top 10 NBA careers by Indiana Hoosiers starting at No. 10 with a current NBA player.

Mar 16, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (3) blocks a shot from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (3) blocks a shot from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10 best Indiana basketball NBA career: OG Anunoby

  • Drafted: 2017 No. 23 overall (first round)
  • NBA games played: 372
  • NBA PPG: 11.6
  • 2019 NBA Champion
  • 2022-23 All-Defensive Second Team

Anunoby stayed in college for two seasons and played 50 games for the Hoosiers. In his sophomore season, he averaged 11.1 points and his combination of length and athleticism was appealing to the NBA. He was drafted 23rd overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2017.

Anunoby did not play in the 2019 playoffs when the Raptors won the championship, but the next season was effectively Kawhi Leonard’s replacement on the wing. For three seasons, from 2020 to 2023, he averaged over 15 points a game.

Injuries have limited Anunoby, but the talent is undeniable and he’s been a highly sought-after player in the trade market, though he has stayed put in Toronto.

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