Indiana Basketball in the NBA: October and November Update
Indiana Basketball has a long history of developing players who get drafted to the NBA and thrive at the next level. Some of their best all-time NBA players include Isiah Thomas, Walt Bellamy, and George McGinnis.
The Indiana Hoosiers currently have seven active players on NBA rosters. Every month, we will update you on how former Hoosiers are doing in the Association. Here is our October and November update:
Eric Gordon
Phoenix Suns (2023-present)
Indiana Hoosiers (2007-2008)
Eric Gordon’s 16-year NBA career has been defined by consistency, and so far, this year has proved to be no different. The former Indiana Mr. Basketball signed a two-year, $6 million deal with Phoenix over the offseason and has been vital to the Sun’s impressive start to the 2023-24 campaign. With Beal and Durant dealing with injuries, Gordon started 13 games in October and November, averaging 16.7 points on exactly 50% shooting in these starts. His best game came against the Knicks on November 26th, as he scored 25 points and hit six threes in a thrilling 116-113 victory. Even when Phoenix is back to full strength, Gordon should still see substantial minutes off the bench and will be a crucial piece in the Sun’s push for a championship.
Eric Gordon October + November stats (17 games):
14.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, 46.8 FG%, 40.3% 3PT, 78.6% FT
Click here to see Eric Gordon’s current stats.
OG Anunoby
Toronto Raptors (2017-present)
Indiana Hoosiers (2015-2017)
Despite Toronto’s mediocre start to the season, OG Anunoby has once again proven that he is one of the premier defenders in the NBA. He continues to lock up some of the league’s best offensive players on a nightly basis and is making a case for another NBA All-Defensive team selection. On November 29th, he held Devin Booker to 8 points on 2-12 from the field in Toronto’s 112-105 win against Phoenix. Before this, Booker had been on a tear, averaging 28.9 points in his past seven games. OG Anunoby is also one of Toronto’s leading scorers, as he averaged 14.9 ppg in October and November with a season-high of 26. There have been trade talks regarding Anunoby around the league, as he doesn’t plan on signing a long-term contract extension with the Raptors this summer. This should be something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
OG Anunoby October + November stats (15 games):
14.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 47.5 FG%, 41.5% 3PT, 48.6% FT
Click here to see OG Anunoby’s current stats.
Thomas Bryant
Miami Heat (2023-present)
Indiana Hoosiers (2015-2017)
Thomas Bryant started the year with consistent bench minutes for the Heat, but his opportunities have dwindled as of late. Through Miami’s first six games, the 2023 NBA champion averaged 16 minutes with 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. After that, Bryant only appeared in seven of Miami’s 13 games to end the month of November, playing limited minutes. He started three games due to Bam Adebayo’s injuries and scored double digits in two of these. Through the first six weeks of the season, an unforeseen breakout or a teammate injury seems to be the only chance Bryant has to be firmly in Miami’s rotation.
Thomas Bryant October + November stats (13 games):
5.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.6 apg, 50.0 FG%, 0.0% 3PT, 80.0% FT
Click here to see Thomas Bryant’s current stats.
Cody Zeller
New Orleans Pelicans (2023-present)
Indiana Hoosiers (2011-2013)
Cody Zeller signed with New Orleans to serve as the backup center for Jonas Valančiūnas but has struggled to begin the 2023-24 season. The former All-American only averaged 1.7 points per game on an abysmal 32.1% from the field and 38.9% from the stripe in October and November. Zeller has received sporadic minutes off the bench, averaging only 9.5 per game and not seeing the floor in four games during these months despite being fully healthy. His best game came in a win against the Kings on November 20th, as he amassed 9 points and nine rebounds on 57% shooting. On November 30th, ESPN’s Andrew Lopez reported that the Pelicans will be without power forward Larry Nance Jr. for four to six weeks due to a reaggravated right rib fracture. This should free up some more minutes for Cody Zeller, but he must improve his efficiency to receive consistent playing time.
Cody Zeller October + November stats (15 games):
1.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 32.1 FG%, 0.0% 3PT, 38.9% FT
Click here to see Cody Zeller’s current stats.
Trayce Jackson-Davis (Rookie)
Golden State Warriors (2023-present)
Indiana Hoosiers (2019-2023)
Trayce Jackson-Davis has received very inconsistent minutes for the Warriors. The former All-American averaged 7.8 minutes per game, appearing in 13 of Golden State’s 19 contests in October and November. Jackson-Davis’ best game came in late October, amassing 13 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes. Since then, he has bounced back and forth from the G-league due in part to the Warrior’s disappointing start to the season. He has made the most of his time with the Santa Cruz Warriors, however, as he averaged 19.0 points and 8.7 rebounds in three games. Expect Jackson-Davis to get more reps for Santa Cruz and continue to receive sporadic playing time for Golden State in the foreseeable future.
Trayce Jackson-Davis October + November stats (13 games):
3.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.5 apg, 32.1 FG%, 0.0% 3PT, 38.9% FT
Click here to see Trayce Jackson-Davis’ current stats.
Jalen Hood-Schifino (Rookie)
Los Angeles Lakers (2023-present)
Indiana Hoosiers (2022-2023)
Jalen Hood-Schifino made his official NBA debut with the Lakers on November 27th. The 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year suffered a right patella contusion during the preseason, forcing him to the bench to begin the season. In just his second game on November 29th, the rookie played 11 minutes and accumulated 10 points on 3-4 shooting. The following game, however, he shot a poor 1-6 from the field in 19 minutes. Hood-Schifino could have inconsistent play to begin his first year, but expect him to be in the Lakers rotation now that he’s healthy.
Jalen Hood-Schifino October + November stats (3 games):
4.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 1.0 apg, 30.8 FG%, 14.3% 3PT, 50.0% FT
Click here to see Jalen Hood-Schifino’s current stats.
Victor Oladipo
Houston Rockets (2023-present)
Indiana Hoosiers (2010-2013)
Victor Oladipo has yet to appear in a game in the young NBA season. The former first-team All-American was traded twice in the offseason, going from Miami to OKC over the summer and then to Houston just before the season began. Oladipo is still recovering from a patellar tendon tear in his left knee this past April, and it is believed that he will miss most of the 2023-24 season, according to Yahoo Sports’ Senior NBA reporter, Jake Fischer. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that “Houston will look to continue upgrading its roster with the tradeable contracts of Victor Oladipo, Jock Landale, Jeff Green, and future draft pick(s) compensation.” As the February trade deadline approaches, there is a real chance that Oladipo will be traded for the third time in less than a year.
Victor Oladipo October + November stats (0 games):
N/A