Fresh off NBA title, OG Anunoby shares the mindset that changed everything

In a period when the Indiana basketball program has been down, Hoosier fans are fired up to see one of their own reach the NBA mountaintop. Former Hoosier OG Anunoby shined all throughout the postseason, and he played a vital role in helping the Knicks win their first NBA title sine 1973.

Anunoby's story from under-the-radar recruit to two-time NBA Champion is what sports are all about. He wasn't one of the most coveted prospects in his recruiting class, but he quickly emerged into a star during his time in Bloomington.

Fresh off New York's series-clinching 94-90 win in Game 5 on Saturday night, Anunoby shared a valuable mindset that helped him be the best player that he could be.

OG Anunoby shares emotional message about determination after NBA Finals win

Speaking with reporters on Saturday night in San Antonio, Anunoby shared his mindset about mental toughness and resiliency throughout his basketball career.

"You can do anything you put your mind to," said Anunoby. "Whenever someone tells you, you can't do something that's when you can. So just be resilient, be mentally tough, not listening to them and just believing in yourself."

Anunoby is the perfect example of an under-the-radar recruit who turned into a star. Coming out of high school, Anunoby was ranked as the No. 336 overall player in the 2015 recruiting class by 247Sports. The Jefferson City, MO native wasn't at the top of most Power 4 recruiting boards, but then-Indiana head coach Tom Crean saw the potential.

Anunoby chose to attend Indiana over offers from Georgia, Iowa, and Ole Miss, among others. He played just two seasons in Bloomington before heading to the NBA, and he got better and better as his career went on.

OG Anunoby secures rare place in Indiana Basketball history with NBA Finals title

After seeing limited playing time and averaging just 4.9 points and 13.7 minutes of action per game as a freshman in 2015-16, Anunoby emerged into a reliable contributor as a sophomore in 2016-17. He put up 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game over the first 16 contests of the season. Unfortunately, he then suffered a knee injury that would require season-ending surgery.

Despite coming off a significant injury, the Raptors selected Anunoby in the First Round with the 23rd overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. He helped the Raptors win their first-ever NBA title in 2019, and has now helped the Knicks win their first championship in 53 years.

In the Finals, Anunoby averaged 21.2 points per game and shot 50% from the floor. His best performances came in Games 3 and 4 when he scored 28 and 33 points respectively, and he delivered one of the most iconic moments in NBA Finals history with his last-second tip-in in Game 4.

In a world when the highest-ranked prospects and blue chip recruits garner most of the attention, Anunoby's story from under-recruited prospect to NBA Finals hero brings a smile to all Indiana fans out there.

There's no denying that his strong mental toughness and resiliency helped him reach the level that he is at today. It's a lesson that fans and athletes across the country can draw some motivation from.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow