1 Active NBA Player Comparison for Each Indiana Men's Basketball Player

Gabe Cupps = Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

Payton Pritchard has requested a trade from the Celtics on multiple occasions, but the shamrocks rewarded his sticktoitiveness with a solid contract extension last summer and a steady backup point guard role throughout their 2023-2024 NBA championship campaign. The former Oregon Duck has a career 3.1 assist/turnover ratio, hits 3-point shots at an effective rate (career 39.5%), and is not afraid to get physical defensively and make his matchups uncomfortable.

While he held a consistent role as a freshman, some wondered if Gabe Cupps would enter the transfer portal following Indiana's super disappointing 2023-2024 season. Those worries were laid to rest when he committed to coming back, and the program is fortunate to retain his services as a reliable ball controller, effective outside shooter, and pesky point of attack defender. It will be intriguing to see how his role unfolds in the season to come.

Jakai Newton = Keon Ellis, Sacramento Kings

While we may not have seen Jakai Newton on the floor during his true freshman season, we have seen the rumblings of his impending resurgence in the 2024-2025 season.

Newton is built like a bulldog, and should have a clear path to playing time if he can utilize his athletic gifts to hound opposing scoring threats in a similar manner to the way Keon Ellis does. Ellis started 21 games for the Kings last year thanks in large part to his defensive prowess. Newton and Ellis are each talented offensive players in their own rights, but the less glamorous end appears to be where they can make their marks for their respective ball clubs.

Anthony Leal = Garrett Temple, Toronto Raptors

It seems like Anthony Leal has been a Hoosier for ages, similar to how it seems like Garrett Temple has been in the NBA for centuries. The two swingmen certainly bring a lot to the table in terms of their on the court abilities, but it is off the court where they can make their largest contributions to the teams that they represent. With that being said, having either of the two solid 3&D options at the end of the bench in case of emergencies is a luxury for a head coach.

Langdon Hatton = Jaylin Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Not to be mistaken for OKC's rising star Jalen, Williams has quietly blossomed into a nice backup big man at the NBA level. He may not do anything spectacularly, but he does everything you need from a bench big effectively (rebounds, set screens, even hits shots). Those same sentiments hold true in the case of Hatton, who should be looking at a moderate role as Indiana's first big man off the pine in the season to come.

Dallas James = Christian Koloko, Toronto Raptors

Dallas James and Christian Koloko are not going to blow anyone away with their offensive repertoires, and neither appears due for any type of serious expansion in their games on that end of the floor next season. Still, the 7-foot slender-men have the size to strike fear in the hearts opposing scorers while also serving as a vertical lob threat for their backcourt buddies to seek out while dashing to the basket.