Indiana Men's Basketball: Top 10 Hoosier Hoopers of the 21st Century
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Top Hoosier Hoopers of the 21st Century: 5-1
5. Bracey Wright
YEARS PLAYED: 2002 - 2005 (3 Seasons)
CAREER STATS: 85 GP (85 GS), 35.7 MPG, 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 40.5 FG%/35.0 3%/77.6 FT%
RANKING RATIONALE: His efficiency may not have depicted it, but Bracey Wright will forever go down as one of the most natural scorers in the history of Indiana hoops. He was the type of baller who his coach, Mike Davis, could throw the ball to for a bucket without drawing up a set. Wright was that good at putting the ball in the hole.
4. Victor Oladipo
YEARS PLAYED: 2010 - 2013 (3 Seasons)
CAREER STATS: 104 GP (75 GS), 24.6 MPG, 10.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 53.8 FG%/33.8 3%/71.6 FT%
RANKING RATIONALE: If these rankings were based on the most beloved former Hoosiers amongst the fanbase, Oladipo could realistically claim the crown. Similar to OG Anunoby, Oladipo was never a highly touted prospect coming out of high school. But also just like Anunoby, he did not let the lack of acknowledgement thwart his path to the pros. He is another classic case of inspiration for those that may feel overlooked, and has sustained his status as a source of motivation for current and future Hoosier hoopers alike:
🗣 It's different. Play like it.@VicOladipo | #ProIU pic.twitter.com/vNTRbh1InW
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) November 21, 2023
3. Eric Gordon
YEARS PLAYED: 2007-2008 (1 Season)
CAREER STATS: 32 GP (32 GS), 34.7 MPG, 20.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 43.3 FG%/33.7 3%/83.4 FT%
RANKING RATIONALE: Eric Gordon and Bracey Wright were a lot alike during their stints at Indiana, but most would agree that Gordon was the superior scorer between the lasting legends. While his star teammate D.J. White may have been recognized as the conference's top overall player during Gordon's one season with the Hoosiers, the combo guard was an unstoppable force with or without the ball in his hands. He was (and remains to this day) a transcendent three-level scorer who had the ability to completely take over an entire game in a matter of seconds.
2. Yogi Ferrell
YEARS PLAYED: 2012 - 2016 (4 Seasons)
CAREER STATS: 137 GP (137 GS), 32.8 MPG, 14.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.6 APG, 0.1 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 43.2 FG%/39.9 3%/83.0 FT%
RANKING RATIONALE: Remember when we noted Oladipo as potentially the most beloved of the former Hoosiers on this list? If there is one guy who could (and probably would) topple Vic it would have to be Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell. He was the second major domino to fall during the team's turnaround phase in the early 2010's, and is maybe the best point guard ever to call IU home outside of Isiah Thomas. His lack of height could have made him a liability, but his fearlessness and overall level of intelligence made Yogi one of the greatest assets in this program's history. He orchestrated a harmonious offense, hit shots of varying degrees of difficulty, defended the opposition's top perimeter threats (regardless of their size), exemplified genuine leadership skills at the helm, and established a reputation as a true warrior during his four seasons under Tom Crean.
1. Trayce Jackson-Davis
YEARS PLAYED: 2019 - 2023 (4 Seasons)
CAREER STATS: 126 GP (126 GS), 32.5 MPG, 17.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, 2.1 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 56.5 FG%/0 3%/67.6 FT%
RANKING RATIONALE: All of the previously mentioned individuals certainly have a case for this spot, but TJD is the most dominant college basketball player of the 21st century to make a pitstop in B-Town during his race (no pun intended, Mr. Thompson) to the NBA level. The lefty was never able to develop a jumpshot similar to White and Zeller, but his combination of craftiness and physicality made Jackson-Davis a wrecking ball of wizardry down low. He single-handedly controlled the boards each and every night, anchored the team's defense, and served as the focal point of the offense to flow through in all four of his collegiate campaigns. When it was all said and done, he climbed the ranks of the IU elite and left the Sample Gates district as the program's 3rd all-time leading scorer.