Top 5 Highest NBA Career Earnings Among Former IUBB Players

Once upon a time, the Detroit Pistons stunned the world when they signed iconic Hoosier point guard Isaiah Thomas to an 11-year contract worth approximately $2 million. At the time, it was the longest and largest contract ever signed by a Detroit Piston. For perspective on how things have changed with the landscape of the league's financial infrastructure, Cade Cunningham just claimed the designation of the largest contract in Detroit history via his recent 5-year, $224 million pact with the Pistons.

Thomas, one of the most legendary players in the history of Hoosier hoops, compiled career earnings of roughly $16.7 million during his playing days. For further perspective on the humongously inflated salary changes throughout the years, the NBA's newest Hoosier Kel'el Ware recently inked his rookie deal in the amount of 4-years and $22.5 million. Believe it or not, Ware's contract with the Miami Heat is already one of the largest NBA contracts ever signed by a former Indiana Hoosier.

With that in mind, we could not help but to ponder who the highest earning NBA players from Indiana University are. Upon conducting a little bit of research, it is clear that the NBA's ever evolving/expanding salary cap has benefitted the younger generations of Hoosiers who have successfully infiltrated the association.

Here are the top 5 NBA career earners who came out of IU.

5 = Thomas Bryant | Career Earnings: $37.5 Million | Largest Deal: 3 Years, $25 Million with Washington in July 2019

Thomas Bryant played well enough during his 2 seasons at IU (2015-2017) to hear his name called with the 42nd overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft (rights were acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers). TB is preparing to enter his 8th season in the league, and recently inked his 5th NBA contract to return to the same squad he suited up for a season ago (and the same squad that drafted fellow Hoosier Kel'el Ware), the Miami Heat.

4 = Cody Zeller | Career Earnings: $78.8 Million | Largest Deal: 4 Years, $56 Million with Charlotte in October 2016

After essentially serving as the first domino in the renaissance period of Indiana men's basketball, Cody Zeller was rightfully selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 4th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. While he has not blossomed into the type of All-Star center that many anticipated he would, Zeller has sustained a steady spot in the NBA through his first 11 NBA seasons. The soon to be 32-year-old is preparing to play for his 5th NBA franchise as a member of the Atlanta Hawks after being included in the blockbuster deal that sent Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans.

3 = Victor Oladipo | Career Earnings: $125.8 Million | Largest Deal: 4 Years, $84 Million with Oklahoma City in October 2016

Were it not for a seemingly never-ending stream of injuries, Victor Oladipo would have assuredly earned much more moolah in his NBA career. The versatile swingman earned 2 All-Star nods via his ways as a defensive menace and offensive livewire. Unfortunately, it would appear that we have seen the last of Vic's playing days on the court.

2 = Eric Gordon | Career Earnings: $212.20 Million | Largest Deal: 4 Years, $75 Million with Houston in August 2019

Eric Gordon was one of the greatest basketball players ever to sport an Indiana University basketball uniform, and his success at IU has trickled over into his NBA career. After signing a veteran minimum deal to join the Philadelphia 76ers this summer, the Bahamian national and 2017 NBA Sixth Man of the Year is presently preparing to suit up for his 5th NBA team in what will be his 17th NBA campaign.

1 = O.G. Anunoby | Career Earnings: $293.90 Million | Largest Deal: 5 Years, $212.5 Million with New York in July 2024

O.G. Anunoby has earned his spot at the top of the list of Bloomington breadwinners through his extremely versatile defensive acumen and quietly solid offensive repertoire. He is not the type of player who needs many/any sets drawn up for him offensively in order to assert himself and make his presence felt in a ball game.

Anunoby consistently clamps up opponents' top offensive options, and it never seems to matter which position these aforementioned matchups play. He has the athleticism and smarts to stick with guards/wings, and the bulk to battle with bigs like he did with Joel Embiid in the playoffs. Following his arrival in New York, it was painfully obvious that the team reached a new level with him in town. As a reward for his catalyst capabilities, the Knicks front office pulled up to O.G.'s place with the brinks truck this offseason.