Ranking The 2024 NBA players born in Indiana
With the 2024-25 NBA season tipping off on Oct. 22, our state known for its basketball will be represented by 12 active NBA players.
What better way to celebrate than to rank the Hoosier-born athletes? Note that this list will only include active NBA players born in Indiana as listed by ProBasketballReference.
Recent retirements include Gordon Hayward, Kyle Guy and (unofficially) George Hill.
Notable free agents playing overseas or in the G-League include Romeo Langford, Devin Cannady, Malik Williams, Dylan Windler and Sean McDermott.
12. Dru Smith, Evansville
Going into year three, the Evansville Reitz and Evansville University product has seen minimal run but has taken advantage of the opportunities he has been given. His career averages stretched out to 36 minutes per game sitting at 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Smith will likely be splitting time between the Miami Heat and their G-League affiliate.
11. Craig Porter Jr., Terre Haute
A solid rotational piece for the Cleveland Cavaliers his rookie year averaging 5.6 points per game, the Terre Haute South and Vincennes University product has the potential for a promising future. However, the rest of the list has simply shown more flashes.
10. Cody Zeller, Washington
The last of the three Zeller brothers remaining in the NBA, the Washington and IU legend has donned one of the best basketball careers in the state's history. However, going into year 12, the current Atlanta Hawk is running out of juice at the latter end of his career. At his peak, he averaged 11 points and seven rebounds per game with the Charlotte Hornets in 2019.
9. Blake Wesley, South Bend
Entering his third season with the San Antonio Spurs, the Riley High School and Notre Dame product has contributed effective minutes during his short tenure and has even logged four starts through two seasons. Averaging five points and three assists, Wesley has not had any eye-popping numbers, but getting consistent minutes under head coach Greg Popovich should be telling enough of his skillset.
8. Mason Plumlee, Fort Wayne
A similar scenario as Zeller, the Fort Wayne native has had a long career to date. However, heading into year 12, the production is beginning to slip. Unlike Zeller, Plumlee has been a more serviceable role player in the final years of his career. Coming off averages of five points and five rebounds last season with the Clippers, Plumlee will be joining the Suns in hopes of winning a championship before retirement.
7. Eric Gordon, Indianapolis
The eighth overall pick in 2008, heading into year 17 the North Central and Indiana University great has had a graceful decrease in production. With the Suns last year, Gordon had his worst season to date — which was still an impressive 11 points per game on 38% from three. One of the most underrated scorers in NBA history, Gordon still has one of the best jump shots in the league and has gas left in the tank as he joins the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming year.
6. Gary Harris, Fishers
Heading into year 11, the Hamilton Southeastern alum has settled into a lower role with the Orlando Magic over the past couple of years. At his peak, Harris averaged 18 points per game and two steals, but injuries have dwindled him down into a three-and-d role. Despite this, Harris has continued to contribute both as a starter and off the bench —- shooting 39% from behind the arc in Orlando.
5. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Greenwood
Only going into year two, the Center Grove and Indiana University and son of Pacers legend Dale Davis jumped onto the scene with the Golden State Warriors averaging an efficient eight points, five rebounds and one block per game. With an increased role being expected, Jackson-Davis is bound to have an impressive season in Golden State.
4. Jaden Ivey, South Bend
Averaging 15 or more points ea of his first two seasons, the La Lumiere and Purdue great has cemented himself as one of the top young scorers in the league. If Ivey can improve his efficiency, he has the potential to become one of the best players in the league. Heading into year three, Ivey will have lofty expectations to make that next step in his development.
3. Michael Porter Jr., Indianapolis
One of the best pure scorers in the league, the 2023 NBA champ is coming off the healthiest season of his career where he averages 17 points and seven rebounds per game. In his role, Porter is asked two things — shoot the lights out of the ball and play complimentary ball to Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. The trio of him, Murray and Jokic are once again one of the top teams in the league and have the potential to be one of the best trios the sport has ever seen.
2. Darius Garland, Gary
Entering year six with the Cavaliers, Garland has risen to one of the best point guards in the league — ranked as the 58th-best player in the league by The Ringer. A 2021 all-star selection, Garland has averaged 18 points and seven assists during his career in Cleveland and will have title aspirations this season with one of the best rosters in the league.
1. Desmond Bane, Richmond
Coming off a few injury-riddled seasons, the Memphis Grizzlies have gone all-in on the fifth-year guard when they signed him to a four-year $200 million contract last summer. In the 44 games he did play last season, the Seton Catholic grad averaged a career-high 24 points, five rebounds and six assists to pair with a steal and half a block per game. As long as he remains healthy, the sky is the limit for Bane as one of the best two-way players in the league.
(All Images courtesy of Getty Images)
