Hoosiers in the NBA: Seven former IU players make opening night rosters
Throughout the 2024-25 season, we’ll periodically update you on former Hoosiers in the NBA.
The 2024-25 NBA season tipped off Tuesday night and seven former IU players are on opening night rosters. Here’s a rundown of each player, including their salary:
OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
Anunoby enters his eighth NBA season and second in New York after being traded to the Knicks last season. Over his career, he’s averaged 12 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.1 minutes per game.
The No. 23 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Anunoby is set to earn $36.6 million this season.
Thomas Bryant, Miami Heat
Bryant also enters his eighth season in the NBA and is back with Miami for a second season. Bryant was a member of Denver’s NBA championship team in the 2022-23 season. He owns career averages of 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and one assist in 18.5 minutes over 267 games.
The Rochester, New York native will earn $2.8 million this season, which will bring his career earnings north of $34 million.
Eric Gordon, Philadelphia 76ers
The Indianapolis native begins his 17th season, and this year, he’ll be in Philadelphia. The No. 7 pick in the 2008 NBA draft, Gordon has averaged 15.7 points, 2.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds over his career.
Gordon is set to earn $3.3 million this season, with career earnings of more than $183 million.
Jalen Hood-Schifino, Los Angeles Lakers
Hood-Schifino hopes to get his career on track after injuries limited him as a rookie in Los Angeles. In 21 games last season for the Lakers, he averaged just 1.6 points in 5.2 minutes per game and shot only 22.2 percent from the field.
The 2022-23 Big Ten freshman of the year will earn $3.8 million this season and was the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors
After narrowly missing on All-NBA rookie second-team honors last season, Jackson-Davis is back for his sophomore campaign with the Warriors. He was terrific last season for Golden State and averaged 7.9 points, five rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks in 68 games.
The No. 57 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Jackson-Davis will earn $1.8 million this season.
Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat
Ware impressed in the NBA Summer League and the preseason for Miami. It’ll be interesting to see if he can become a regular rotation player for the Heat.
An All-Big Ten second-team selection last season, Ware will earn $4.6 million this season. He was the No. 15 pick in June’s NBA draft.
Cody Zeller, Atlanta Hawks
Zeller is a grizzled NBA veteran entering his 12th season. Over his career, he has averaged 7.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 552 games.
Zeller has earned more than $82 million in his career and will make $3.5 million this season for the Hawks.
The @NBA season tips TONIGHT. ?
Best of luck to our Hoosiers in the pros! pic.twitter.com/3P1keLQL6P
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) October 22, 2024
Filed to: Cody Zeller, Eric Gordon, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Kel'el Ware, O.G. Anunoby, Thomas Bryant, Trayce Jackson-Davis