Hoosiers in the NBA: How former IU players are performing early in the 2024-25 season

  • Nov 12, 2024 12:00 pm in

Throughout the 2024-25 season, we’ll periodically update you on former Hoosiers in the NBA.

The 2024-25 NBA season tipped off last month and seven former Hoosiers made opening night rosters. Here’s a look at how each player has performed thus far:

OG Anunoby, New York Knicks

The Knicks have had a slow start, going 4-5 through nine games. Anunoby, however, has been solid at the beginning of the season.

The former IU wing is averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 36 minutes per game. He’s shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 40.8 percent on 3s and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.

The 27-year-old is in the first year of a contract extension that will pay him $212.5 million over five years.

Thomas Bryant, Miami Heat

Like the Knicks, Miami is also struggling to begin the season. The Heat have an identical 4-5 record and are tied with New York for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Bryant, 27, has played in seven of the team’s nine games. He’s averaging a solid 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12.7 minutes while shooting 47.6 percent from the field. He’s 4-for-11 on 3s (36.4 percent) and 5-for-5 from the free throw line.

The Rochester, New York, native is earning close to $2.1 million this season and will have career earnings of more than $34 million by the end of the season.

Eric Gordon, Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers have been one of the NBA’s most disappointing teams to begin the 2024-25 season. Philadelphia has a 2-7 record and is tied with Washington, Milwaukee, Toronto and Utah for the fewest wins in the league.

The 35-year-old Gordon has struggled with his new team thus far. He has played in eight of the team’s nine games, averaging 6.1 points in 20.6 minutes off the bench. He’s shooting just 38.5 percent from the field and 30.4 percent on 3s. Overall, Gordon is 7-for-23 from distance. He’s a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter.

Gordon is in the first year of a two-year deal, including a player option for the 2025-26 season. He’s earning $3.3 million this season.

Jalen Hood-Schifino, Los Angeles Lakers

Hood-Schifino received disappointing news in late November when it was announced that the Lakers had declined his option for the 2025-26 season. That means Hood-Schifino will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

He’s appeared in just one game for the Lakers this season and it came in garbage time of a 116-106 win against Philadelphia on November 8. He played just one minute.

Expect Hood-Schifino to spend a lot of time this season with the South Bay Lakers in the NBA’s G-League.

Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors

Golden State is off to a sizzling 8-2 start and Jackson-Davis is a crucial piece to the puzzle for the Warriors.

The second-year big man has played in all 10 of the team’s game and has started every contest. He’s averaging 7.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 16.8 minutes per game. More impressive, however, is the efficiency of Jackson-Davis. He’s shooting 69.2 percent from the field.

The Center Grove product is a bargain for Golden State. After earning $1.1 million in his stellar rookie season, Jackson-Davis is earning $1.9 million this season.

Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat

It’s been a slow start for Ware, who was the No. 15 pick in June’s NBA draft. The former IU big man has appeared in five of the team’s nine games.

He’s averaging 2.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game, shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent on 3s. His most notable game came against Phoenix on November 6 when he scored seven points and pulled down three rebounds in 14 minutes in a 115-112 loss.

The 20-year-old is earning $4.7 million as a rookie.

Cody Zeller, Atlanta Hawks

Zeller has yet to appear in a game this season for the Hawks, who are 4-7.

According to the team, he is out for personal reasons and has no timeline for returning.

He is earning $3.5 million this season and has amassed career earnings of more than $80 million.

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