Indiana saw three players get selected in the last two NBA Drafts, but that streak appears set to end this summer.
No one from Mike Woodson’s final IU squad was included in ESPN’s updated top-100 NBA Draft prospects published this week.
At various stages in their high school and college careers, each of Mackenzie Mgbako, Kanaan Carlyle and Oumar Ballo were thought to at least have the potential to be drafted.
Ballo is out of eligibility and he has formally entered his name in the draft. But the outlook is not promising for the 7-foot product of Mali. He is not expected to be chosen this summer, as his more traditional post-up game is not typically valued in the NBA, and he is not an elite athlete.
Mgbako will play his junior season of college basketball at Texas A&M as he attempts to revive what was once a first round projection according to some outlets. With his length and shooting ability, Mgbako could work his way back into the conversation as an upperclassman.
Carlyle is in the transfer portal and has yet to announced a new college destination. He also appeared on NBA Draft projections as a high school and early college prospect, but now has a long climb to get back there after a disappointing sophomore campaign in Bloomington.
Meanwhile, former McDonald’s All-American Bryson Tucker will attempt to build his NBA resume at Washington this year, while former All-Pac 12 guard Myles Rice will do the same at Maryland.
Woodson appeared to have established momentum when it came to sending IU players to the NBA. After a three-year drought, IU had two players chosen in 2023 when Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino both came off the board. Center Kel’el Ware was a first round selection in 2024.
Historically, Indiana remains one of the nation’s best producers of NBA talent.
The Indiana men’s basketball program has had 28 players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft since its inception in 1947. The Hoosiers are one of six Big Ten conference schools with at least 20 first-round selections.
Indiana has produced two No. 1 overall picks, tied for third in the NCAA. In total, IU has had 80 players selected in the NBA Draft.
The draft is set for June 25-26.
For complete coverage of IU basketball, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Find us on Facebook and Instagram
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
