Seven former IU basketball stars were with NBA franchises during the 2023-24 season.
After recovering from knee surgery and not suiting up for the Houston Rockets, Victor Oladipo was acquired by Memphis in a trade at the beginning of February. However, he was waived shortly after.
Here’s a look at how the other six players, all headed to the NBA Playoffs, fared this year.
OG Anunoby – New York Knicks
Coming off a strong 2022-23 season where he averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and led the NBA in steals, Anunoby continued to be a focal point for the Raptors early in 2023-24.
However, given the Raptors struggles and his contract status, the 26-year-old saw a change of scenery on December 30, heading to the New York Knicks in a trade.
After missing a few weeks to have surgery for an elbow injury, Anunoby is back on the court for the Knicks as they finished the regular season with a 120-119 OT win against Chicago on Sunday to secure the two seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
In 23 games played with the Knicks, OG is averaging 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
New York opens first-round action at home on Saturday against the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat Play-In game. The 76ers and Heat matchup is set for Wednesday night at 7:00 PM EST on ESPN.
2023-24 Stats:
Games/Games Started – 50/50
MPG – 34.0
Points – 14.7
Rebounds – 4.2
Assists – 2.1
Blocks – 0.7
Steals – 1.4
FG% – .489
3FG% – .382
FT% – .753
Eric Gordon – Phoenix Suns
Eric Gordon, now in his 16th season in the league, continues to be a key contributor for teams looking to make deep postseason runs.
In 68 games played with the Phoenix Suns, Gordon is averaging 11.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 27.8 minutes per game. During the season he became just the 15th player in league history to surpass 2,000 made three-pointers in an NBA career.
At 49-33, the Suns are the sixth seed in the Western Conference and will face the third seed Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
It is Gordon’s seventh appearance in the NBA playoffs.
2023-24 Stats:
Games/Games Started – 68/24
MPG – 27.8
Points – 11.0
Rebounds – 1.8
Assists – 2.0
Blocks – 0.4
Steals – 1.0
FG% – .443
3FG% – .378
FT% – .797
Trayce Jackson-Davis – Golden State Warriors
As the 57th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Trayce Jackson-Davis came into the league with something to prove. He found the perfect fit to maximize his skill set.
Although he started off spending time in the G-League, Jackson-Davis continued to work on his game and took full advantage of his opportunities when minutes became available. He is a key contributor for a Warriors squad that, while older, has the necessary playoff and championship experience to be a tough opponent in the play-in and potentially the first round.
TJD started the Warriors last 11 games and averaged 10.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in 25 minutes per game over that span.
The Warriors travel to Sacramento for the 9 vs. 10 Western Conference Play-In game tonight at 10:00 PM EST on TNT.
2023-24 Stats:
Games/Games Started – 68/16
MPG – 16.6
Points – 7.9
Rebounds – 5.0
Assists – 1.2
Blocks – 1.1
Steals – 0.4
FG% – .702
3FG% – .000
FT% – .561
Thomas Bryant – Miami Heat
While not having as substantial of a role as he did early in his career, Thomas Bryant is averaging 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game with the Heat and has shown the ability to still be an impactful contributor off the bench.
In Miami’s 118-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, Bryant finished the game with 18 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes played.
For a team and franchise that always seems to be a tough out in the playoffs, Bryant’s name could be called in a reserve role to play key minutes if necessary.
The Heat travel to Philadelphia for the 7 vs. 8 Eastern Conference Play-In game on Wednesday at 7:00 PM EST on ESPN.
2023-24 Stats:
Games/Games Started – 38/4
MPG – 11.6
Points – 5.7
Rebounds – 3.7
Assists – 0.6
Blocks – 0.4
Steals – 0.3
FG% – .577
3FG% – .182
FT% – .872
Jalen Hood-Schifino – Los Angeles Lakers
As the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Jalen Hood-Schifino has the talent to be an impactful NBA player.
Being part of an older team that is in win now mode, there haven’t been many opportunities for him to shine this season.
Hood-Schifino has appeared in just 21 games for the Lakers. He dealt with injuries, and spent time in the G League where he averaged 22 points and shot 43.2% from three.
The Lakers are in the playoffs, but Hood-Schifino is not expected to play after having a back procedure.
2023-24 Stats:
Games/Games Started – 21/0
MPG – 5.2
Points – 1.6
Rebounds – 0.6
Assists – 0.4
Blocks – 0.1
Steals – 0.1
FG% – .222
3FG% – .133
FT% – .600
Cody Zeller – New Orleans Pelicans
After playing the first eight seasons of his career in Charlotte, Cody Zeller has been on three different teams in three years.
Now with the New Orleans Pelicans, he is in a limited role off the bench.
The 31-year-old Zeller is averaging 1.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game for the Pelicans.
The seventh-seeded Pelicans will square off with the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 16, on TNT with the winner advancing to face the second-seeded Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
2023-24 Stats:
Games/Games Started – 43/0
MPG – 7.4
Points – 1.8
Rebounds – 2.6
Assists – 0.9
Blocks – 0.1
Steals – 0.2
FG% – .419
3FG% – .333
FT% – .605
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