A pair of former IU basketball stars have new deals on Sunday according to multiple reports.
The Phoenix Suns have agreed to a deal with former IU basketball one-and-done star Eric Gordon, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Terms of the deal were not immediately reported.
The 34-year-old Gordon was reportedly highly sought after this offseason, per Charania, and turned down more lucrative offers to sign with the Suns. He reportedly considered the Golden State Warriors as well as the Houston Rockets, according to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko. Gordon was traded from the Rockets to the Los Angeles Clippers midway through this past season.
Gordon averaged 12.4 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game in 69 appearances and 58 starts. The Clippers let Gordon walk in free agency after the team decided not to guarantee his $21 million contract, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week.
Originally selected at No. 7 in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Clippers, Gordon holds career averages of 16.0 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game. The 2016-17 Sixth Man of the Year played five seasons in New Orleans and seven in Houston.
In his only season at Indiana, Gordon started all 32 games and averaged 20.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 43.3% from the field and 33.7% from three.
Also reported on Sunday, Cody Zeller has signed a new deal with New Orleans according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. According to the report, Zeller’s new deal with the Pelicans is for one year and $3.1 million.
After a full calendar year as a free agent, Zeller finished the 2022-23 season with the Miami Heat and played in the NBA Finals.
A former fourth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection, Zeller has played in 509 games over his NBA career. He has averaged 8.4 points and 5.9 rebounds while playing for three different teams, including his first eight years with Charlotte.
Zeller played two seasons with Indiana and was an immediate success, winning the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2012 as voted on by the coaches. He was first-team All-Big Ten for the 2012-13 season. For his Indiana career the Washington, Ind. native averaged 16.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and shot 59.3% from the field.
Earlier this week during NBA free agency, former IU stars Victor Oladipo was traded to Oklahoma City, and Thomas Bryant signed with Miami. Romeo Langford is currently a free agent, and OG Anunoby is still with the Toronto Raptors.
Jalen Hood-Schifino was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in June, and Trayce Jackson-Davis was drafted by the Golden State Warriors.
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