# Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball

Indiana State Sycamores basketball is the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2011.
The Sycamores' first season was 1896, making them the oldest basketball team in the NCAA along with Bucknell, Minnesota, Washington and Yale; however, the records from 1896 to 1899 have been lost over time. The Sycamores boast two College Players of the Year, 14 All-Americans, 42 1,000-point scorers, and 1,600+ victories.
In addition, the Sycamores have 28 postseason appearances (7 NCAA, 5 NIT, 2 CBI, 1 CIT, 12 NAIA, and the 1936 Olympic Trials) with six national championship appearances (2 NCAA, 1 NIT and 3 NAIA). Seven Sycamores were members of the 1951 Pan-American Games gold medal-winning team. The Sycamores' most memorable season was 1978–79, when unanimous National Player of the Year Larry Bird led an undefeated team to its first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, as well as the AP and UPI national titles. However, it lost the national title game versus the Magic Johnson-led Michigan State team; and ended the season with a record of 33–1. Their performance was the deepest run by a first-time participant in the Division I tournament, and one of only three times that a first-time team has advanced as far as the Final Four (UNCC in 1977 and Georgia in 1983). They would not have another postseason appearance until 2000.
The Sycamores were the national runner-up in the NCAA College Division (now Division II) in 1968; they won the NAIA national championship in 1950, had NAIA Finals appearances in 1946 and 1948 and NAIA National semifinals appearances in 1949 and 1953. Most recently, the Sycamores were the 2024 NIT National Finalist. Over the decades, the Sycamores were led by All-Americans Larry Bird, Duane Klueh, Dick Atha, Lenny Rzeszewski, Butch Wade and Jerry Newsom. As the program transitioned from NAIA to the NCAA, one final NAIA highlight was Ray Goddard leading the entire nation (all collegiate divisions) in free-throw percentage (91.2%) during the 1961–62 season. Former head coaches include Hall of Famer John Wooden, Purdue All-American Dave Schellhase, Glenn M. Curtis and well-known college coaches such as Bob King, Royce Waltman, Tates Locke and Ron Greene. Former assistants include collegiate head coaches such as Rick Ray (Mississippi State, Southeast Missouri), Rob Flaska (Centenary), Jim Saia (Cal State-Los Angeles), Stan Gouard (Univ of Southern Indiana) and Benjy Taylor (North Central, Hawai'i and Tuskegee), Thad Matta (Butler, Xavier, Ohio State), Kareem Richardson (Missouri-Kansas City), Phil Hopkins (Western Carolina), Mel Garland (IUPUI), and ABA/NBA Great Mel Daniels.
The Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball team currently play their home games at the Hulman Center.

## Postseason
### Division I NCAA tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in four NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 5–4.
| Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1979 | 1 | Regional Quarterfinals Regional Semifinals Regional Finals Final Four National Championship Game | (8) Virginia Tech (5) Oklahoma (2) Arkansas (2) DePaul (2) Michigan State | W 86–69 W 93–72 W 73–71 W 76–74 L 64–75 |
| 2000 | 12 | First round | (5) Texas | L 61–77 |
| 2001 | 13 | First round Second round | (4) Oklahoma (12) Gonzaga | W 70–68 $^{OT}$ L 68–85 |
| 2011 | 14 | First round | (3) Syracuse | L 60–77 |

### NIT results

The Sycamores have appeared in five National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 5–5.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1977 | First round | Houston | L 82–83 |
| 1978 | First round Quarterfinals | Illinois State Rutgers | W 73–71 L 56–57 |
| 2013 | First round | Iowa | L 52–68 |
| 2014 | First round | Arkansas | L 71–91 |
| 2024 | First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals Championship Game | Southern Methodist Minnesota Cincinnati Utah Seton Hall | W 101–92 W 76–64 W 85–81 W 100–90 L 77-79 |

### CBI results

The Sycamores have received two College Basketball Invitational (CBI) berths. Their combined record is 1–2.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2010 | First round | Saint Louis | L 54–63 |
| 2023 | First round Quarterfinals | USC Upstate Eastern Kentucky | W 67–62 L 88–89$^{OT}$ |

### CIT results

The Sycamores appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). Their record is 0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2012 | First round | Robert Morris | L 60–67 |

### Division II NCAA tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in three NCAA Division II basketball tournaments. Their combined record is 5–4. They hosted the Great Lakes Regional during the 1966-67 Tournament.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1966 | Regional semifinals Regional 3rd-place game | Southern Illinois Lamar | L 65–83 L 78–93 |
| 1967 | Regional semifinals Regional Finals | Luther Valparaiso | W 109–88 L 77–80 |
| 1968 | Regional semifinals Regional Finals National Quarterfinals National semifinals National Championship Game | South Dakota State Illinois State UNLV Trinity Kentucky Wesleyan | W 101–83 W 98–93 W 94–75 W 77–67 L 52–63 |

### NAIA Tournament results

The Sycamores appeared in the NAIA Division I men's basketball tournament 12 times. They reached the NAIA Final Four five times. The Sycamores combined NAIA Tournament record is 25–12. Indiana State is the only team to finish as the National Runner-Up in the NAIA and both the NCAA DI and DII tournaments.
Indiana State won 7 NAIA District 21 titles (1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1959, 1962 and 1963)
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1942 | First round Second round Quarterfinals | Wisconsin–Stevens Point Simpson Hamline | W 83–45 W 51–43 L 41–45 |
| 1943 | First round | Northwest Missouri State | L 28–37 |
| 1946 | First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship Game | St. Cloud State Houston Dakota Wesleyan Pepperdine Southern Illinois | W 62–51 W 62–43 W 55–34 W 56–43 L 40–49 |
| 1948 | First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship Game | St. Francis (PA) BYU San Jose State Hamline Louisville | W 72–40 W 82–68 W 59–52 W 66–65 $^{OT}$ L 70–82 |
| 1949 | First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Third Place Game | Eastern New Mexico Loyola (MD) Emporia State Regis Beloit | W 60–42 W 78–5–8 W 67–66 L 45–48 $^{2OT}$ L 59–67 |
| 1950 | First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship Game | Delta State Arkansas Tech Baldwin–Wallace Tampa East Central State (OK) | W 65–59 W 87–79 W 61–39 W 73–69 W 61–57 |
| 1952 | First round Second round | Farleigh Dickinson Southwest Missouri State | W 79–72 L 64–82 |
| 1953 | First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Third Place Game | Midwestern State Arkansas Tech Findlay Southwest Missouri State East Texas State | W 100–76 W 100–81 W 106–70 L 78–84 W 74–71 |
| 1954 | First round | Geneva | L 82–88 |
| 1959 | First round Second round | Morningside Georgia Southern | W 87–67 L 70–73 |
| 1962 | First round | Winston-Salem | L 71–83 |
| 1963 | First round Second round | Parsons Carson-Newman | W 78–77 L 63–70 |

## 1936 Olympic trials

Coach Wally Marks' 1935–36 Sycamores gained national attention when they participated in the first national post-season collegiate basketball tournament. The winning team would earn the right to name five players to represent the United States in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, the first Games to feature the American sport of basketball. By earning the bid, the Sycamores joined a select group of college teams hand-picked by the Amateur Athletic Union, the U.S. governing organization.
The Olympic team members were selected from the best AAU teams and winners of the national collegiate tournament conducted in eight regional districts. The Sycamores earned a bid by winning two games in Indianapolis (12-14 March) and advanced to the district finals and were pitted against Coach Jim Kelly's DePaul Blue Demons, at the Chicago Armory, DePaul's home court. Despite vaulting to a 10–0 lead, maintaining a 16–10 halftime advantage and outscoring the hosts from the field, Marks' cagers lost on a long shot in the waning moments of the game, 29–28.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1936 United States Olympic Trials | First round Second round Third round | Miami (OH) Augustana (IL) DePaul | W 45–27 W 30–26 L 28–29 |

## 1951 Pan American Games

The 1949–50 squad won the NAIA 1950 National Championship. Subsequently, Coach John Longfellow and eight Sycamore players were invited to represent the United States in the inaugural (1951) Pan American Games, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sycamores Roger Adkins, Dick Atha, Richard Babcock, Bob Gilbert, Tom Kern, Gene Lambdin, Ed Longfellow, and Cliff Murray represented the United States and Indiana State University. The United States defeated the national teams of Ecuador (74–32), Cuba (77–55), Panama (90–55) and Brazil (69–42) to reach the championship game against Argentina. The Americans defeated the hosts, (57–51), for the gold medal.

## USA Basketball players (10)

* Roger Adkins – 1951 Pan American Games
* Dick Atha – 1951 Pan American Games
* Richard Babcock – 1951 Pan American Games
* Bob Gilbert – 1951 Pan American Games
* Tom Kern – 1951 Pan American Games
* Gene Lambdin – 1951 Pan American Games
* Ed Longfellow – 1951 Pan American Games
* Cliff Murray – 1951 Pan American Games
* Larry Bird – 1977 World University Games
* Larry Bird – 1978 World Invitational Tournament
* Carl Nicks – 1979 Select Team.
* Larry Bird – 1992 Olympic team, a.k.a. "The Dream Team"

## Other national teams (2)

* DeCarsta Webster – Icelandic national basketball team (1984–1987)
* Manny Arop – Canadian University National Team (2013), Canadian Junior National Team (2011), Canadian U-19 National Team (2009), Canadian U-18 National Team (2008)

## Arenas

| Year | Home | Capacity |
| 1973–present | Hulman Center | 10,200 |
| 1962–1973 | Indiana State College Arena | 4,800 |
| 1928–1962 | Indiana State Teacher's College Gymnasium | 3,000 |
| 1923–1928 | Terre Haute William H. Wiley High School Gymnasium | 1,600 |
| 1895–1923 | Indiana State Normal School North Hall | unk |

## Player of the year
### National awards
#### National Player of the Year (2)

* Duane Klueh – 1948 NAIB Player of the Year Helms Foundation
* Larry Bird – 1979 consensus

#### Oscar Robertson Trophy (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### Naismith Award (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### John R. Wooden Award (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### Adolph Rupp Trophy (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### Eastman Award (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### Joe Lapchick Award (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### The Sporting News (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### Basketball Times (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

#### Basketball Weekly (1)

* Larry Bird – 1979

### Conference (6)

* Roger Adkins – 1952 Indiana Collegiate Conference
* Butch Wade – 1967 Indiana Collegiate Conference
* Jerry Newsom – 1968 Indiana Collegiate Conference
* Larry Bird – 1978 Larry Bird Trophy
* Larry Bird – 1979 Larry Bird Trophy
* Nate Green – 2000 Larry Bird Trophy

### National tournament (3)

* Duane Klueh – 1948 NAIA Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player
* Lenny Rzeszewski – 1950 NAIA Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player
* Jerry Newsom – 1968 NCAA Div II Men's Championship Most Outstanding Player

## Retired numbers

Five Sycamore players have had their numbers retired by the school. Jerry Newsom is the latest, with his number 41 retired by the school on February 19, 2022.
Indiana State Sycamores retired numbers :
| No. | Player | Pos. | Tenure | No. ret. |
| 22 | Carl Nicks | F | 1976–77, 1978–80 | 2019 |
| 33 | Larry Bird | F | 1976–79 | 2004 |
| 41 | Jerry Newsom | F / C | 1964–68 | 2022 |
| 44 | John Sherman Williams | F | 1982–86 | 2024 |
| 54 | Duane Klueh | F | 1945–49 | 2004 |

## All-Century Team

In 1899, basketball became a Sycamore tradition; in the first official game, State defeated the Terre Haute YMCA by a score of 20–17; in 1999, to recognize the first century of intercollegiate basketball, a panel selected the following All-Century Team.
In addition, 'All-Decade' teams were selected for the following:
* 1910s-1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
The rosters and more information can be found in the Winter 1999 (Volume 3, Number 1) issue of the 'Indiana State University Alumni Magazine.
Indiana State's All-Century Team :
| Name | Career | Notes |
| Roy 'Goose' Burris | 1922–25 | Member of Akron Firestone Non-Skids (1928-1934), 1933 NBL Champion; MiLB career (1925-1928) |
| Les Reynolds | 1929–31 | All-American Guard |
| Duane Klueh | 1947–49 | #7 career scorer; NAIB Player of the Year; All-American Forward, NBA Guard |
| Lenny Rzeszewski | 1947–50 | All-American Forward; NAIB Player of the Year |
| Dick Atha | 1950–53 | #24 career scorer, All-American Guard, NBA guard |
| Jerry Newsom | 1966–68 | #3 scorer, #2 rebounds, 2-time All-American Forward, NBA draftee |
| Butch Wade | 1965–67 | #4 scorer, 2-time All-American Guard, NBA draftee |
| George Pillow | 1969–71 | All-CMU Forward, #6 career rbs, #14 career pts |
| Larry Bird | 1977–79 | 3-time All-American Forward; Consensus National Player of the Year, Basketball Hall of Fame NBA Forward |
| Carl Nicks | 1977, 1979–80 | Guard, #7-T career pts, #8 career steals, NBA Guard |
| John Sherman Williams | 1983–86 | Forward, # 2 career pts, 4-time All-MVC, CBA & Foreign Leagues |
| Jim Cruse | 1994–96 | Forward, #5 career rbs, 2-time All-MVC |
| Coach Duane Klueh | 1955–67 | #1 wins, 3x ICC titles, 4-time ICC Coach of the Year, 5x post-season appearances. |
| Total members | Total members | 13 |

## All-Americans (17)

* Les Reynolds – 1930 Helms Foundation
* Duane Klueh – 1948 Helms Foundation
* Lenny Rzeszewski – 1949 NAIB
* Bob Royer – 1946, 1948, 1949 NAIB
* Dick Atha – 1953 Helms Foundation
* Butch Wade – 1965 AP, UPI
* Jerry Newsom – 1966 UPI
* Butch Wade – 1966 UPI
* Jerry Newsom – 1968 Coaches, AP, UPI
* Rick Williams – 1975 Basketball Weekly-Honorable Mention, Sporting News, Converse
* Rick Williams – 1976 Basketball Weekly-Honorable Mention, Sporting News, Converse
* Larry Bird – 1977 UPI-Third Team, AP-Honorable Mention
* Larry Bird – 1978 AP, UPI, USBWA, The Sporting News, Basketball Weekly
* Larry Bird – 1979 AP, UPI, USBWA, The Sporting News, Basketball Weekly
* Carl Nicks - 1980 AP Honorable Mention
* Robbie Avila - 2024 Lou Henson Mid-Major
* Isaiah Swope - 2024 Lou Henson Mid-Major

### CoSIDA Academic All-Americans (4)

* Dan Bush (Second Team) 1972
* Mike Route (Third Team) 1976
* Greg Thomas (Second Team) 1993
* Matt Renn (Second Team) 2001

### NCAA Post-Graduate scholarship (2)

* Dan Bush 1972
* Steve Reed 1981

## All-Conference (35)

Only players selected for the conference first team are displayed; for second team and honorable mention, please consult the Indiana State Men's basketball media guide at www.gosycamores.com

### All-Indiana Intercollegiate Conference (2)

| Year | Player |
| 1943 | Bill Hitch |
| 1946 | Ed Lash |

### All-Indiana Collegiate Conference (18)

| Year | Player |
| 1951 | Dick Atha |
| 1951 | Cliff Murray |
| 1952 | Rodger Adkins (MVP) |
| 1952 | Sam Richardson |
| 1952 | Dick Atha |
| 1953 | Roger Adkins |
| 1954 | Joe Lee |
| 1956 | Sam Richardson |
| 1958 | Jim Bates |
| 1961 | Howard Dardeen |
| 1962 | Howard Dardeen |
| 1964 | Wayne Allison |
| 1965 | Butch Wade |
| 1966 | Jerry Newsom |
| 1966 | Butch Wade |
| 1967 | Jerry Newsom |
| 1967 | Butch Wade (MVP) |
| 1968 | Jerry Newsom (MVP) |

### All-Midwestern Conference (3)

| Year | Player |
| 1971 | George Pillow |
| 1971 | Bob Barker |
| 1972 | Dan Bush |

### All-Missouri Valley Conference (13)

| Year | Player |
| 1978 | Larry Bird (MVP) |
| 1979 | Larry Bird (MVP) |
| 1979 | Carl Nicks |
| 1980 | Carl Nicks |
| 1985 | John Sherman Williams |
| 1986 | John Sherman Williams |
| 1998 | Jayson Wells |
| 2000 | Nate Green (MVP) |
| 2001 | Matt Renn |
| 2013 | Jake Odum |
| 2014 | Jake Odum |
| 2020 | Tyreke Key |
| 2021 | Tyreke Key |
| 2024 | Robbie Avila |

## Career leaders
### Scoring

| Name | Points |
| Larry Bird | 2,850 |
| John Sherman Williams | 2,374 |
| Jerry Newsom | 2,147 |
| Brenton Scott | 1,760 |
| Butch Wade | 1,672 |
| Tyreke Key | 1,650 |
| Jake Odum | 1,568 |
| David Moss | 1,562 |
| Jordan Barnes | 1,558 |
| Eddie Bird | 1,555 |
| Duane Klueh | 1,432 |
| Carl Nicks | 1,432 |
| Rick Williams | 1,351 |
| Matt Renn | 1,347 |
| Cooper Neese | 1,332 |

### Three-pointers

| Name | Points |
| Michael Menser | 283 |
| Jordan Barnes | 271 |
| Brenton Scott | 270 |
| Jordan Printy | 215 |
| Cooper Neese | 203 |
| Eddie Bird | 161 |
| Travis Inman | 154 |
| Tyreke Key | 153 |
| Chad Adkins | 149 |
| Aaron Carter | 133 |
| Greg Thomas | 130 |
| Marcus Howard | 125 |
| Marico Stinson | 125 |
| Gabe Moore | 120 |
| Rashad Reed | 118 |

### Rebounds

| Name | Rebounds |
| Larry Bird | 1,247 |
| Jerry Newsom | 953 |
| DeCarsta Webster | 862 |
| Matt Renn | 789 |
| Jim Cruse | 771 |
| George Pillow | 731 |
| Carl Richard | 709 |
| Djibril Kante | 676 |
| Rick Williams | 661 |
| John Sherman Williams | 629 |
| Brad Miley | 627 |
| Bob Barker | 620 |
| Jay Tunnell | 610 |
| Rich Mason | 581 |
| David Moss | 570 |

### Assists

| Name | Assists |
| Steve Reed | 616 |
| Jake Odum | 602 |
| Rick Fields | 551 |
| Jimmy Smith | 517 |
| Nate Green | 496 |
| Gabe Moore | 444 |
| Larry Bird | 435 |
| Michael Menser | 426 |
| Jordan Barnes | 383 |
| Nick Hargrove | 369 |
| Julian Larry | 357 |
| David Moss | 350 |
| Greg Thomas | 331 |
| Steve Phillips | 328 |
| Devonte Brown | 284 |

### Steals

| Name | Steals |
| Larry Bird | 240 |
| Nate Green | 240 |
| Gabe Moore | 203 |
| Jake Odum | 202 |
| Michael Menser | 188 |
| Brenton Scott | 173 |
| Matt Renn | 165 |
| Julian Larry | 158 |
| Rick Fields | 149 |
| Jordan Barnes | 138 |
| David Moss | 133 |
| Carl Nicks | 128 |
| Marcus Howard | 125 |
| Nick Hargrove | 118 |
| Devonte Brown | 113 |

### Blocked shots

| Name | Blocks |
| DeCarsta Webster | 168 |
| Isiah Martin | 136 |
| Djibril Kante | 127 |
| Emondre Rickman | 116 |
| Nate Green | 109 |
| Justin Gant | 96 |
| Jayson Wells | 94 |
| Larry Bird | 83 |
| Alex Gilbert | 75 |
| John Sherman Williams | 72 |
| Jake Kitchell | 70 |
| Marcus Johnson | 66 |
| Myles Walker | 61 |
| Josh Crawford | 61 |
| Terry Braun | 53 |
* A bronze statue of Larry Bird by sculptor Bill Wolfe was dedicated on November 9, 2013, prior to the annual men's basketball with Ball State University. The statue honors Bird's legendary status in the Holy Land of Basketball _ INDIANA.

## Coaching leaders

The Sycamores have been led by 26 different Head Coaches through their history, the top 16 coaches; in terms of wins; are listed below.
| Years | Coach (Alma Mater) | Wins | Losses | Pct. |
| 1955–1967 | Duane Klueh (Indiana State) | 182 | 122 | .599 |
| 2010-2021 | Greg Lansing (South Dakota) | 181 | 164 | .525 |
| 1997–2007 | Royce Waltman (Slippery Rock) | 134 | 164 | .450 |
| 1938–1946 | Glenn M. Curtis (Indiana State) | 122 | 45 | .731 |
| 1948–1954 | John Longfellow (Manchester) | 122 | 64 | .656 |
| 1967–1974 | Gordon B. Stauffer (Michigan State) | 121 | 92 | .568 |
| 1927–1931, 1933–1938 | Wally Marks (Chicago) | 91 | 59 | .607 |
| 1978–1982 | Bill Hodges (Purdue / Marian, (Ind.) | 67 | 48 | .582 |
| 2021-2024 | Josh Schertz (Fla. Atlantic) | 66 | 40 | .623 |
| 1975–1978 | Bob King (Iowa) | 61 | 24 | .718 |
| 1918–1923 | Birch Bayh (Indiana State) | 57 | 24 | .704 |
| 1989–1994 | Tates Locke (Ohio Wesleyan) | 50 | 88 | .411 |
| 1912–1917 | Alfred F. Westphal (Amherst) | 47 | 23 | .671 |
| 1946–1948 | John Wooden (Purdue) | 44 | 15 | .746 |
| 2007–2010 | Kevin McKenna (Creighton) | 43 | 52 | .453 |
| 1982–1985 | Dave Schellhase (Purdue) | 37 | 48 | .435 |
| 2024– | Matthew Graves (Butler) | 14 | 18 | .438 |
| 31 seasons | 16 other coaches | 171 | 280 | .380 |
| 1896–Present | PROGRAM TOTALs | 1,610 | 1,370 | .540 |
Leaders in BOLD
* A bronze statue of Coach John Wooden by sculptor Blair Buswell was dedicated when the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion opened on October 26, 2012, a men's basketball was played at the UCLA arena between Indiana State and UCLA on November 9, 2012. The game honored Wooden's coaching career at both schools.

## Coach of the Year
### National (2)

* Bill Hodges – 1979 AP, UPI, The Sporting News.
* Josh Schertz - 2024 Hugh Durham Award

### Conference (9)

* Josh Schertz - 2024 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches
* Kevin McKenna – 2010 Missouri Valley Conference: CollegeInsider.com
* Royce Waltman – 2000 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches
* Tates Locke – 1991 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches
* Bill Hodges – 1979 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches
* Duane Klueh – 1959, 1963, 1966, 1967 Indiana Collegiate Conference: League Media & Coaches

## Sycamores in the professional leagues
### Draft history

* 18 Indiana State players have been drafted by the BAA, NBA, ABL, ABA and NDBL. Jerry Newsom was drafted by the Indiana Pacers of the original ABA in the 1968 ABA draft. Ray Goddard was drafted by the Kansas City Steers in the 1962 ABL draft
BAA | NBA Regular Draft
| Year | Round | Pick | Overall | Player | Team |
| 2022 | 1 | 19 | 19 | Jake LaRavia | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 1983 | 3 | 5 | 52 | Winfred King | Boston Celtics |
| 1980 | 1 | 23 | 23 | Carl Nicks | Denver Nuggets |
| 1980 | 6 | 17 | 132 | Alex Gilbert | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1978 | 1 | 6 | 6 | Larry Bird | Boston Celtics |
| 1978 | 6 | 9 | 129 | Harry Morgan | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1968 | 6 | 10 | 74 | Jerry Newsom | Boston Celtics |
| 1968 | 19 | 2 | 209 | Rich Mason | Chicago Bulls |
| 1967 | 7 | 5 | 72 | Butch Wade | New York Knicks |
| 1953 | 6 | – | 50 | Dick Atha | New York Knicks |
| 1950 | 4 | 4 | 40 | Len Rzeszewski | Fort Wayne Pistons |
| 1949 | 7 | 1 | 54 | Duane Klueh | Boston Celtics |
| 1949 | 8 | 4 | 61 | Bob Royer | Providence Steam Rollers |
NBDL Draft
| Year | Round | Pick | Overall | Player | Team |
| 2013 | 7 | 13 | 113 | Dwayne Lathan | Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
| 2011 | 2 | 2 | 18 | Jake Kelly | Texas Legends |
| 2011 | 7 | 15 | 110 | Harry Marshall | Canton Charge |
ABA Draft
| Year | Round | Pick | Overall | Player | Team |
| 1968 | 6th - 10th | unk | 55th or lower | Jerry Newsom | Indiana Pacers |
ABL Draft
| Year | Round | Pick | Overall | Player | Team |
| 1962 | 11th | unk | unk | Ray Goddard | Kansas City Steers |

### Sycamores in the NBA

Fifteen former Sycamores have played in the NBA and its predecessors, the (NBL, the BAA), and the ABA. They are:
* Dick Atha: 1955–56 – New York Knicks; 1957–1958 – Detroit Pistons
* Ken Bannister: 1984–1986 – New York Knicks; 1987–1989 – Los Angeles Clippers
* Larry Bird: 1979–1992 – Boston Celtics
* George Chestnut: 1933–1937 – Indianapolis Kautskys
* Doyle Cofer: 1948-49 - Detroit Vagabond Kings
* Rick Darnell: 1975–1976 – Virginia Squires
* John Hazen: 1948–1949 – Boston Celtics
* Harold Johnson: 1946–1947 – Detroit Falcons
* Duane Klueh: 1949–1950 – Denver Nuggets; 1950–1951 – Fort Wayne Pistons
* Jake LaRavia: 2022–present - Memphis Grizzlies
* John Miklozek: 1936–1937 – Indianapolis Kautskys
* Carl Nicks: 1980–1982 – Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz; 1982–1983 – Cleveland Cavaliers
* George Pearcy: 1946–1947 – Detroit Falcons
* Henry Pearcy: 1946–1947 – Detroit Falcons
* Bob Royer: 1949–1950 – Denver Nuggets

#### NBA, ABA, BAA, NBL, Champions

* Roy "Goose" Burris (1933) Akron Firestone Non-Skids
* Larry Bird: (1981, 1984, 1986) Boston Celtics

### Sycamores in other professional leagues

45+ Indiana State players have played in foreign leagues; DeCarsta Webster and Brad Miley both won titles in Iceland, David Moss, Jayson Wells, and Djibril Kante have each won multiple championships in European and South American leagues
* Jerod Adler – BBC Nyon – Basket-club Boncourt – Switzerland League A
* Manny Arop – Norrköping Dolphins – Sweden – Basketligan; Webmoebel Baskets – Germany – ProA; Niagara River Lions - National Basketball League of Canada
* Keenan Barlow – Dublin – Ireland – Premier League (Ireland)
* Jordan Barnes – Paderborn Baskets - Germany ProA (2021–2022); Giessen 46ers - Germany Bundesliga (2022-2023); Coosur Real Betis - Spain Liga ACB (2023–24); Petkim Spor - T-TBL (2024-2025)
* Xavier Bledson - Tampereen Pyrintö - Korisliiga (Finland Top League); BK Iskra Svit - Extraliga (2024-25)
* Kelyn Block – Lausanne MB – Switzerland League A; Nanterre 92, UJAP Quimper 29 - France; Premijer liga BiH
* Devonte Brown - Paderborn Baskets - Germany ProA (2017–18); OKK Sloboda Tuzla - Bosnia-Herzegovina Premijer liga BiH (2016–17)
* Aaron Carter – Grand Rapids Danger ABA
* Joshua Crawford - Ehime (2016–17), Kumamoto Volters (2015-16) Japan - B.League; MBK Baník Handlová (2014–15) Extraliga; BC Nevėžis LKL (2014–15); BC Beroe (2013–14), BC Balkan (2011–12) NBL
* Jim Cruse – Diadolle Asptt Dijon – France N3
* Amani Daanish – Segamat (2009), Mississauga Power - Canada (2012–13), Island Storm - Canada (2013–14), Saint John Riptide - Canada (2013–14) Salon Vilpas Vikings – Finland – 1st Division
* Trenton Gibson - Feyenoord Basketball - Belgium - (2023–24), Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen - Belgium - (2024–25)
* Alex Gilbert - Played in the Úrvalsdeild karla and the Icelandic Division I in Iceland with Njarðvík (Iceland) and Grindavík
* Nate Green – Pallalcesto Amatori Udine (2007–08), Olimpia Milano (2006–07), Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna (2005–06), S.S. Felice Scandone (2003–05) – Italy Lega Basket Serie A; Columbus Riverdragons (2002–03), North Charleston Lowgators (2001–02) – USA – NBDL; Canberra Cannons Australia – National Basketball League (Australia) (2000–01)
* Lamar Grimes – Marinos de Bolivar BPC, BK Iskra Svit Extraliga; Al Jaysh Army SC – Qatar – D1
* Steve Hart - Fayetteville Patriots - (2001–02) – USA – NBDL
* Cam Henry - Skyliners Frankfurt - ProA Germany - (2023–24), VfL Kirchheim Knights - ProA Germany - (2024–25)
* Djibril Kante – Malvin Montevideo – Uruguay – LUB; Atenas Córdoba – Argentina – LigaA
* Jake Kelly – Texas Legends (2011–12) PAOK – Greece – Greek Basket League;
* Tyreke Key - Leuven Bears - Belgium - (2023–24), Raptors 905 - G League (2024-2025)
* Jake Kitchell – Slavia TU Košice – Slovakia – SBL
* Winfred King - Nuova Pallacanestro Gorizia (Italy), CB Breogán, CB Collado Villalba (Spain), APU Udine, Pallacanestro Firenze (Italy), Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. (Israel)
* Dwayne Lathan – BC Sokhumi Superliga (2017) Rio Grande Valley Vipers – USA NBDL (2013–present); Osaka Evessa – Japan – bj league (2012–13)
* Cade McKnight - Iraurgi SB - Spanish LEB - Spain - (2023–24)
* Brad Miley – With Valur (1980–1981) and Keflavík (1982–1983) in Iceland and with Geelong Supercats in Australia 1982
* Courvoisier-McCauley - Résidence Walferdange (2023–24)
* Todd McCoy – Delaware Destroyers- USA EBA and NPBL
* Gabriel Moore – ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen, Soba Dragons Rhoendorf – Germany – ProB
* Steve McWhorter - Den Bosch Basketball DBL
* David Moss – Basket Brescia Leonessa (2015-pres), EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (2013–2015), Montepaschi Siena – Italy – SerieA (2010–2013)
* Jake Odum – Banvit B.K. Turkey (2017–18); s.Oliver Würzburg (2016-2017); Medi Bayreuth (2015–2016); PAOK – Greece – GBL (2014–2015)
* Larry Sample - New York Nationals – (1972–76) – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters
* Khristian Smith - SLUNETA Ústí nad Labem, NBL
* Paul Stroud – Washington Generals/New York Nationals – (1972–75) – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters
* Matt Renn – Valence Condom Castera RGB – France – N2
* Emondre Rickman - Surrey Scorchers - United Kingdom (2020–21); S.C._Lusitânia - Portugal (2019–20); Ovarense Basquetebol P-LPB (2024-2025)
* Kailex Stephens - Feniks 2010 - Macedonian Super League - Macedonia (2023–24)
* Devin Thomas - BMS Herlev Wolfpack - Denmark (2020–21)
* Myles Walker - Oliveirense - Portugal LPB
* DeCarsta Webster – 20-year career in Iceland in the Úrvalsdeild karla and the Icelandic Division I (1979–1999)
* Jayson Wells – 13-yr career in foreign leagues; some teams include: Poltava-Basket Poltava – Ukraine – Superleague; Maccabi Rishon - Israel Premier League
* Christian Williams - Telstar Hesperange of the Total League
* Trent Williams - United Basketball - BNXT League (2024-2025)
* Max Woolsey Boston Whirlwinds (1950–52) – United States – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters
* Trent Wurtz – Musel Pikes – Luxembourg – Total League, Christchurch Cougars – New Zealand – NBL,

## Basketball Hall(s) of Fame

Hall of Fame Sycamores
Thirty-two former Sycamores players and coaches have been inducted into various Halls of Fame; they are:

### Basketball Hall of Fame (3)

* John Wooden Player, 1961; Coach, 1973—The first person to be inducted as Coach & Player.
* Larry Bird Player, 1998
* Mel Daniels Player, 2012 (Assistant Coach at Indiana State, 1976–1980)

### National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2)

* John Wooden – 2006 (The Inaugural Class)
* Larry Bird – 2009

### NAIA Hall of Fame (4)

* Duane Klueh – 1955
* Clemens 'Lenny' Rzewszewski – 1956
* John Longfellow – 1960
* John Wooden – 2009

### National Small College Basketball Hall of Fame (2)

* Clarence Walker - 2018
* John Wooden - 2018

### Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame (4)

* Larry Bird – 1997
* Duane Klueh – 2006
* John Wooden – 2009
* Bob King – 2014
In addition to the Conference Hall of Fame; the MVC selected an All-Centennial Team in honor of the Conference's 100th Anniversary; the Sycamores had three players named to that team; Larry Bird, Carl Nicks and John Sherman Williams.

### Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (40)

Source:
| John R. Wooden – 1962 Glenn M. Curtis – 1964 David Glascock – 1966 John Longfellow – 1967 Howard Sharpe – 1971 Johnnie Baratto – 1972 Lester "Les" Reynolds – 1972 Jesse Wood – 1973 Charles Fouty – 1980 Ward Brown – 1981 Dick Atha – 1988 | Duane Klueh – 1988 Arley Andrews – 1989 Stanley Shimala – 1990 Jim Powers – 1993 Tom Pitts – 1995 Jerry Newsom – 1997 David Nicholson – 1999 Larry Bird – 2000 Danny Bush – 2000 Jerry Baker – 2000 Clemens "Lenny" Rzeszewski – 2001 | George Pillow – 2002 Keith Doughety – 2004 Gordon B. Stauffer – 2004 G. Michael Jones – 2005 Steve Hollenbeck – 2006 Pete Pritchett – 2007 Dr. Michael C. Copper – 2010 John Robbins – 2011 J.R. Holmes – 2012 Brad Miley – 2016 Butch Wade – 2016 | Al Tucker - 2017 Steve Brett - 2018 Dan Dimich - 2019 John Grimes - 2019 Jerry Hoover - 2019 Clarence Walker - 2022 John Sherman Williams - 2022 |

### Indiana State University Hall of Fame (42)

Individuals
| David Glascock – 1982 Duane Klueh – 1982 Wally Marks – 1982 Clemens "Lenny" Rzeszewski – 1982 Paul Selge – 1982 Paul Wolf – 1982 Dick Atha – 1984 John L. Longfellow – 1984 Jerry Newsom – 1984 Dr. Raymond Sparks – 1984 Butch Wade – 1984 | Fred Wampler – 1984 John Wooden – 1984 John Baratto – 1986 Jim Carr – 1986 Sam Richardson – 1986 Dr. John Miklozek – 1986 Glenn M. Curtis – 1998 Howard Sharpe, – 1998 Birch E. Bayh, Sr. – 1998 Larry Bird – 1999 Bob King – 1999 | George Pillow – 2003 Ward Brown – 2004 Ray Goddard – 2005 Paul "Billy" Williams – 2005 Roy "Goose" Burris – 2006 Carl Nicks – 2007 George Chestnut – 2008 John Sherman Williams – 2008 Bob Barker – 2010 Nate Green – 2012 Michael Menser – 2012 | Matt Renn – 2012 Rick Williams – 2016 Jim Cruse - 2017 Bill Hodges - 2019 Steve Newton - 2019 Jim Waugh - 2020 Dan Dimich - 2021 Don McDonald - 2021 Wally Webb - 2021 |
Teams
* 1978–79 Men's Basketball Team (Inducted 1999) Larry Bird, Tom Crowder, Eric Curry, Alex Gilbert, Bob Heaton, Brad Miley, Carl Nicks, Rod McNelly, Rich Nemcek, Steve Reed, Bob Ritter, Leroy Staley, Scott Turner. Trainers: Bob Behnke, Rick Shaw. Head Coach: Bill Hodges. Assistant Coaches: Mel Daniels, Terry Thimlar. Graduate Assistant Coach: Danny King.
* 1949–50 Men's Basketball Team (Inducted 2000) Jim Berger, Richard Campbell, Dan Dimich, Bob Gilbert, Jim Hans, Buren Hooper, Max Hungerford, Bill Jagodzinski, Jerry Kunkel, Gene Lambdin, Ed Longfellow, Don McDonald, Dick Pattengale, Jim Powers, Jack Reece, Len Rzeszewski, John Scott, Clarence Walker. Managers: Stan Jacobs, John Sweet. Head Coach: John Longfellow. Assistant Coach: Max Andress.
* 1967–68 Men's Basketball Team (Inducted 2005) Daniel Chitwood, Michael Cooper, Ken Haas, Fred Hardman, Rodney Hervey, Steven Hollenbeck, Howard Humes, John McIntire, Richard Mason, Jerry Newsom, Gerald Novak, Mike Phillips, James Waldrip, Don Weirlich, Thomas Zellers. Head Coach: Gordon Stauffer. Assistant Coach: Melvin Garland.

### Iowa High School Athletic Association Basketball Hall of Fame

* Greg Lansing

## In popular culture

During the Quantum Leap episode, The Leap Home: Part 1 – November 25, 1969 (1990); the father of lead character Dr. Samuel Beckett (Scott Bakula) remarks that while "Sam will likely end up at Harvard, I know he's still hoping for a basketball scholarship from Indiana State."