The State of Indiana’s Top 20 Basketball players of all time

Indiana doesn’t merely love basketball — it produces basketball royalty. The state’s gyms, driveways, gravel courts, and packed high school fieldhouses have long served as incubators for players who understood the game not as spectacle, but as craft. This list honors the 20 greatest basketball players ever raised in Indiana, regardless of where they played college or professional ball. These are not “best Hoosiers” — they are Indiana-born or Indiana-raised legends whose influence stretched far beyond state lines.

From Division II champions to NBA icons, this list reflects dominance, legacy, skill, and impact.

20. Larry Humes (Evansville)

Larry Humes remains one of the most dominant scorers ever produced in Indiana, even if his legacy is too often overlooked outside the Midwest. Playing for the Evansville Purple Aces, Humes was the engine behind back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships in 1964 and 1965, an achievement that places him among the most accomplished collegiate players in state history.

Humes finished his career with 2,236 points, still the all-time scoring record at Evansville, and won three Indiana Collegiate Conference MVP awards. At a time when pace was slower and defenses were rugged, Humes’ ability to score efficiently from anywhere on the floor separated him from his peers. He combined physical strength with a polished offensive game, thriving without the benefit of a three-point line.

While he never reached NBA superstardom, Humes’ impact on Indiana basketball culture is undeniable. His dominance helped validate Division II basketball as a legitimate proving ground and remains a benchmark for scoring excellence in the state.

The Golden Era of University of Evansville Basketball

19. Bryce Drew (Valparaiso)

Bryce Drew’s place in basketball history was secured in a single moment — “The Shot” — but his career deserves far more recognition than one iconic highlight. Raised in Indiana and molded by his father Homer Drew at Valparaiso, Bryce embodied the state’s basketball ethos: intelligence, toughness, and poise under pressure.

In the 1998 NCAA Tournament, Drew hit a buzzer-beating three to upset Ole Miss as a 13-seed, creating one of the most replayed moments in March Madness history. But that shot only capped a remarkable career. Drew finished with 2,142 points, 626 assists, and 380 rebounds, becoming Valpo’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most clutch guards Indiana has ever produced.

He shot over 40% from three multiple seasons and was a master of late-game execution. Drew’s career symbolizes Indiana basketball’s belief that preparation and fundamentals can conquer raw athleticism.

Bryce Drew buzzer beater: Valpo vs. Ole Miss (1998)

18. Louie Dampier (South Bend)

Louie Dampier is one of the most important Indiana-raised players in professional basketball history. Born in Indiana and starring at Kentucky, Dampier became a two-time All-American and a key contributor to the Wildcats’ run to the 1966 NCAA Championship Game.

While his college career was excellent, Dampier’s true legacy was forged in the ABA, where he became a defining figure. With the Kentucky Colonels, he helped lead the franchise to the 1975 ABA championship and retired as one of the league’s all-time leaders in scoring and three-point shooting.

Dampier’s game translated seamlessly across eras: quick release, elite conditioning, and deep shooting range long before the three-point shot became mainstream. For Indiana, Dampier represents the bridge between old-school fundamentals and modern perimeter play.

Louie Dampier Career Highlights

17. Terry Dischinger (Purdue)

Terry Dischinger was one of the most complete college players ever produced by Indiana. At Purdue, he averaged 28.3 points and 13.7 rebounds per game, an extraordinary combination of scoring and physical dominance that earned him two Consensus First-Team All-America selections.

Dischinger was unstoppable in the low post, deadly from mid-range, and relentless on the glass. He left West Lafayette holding nearly every major scoring record at the time and remains one of Purdue’s most celebrated legends.

After college, he became the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1963, proving his game translated beyond the college level. Dischinger’s combination of power and finesse defined what a modern forward could be, and his Indiana roots are reflected in his fundamentally sound, no-nonsense approach.

Terry Dischinger 13pts 10reb (Pistons at Bucks, 10.18.69 Full Highlights)

16. Luke Harangody (Notre Dame)

Luke Harangody represents Indiana toughness in its purest form. Raised in Schererville, Harangody became one of the most productive players in Notre Dame history and the school’s first three-time All-American in over 50 years.

He averaged 20.4 points and 10.6 rebounds in 2007–08 and was named Big East Player of the Year. By the time he graduated, Harangody ranked second all-time at Notre Dame in both points (2,476) and rebounds (1,222) — elite company at a major program.

Harangody wasn’t flashy, but he was relentless. His footwork, rebounding instincts, and willingness to absorb contact made him a nightmare matchup. His career is a testament to Indiana basketball values: effort, physicality, and production.

luke harangody notre dame

15. Ron Bonham (Cincinnati)

Ron Bonham was a scoring machine whose prime coincided with Cincinnati’s rise to national prominence. Raised in Indiana, Bonham played a crucial role on the 1962 national championship team, then emerged as one of the best scorers in the country.

He earned first-team All-America honors as a junior and finished his career with 1,666 points, shooting an incredible 89% from the free-throw line. Bonham’s offensive versatility and fearless scoring made him one of the most dangerous guards of his era.

While his professional career was cut short, Bonham’s collegiate impact remains substantial. He exemplified the Indiana guard archetype: confident, technically sound, and lethal in big moments.

1960 IHSAA State Championship: East Chicago Washington 75, Muncie Central 59

14. Dave Schellhase (Purdue)

Dave Schellhase was one of the most prolific scorers in Purdue history. A three-time team MVP and three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, Schellhase reached his peak as a senior, averaging 32.5 points per game — a mark nearly unheard of in the Big Ten.

His 57-point game remains second only to Rick Mount in Purdue history. Schellhase had a complete offensive arsenal: post scoring, mid-range shooting, and the ability to create his own shot at any time.

Despite playing in an era with no three-point line, his scoring output remains staggering. Schellhase represents Indiana’s tradition of fearless volume scorers who carried teams through sheer production.

The Greatest Purdue Basketball Players Of All Time ✌

13. Kyle Macy (Purdue / Kentucky)

Kyle Macy’s basketball journey perfectly reflects Indiana’s reach beyond state borders. After beginning his career at Purdue, Macy transferred to Kentucky, where he became a three-time All-American and a central figure on the 1978 national championship team.

Macy was a cerebral point guard with elite shooting touch and unshakeable composure. He later enjoyed a lengthy NBA career, further validating his skill set. Raised in Indiana, Macy’s fundamentals, leadership, and shooting efficiency bore the hallmarks of Hoosier basketball culture.

He wasn’t the most athletic guard of his era — but he was often the smartest player on the floor.

WildcatWorld.com – Highlights from Kentucky’s 1978 NCAA National Championship game

12. Don Schlundt (Indiana)

Don Schlundt helped define Indiana University basketball in the early 1950s. One of the first freshmen allowed to play varsity basketball under new NCAA rules, Schlundt immediately became a star.

He led IU to the 1953 national championship and earned three All-America selections, finishing his career with 2,192 points — an extraordinary total in the pre-shot-clock era. Schlundt was a versatile scorer who thrived inside and out, anchoring one of the most successful stretches in IU history.

His impact paved the way for future Hoosier big men and cemented his legacy as one of Indiana’s foundational stars.

Indiana Athletics Celebrates the 1953 NCAA Champions

11. Steve Alford (Indiana)

Steve Alford remains one of the most accomplished guards ever raised in Indiana. At Indiana University, he scored 2,438 points and led the Hoosiers to the 1987 national championship, scoring 23 points in the title game against Syracuse.

Alford was a precision shooter, fierce competitor, and emotional leader under Bob Knight. A four-time team MVP, he became synonymous with discipline, execution, and clutch shooting.

Raised in Indiana basketball culture, Alford’s game reflected countless hours of repetition and situational mastery. His place among the state’s greatest is secure.

Steve Alford- 1987 NCAA Tourney Scoring Highlights

10. Alan Henderson (Indiana University)

Alan Henderson was one of the most complete and underappreciated stars in Indiana University history. Raised in Indianapolis, Henderson arrived in Bloomington as a McDonald’s All-American and delivered four years of consistent, high-level production in an era when the Big Ten was brutally physical. What separated Henderson was not flash, but reliability — he showed up every night and impacted the game on both ends of the floor.

Henderson led Indiana in rebounding all four seasons, a rare achievement at a program loaded with frontcourt talent. He finished his career with 1,979 points, 1,091 rebounds, 213 blocks, and 148 steals, placing him among IU’s all-time leaders across multiple statistical categories. He was a legitimate two-way force, capable of scoring in the post, hitting mid-range jumpers, and anchoring the defense.

He played a major role on Indiana teams that consistently reached the NCAA Tournament, including the 2002 squad that advanced to the National Championship Game. Henderson embodied Indiana basketball fundamentals — toughness, positioning, and defensive accountability — and remains one of the most productive big men ever raised in the state.

Ex-Hoosiers and NBA star Alan Henderson feels blessed

9. Scott Skiles (Plymouth)

Scott Skiles’ legend in Indiana was cemented before he ever played a college game. In the 1982 Indiana high school state championship, Skiles led Plymouth to a dramatic double-overtime victory over Gary Roosevelt, producing one of the greatest performances in tournament history. That game alone made him a Hoosier icon.

Skiles went on to star at Michigan State, where he was a four-year contributor and one of the Big Ten’s most intelligent floor generals. Though undersized, his court vision, toughness, and leadership translated seamlessly to the NBA, where he enjoyed a long career and famously set the NBA single-game assists record with 30 — a mark that still stands.

Raised in Indiana’s pressure-cooker basketball environment, Skiles played with a coach-on-the-floor mentality. He later transitioned into a successful NBA coaching career, further proving his basketball intellect. Few Indiana-born guards have ever controlled the game mentally the way Skiles did, making him one of the state’s greatest point guards.

Scott Skiles’ 30 Assists

8. Kent Benson (Indiana University)

Kent Benson will forever be etched into Indiana basketball lore as the anchor of the 1976 undefeated national championship team, the last men’s team to complete a perfect season. Raised in Indiana, Benson was the emotional and physical backbone of Bob Knight’s most disciplined squad.

In the 1976 National Championship Game, Benson scored 25 points and earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors, delivering one of the greatest title-game performances in NCAA history. He finished his IU career with 1,740 points and 1,031 rebounds, ranking among the program’s all-time leaders in both categories.

Benson’s game was built on fundamentals: footwork, timing, and physicality. He didn’t overwhelm opponents with athleticism — he broke them down with positioning and toughness. His infamous run-in with UCLA’s Ralph Sampson in the NBA only added to his legend, reinforcing the idea that Indiana players never backed down.

Undefeated with Kent Benson

7. Calbert Cheaney (Indiana University)

Calbert Cheaney is one of the most decorated players in Big Ten history and the conference’s all-time leading scorer. Raised in Evansville, Cheaney developed into a lethal wing scorer under Bob Knight, blending smooth shooting mechanics with physical strength.

He was a three-time All-American, 1993 National Player of the Year, and led Indiana to the 1992 Final Four. Cheaney could score at all three levels — post-ups, mid-range pull-ups, and spot-up jumpers — and he did so against elite competition night after night.

Cheaney’s consistency separated him from peers. He wasn’t streaky; he was inevitable. His scoring totals came without sacrificing defense or team structure, making him the ideal Knight-era player. Among Indiana-raised wings, Cheaney stands as one of the most complete and accomplished ever.

Indiana vs Northwestern – 3/4/1993 – Calbert Cheaney Breaks Both Records

6. Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson (Purdue)

Few Indiana-born players have ever dominated college basketball the way Glenn Robinson did. Raised in Gary, Robinson arrived at Purdue with massive expectations — and exceeded them in historic fashion.

In just two seasons, Robinson scored 1,706 points, grabbed 602 rebounds, and won both the Wooden Award and Naismith Award as the nation’s best player. He led Purdue to the 1994 Elite Eight, carrying the Boilermakers almost single-handedly at times.

Robinson’s blend of size, strength, and skill was overwhelming. At 6’7” with guard-like ability, he could score from anywhere and was nearly impossible to guard one-on-one. His impact was so immediate and decisive that his Purdue career remains one of the most efficient superstar runs in NCAA history.

Glenn Robinson 1994 Purdue Highlights

5. Rick Mount (Purdue)

Rick Mount was Indiana basketball’s first true national phenom. Raised in Lebanon, Mount became the first high school athlete ever featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, a testament to his shooting brilliance.

At Purdue, Mount scored 2,323 points, averaging 32.2 points per game — without a three-point line. His 61-point game against Iowa remains one of the greatest single-game performances in NCAA history.

Mount’s release was lightning quick, his range seemingly unlimited. He forced defenses to completely rethink coverage schemes long before spacing became a strategic emphasis. Mount didn’t just score — he redefined what shooters could do.

Big Ten Icons: Rick Mount 4

4. Clyde Lovellette (Terre Haute)

Clyde Lovellette changed basketball history. Raised in Indiana, Lovellette became the only player ever to lead the nation in scoring and win the NCAA championship in the same season (1952 with Kansas).

He earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors, then went on to win NBA championships with three different franchises — Minneapolis Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Hawks. Lovellette’s size and scoring touch revolutionized the center position.

He proved that big men could be primary scorers, not just rebounders. Lovellette’s influence shaped generations of post players and cemented his place as one of Indiana’s most historically significant exports.

Underrated Clyde Lovellette, The Bill Lambeer Of The 50’s/60’s

3. George McGinnis (Indianapolis)

George McGinnis was a force of nature. Raised in Indianapolis, McGinnis dominated Indiana University as a sophomore, averaging 29.9 points and 14.7 rebounds, becoming the first sophomore in Big Ten history to lead the league in both categories.

His professional career was equally dominant. McGinnis became an ABA MVP, NBA All-Star, and eventual Hall of Famer. His physical power, soft touch, and relentless rebounding made him one of the most feared forwards of his era.

McGinnis’ impact went beyond numbers — he embodied Indiana’s rugged basketball identity at its peak.

George McGinnis: Career Tribute Mixtape

2. Oscar Robertson (Indianapolis)

Oscar Robertson is one of the greatest basketball players who ever lived — regardless of birthplace. Raised in Indianapolis, Robertson redefined guard play at the University of Cincinnati.

He averaged 33.8 points per game, won three national scoring titles, earned three All-America selections, and left college with 14 NCAA records. In the NBA, he became the first player to average a triple-double and transformed how guards controlled games.

Robertson’s legacy extends beyond basketball — his leadership in player rights reshaped professional sports. Among Indiana-born players, only one stands above him.

Oscar Robertson Highlights ● Mr. Triple Double | 4K |

1. Larry Bird (French Lick)

Larry Bird is the greatest basketball player ever born in Indiana — and one of the greatest to ever touch the game.

At Indiana State, Bird carried an unknown program to the 1979 NCAA Championship Game, producing the highest-rated college basketball broadcast in history. He scored 2,850 points, grabbed 1,247 rebounds, and swept every major Player of the Year award.

Bird’s NBA career with the Boston Celtics cemented his immortality: 3 NBA titles, 3 MVPs, 2 Finals MVPs, and unmatched basketball IQ. Bird didn’t rely on athleticism — he relied on anticipation, shooting, and will.

No player better represents Indiana basketball’s soul.

Bryce Drew buzzer beater: Valpo vs. Ole Miss (1998)