Did You Know These 15 First-Round NBA Draft Picks Were Born in Indiana?

Basketball Is a Way of Life in Indiana

Indiana doesn’t just love basketball - it lives it. So, it’s no surprise that the Hoosier state has produced some serious hardwood talent that’s caught the eyes of NBA scouts over the years. We’re talking about players who didn’t just make it to the league, but the ones who were drafted in the first round.

Indiana Scores a Spot in the Top 10

The folks at Vegas Insider wanted to see which state has produced the most first-round NBA picks. They got the answer by analysing all the first-rounders over the past 10 years. It should come as no surprise that Indiana is in the top ten. The Hoosier State is tied for 8^th place with a total of eight first-round draft picks during that time.

Seeing those results got me thinking - what other first-round NBA draft picks were born in Indiana?

How Many Hoosier Hoopers Have Been First-Rounders?

I was able to find 15 (although I know there have got to be more) Indiana-born athletes who heard their names called during the first round on draft night. Some of the players were high school legends, while some entered the league after standout collegiate careers.

ALSO READ: What Happened to Indiana Coach Bob Knight's Infamous Chair? 

These first-rounders come from small towns, big cities, and everywhere in between throughout the Hoosier State. Whether they were drafted in the top five or snuck in at the end of the first round, each one is part of a proud tradition that proves Indiana doesn’t just raise basketball players - it raises ballers.

Take a minute to look through our gallery celebrating these homegrown Hoosier hoop stars. You will definitely see some familiar faces – maybe even someone you saw light up the scoreboard at your local gym. You’ll see some fellas you didn’t know were from Indiana – and I’m sure you’ll notice an omission or two. All I can say is ���my bad.”