NBA Summer League Recap: A look at the former IU basketball players

The NBA Summer League has officially wrapped up and during the few weeks of action, there were multiple former Hoosiers that were in action representing IU basketball.

In total, there were five former IU basketball players that had a chance to play with NBA teams as most of them try to get full time contracts. All five players come from the Mike Woodson era IU basketball with two of them actually being drafted in the first round. The other three were undrafted free agents.

Let us take a look at the final numbers from the Hoosiers in the pros.

Jalen Hood-Schifino (Philadelphia 76ers)

Year Drafted: 2023 (Los Angeles Lakers)

NBA 2K26 NBA Summer League (Vegas) Stats: (2 Games) Did not score, averaged just 14.3 minutes and over 2.0 turnovers per game.

California Classic Stats: Philadelphia 76ers DNP.

Salt Lake City Summer League Stats: (3 games) 10.0 points, 5.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds. Shot 46.2 percent from the field, 25.0 percent from three.

Final Word: The former Big Ten Freshman of the Year will be running with his his third NBA team in his young professional career having played for the Lakers and was on the roster for the Utah Jazz before being waved. Hood-Schifino signed with the 76ers late last season and was able to get an opportunity to play for them in the latter part of the season showing some positive signs during his time on the floor. It will be interesting to see if he can keep a firm spot on the 76ers roster or if he bounces around again.

Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat)

Year Drafted: 2024 (Miami Heat)

NBA 2K26 Summer League (Vegas) Stats: (3 games) 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks. Shot 52.6 percent from the field, 62.5 percent from three.

California Classic Stats: (2 games) 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks. Shot 37.5 percent from the field, only 12.5 percent from three.

Salt Lake City Summer League Stats: Miami Heat DNP

Final Word: Kel’el Ware is the only former Hoosier that has a solid spot on a NBA roster as he is one of the young pieces that the Miami Heat will be looking to build around. After having a strong rookie season for the Heat, Ware earned Second Team NBA All-Rookie honors and was a part of the starting front court the last half of the season. Ware will continue to look to progress as his NBA career pushes forward.

See Also: ‘That’s what we’ve been waiting for’: A ‘motivated’ Kel’el Ware responds in big way following public call-out by Erik Spoelstra

Miller Kopp (Detroit Pistons)

Year Drafted: Undrafted

NBA 2K26 Summer League (Vegas) Stats: (4 games) 3.5 points, shot 45.5 percent from floor, 40.0 percent from three.

California Classic Stats: Detroit Pistons DNP

Salt Lake City Summer League Stats: Detroit Pistons DNP

Final Word: Kopp has been mostly tied to the Oklahoma City Thunder G-League team after his time with IU basketball came to an end but got a chance to run with the Detroit Pistons during the Vegas summer league. For his spot on the team, he had an ok outing for them but by the way things look, he will likely be once again put in the G-League this upcoming season. Time will tell what team he is on or if he even tries an overseas run.

Oumar Ballo (Miami Heat)

Year Drafted: Undrafted

NBA 2K26 Summer League (Vegas) Stats: (2 games) 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, shot 75.0 percent form the floor.

California Classic Stats: (1 game) 5 points, 1 rebound.

Salt Lake City Summer League Stats: Miami Heat DNP

Final Word: Ballo was the second former IU basketball center that was a part of the Miami Heat Summer League roster however, he was very low on the depth chart behind Kel’el Ware and other front court players. Ballo played one season at Indiana before going undrafted in this year’s draft. He will likely be in the G-League but his best option may be to go overseas where he can earn more money.

Tamar Bates (Denver Nuggets)

Year Drafted: Undrafted, signed a two-way deal

NBA 2K26 Summer League (Vegas) Stats: (5 games) 11.4 points, 2.6 rebound, 1.8 assists. Shot 40.4 percent from field, 19.0 percent from three.

California Classic Stats: Denver Nuggets DNP

Salt Lake City Summer League Stats: Denver Nuggets DNP

Final Word: Bates played his first two season of college football basketball for Indiana before transferring to Missouri to finish out his career. He went undrafted but did sign a two-way contract with the Nuggets so he will split time between them and Nuggets G-League team. Bates has a chance to carve out a firm role in the NBA if the opportunity comes.

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