6-Banner Sunday: Kel’el Ware goes to Miami with 15th pick in 2024 NBA draft
Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.
Many weeks in the offseason are quiet regarding Indiana basketball news. This, however, was one of the rare times in the summer when it went the opposite way and there was one headline after another. Whether it be the drafting of Kel’el Ware, OG Anunoby’s free agent deal, a slight change to women’s basketball’s ticket distribution, or a schedule announcement, there was no shortage of attention-grabbing stories.
Besides this, the TBT draw, some recruiting and transfer updates, and weekly shows round out the basketball portion of 6-Banner. As usual, we will conclude with a look at other Hoosiers sports, led by the swimming qualifications finishing up in Indianapolis for the Paris Olympics.
Here is what’s in this week’s edition:
• Kel’el Ware picked 15th, OG Anunoby agrees to Knicks deal
• Women’s basketball ticketing update
• Indiana to play Sam Houston State in non-conference
• TBT draw announced, recruiting updates
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup
IU men’s basketball will play several games this upcoming season on Peacock and the women will play a few as well, making the streaming service essential for IU basketball fans. Sign up for Peacock using Inside the Hall’s link to help support the site and also enjoy Big Ten hoops all season long! (The link is an Inside the Hall affiliate link, so a commission will be paid to ITH if you click and subscribe to Peacock.)
Banner #1 – Kel’el Ware picked 15th, OG Anunoby agrees to Knicks deal
The one major contributor for IU, who departed the team after 2023-2024, is star center Kel’el Ware. This is because Ware played himself into a relatively high NBA draft pick after a phenomenal season in Bloomington. Picks were announced this week and pre-draft projections turned out slightly pessimistic. This is because Ware was taken with the first pick outside the lottery at No. 15 by the Miami Heat. Because of this, post-draft grades were somewhat mixed, although most gave roughly a “B” for the selection.
Ware became the 80th player who once donned the Cream and Crimson to hear their name called on draft night. The 81st and 82nd could be current Indiana players Kanaan Carlyle and Mackenzie Mgbako, who are projected to be taken in the 2025 draft.
As Ware and others try to break into the league, O.G. Anunoby is already entrenched. As a result of his strong play, Anunoby got the richest deal ever for a former Hoosier and will stay with the New York Knicks. The contract is for five years and $212 million and will add to his $66 million in career earnings already.
Also, long-time veteran Eric Gordon could be an attractive option off the bench somewhere despite being 35 years old. He opted out of his deal with the Phoenix Suns to become a free agent after $179 million earned in his career. As for other former Indiana players, Trayce Jackson-Davis will be part of the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team after a phenomenal rookie season with the Golden State Warriors.
Banner #2 – Women’s basketball ticketing update
As women’s basketball at IU continues to win at an elite level, ticket demand has increased every season. In 2023-2024, the team averaged over 10,000 fans per game with some assigned seats in parts of the main level (rows 1-31 of east and west main). Now, for 2024-2025, that number of reserved seats will grow to all 46 rows of the main level. This is similar to how it has been done for the NCAA tournament games in Assembly Hall in 2023 and 2024. Whether all 46 rows of reserved seats will sell out via season tickets is unclear. However, season packages remain available in both the east and west main with the assigned seats as well as GA tickets on the court level and in the balcony.
The reason for the high level of winning here is Indiana coach Teri Moren, who has been in charge of the program for a decade now. Moren has used her time this summer to coach the USA Women’s Basketball Team at FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup. Her squad was dominant at this event winning the gold medal with lopsided scores each time.
Banner #3 – Indiana to play Sam Houston State in non-conference
A few games on the IU schedule had already been revealed previously. This includes a trip to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis over Thanksgiving and early season home contests with Chattanooga, Eastern Illinois and South Carolina.
Now it has been reported that the Hoosiers will host Sam Houston State State as well. The Bearkats come to Bloomington for a non-conference showdown after being ranked a solid No. 142 in KenPom last season.
Banner #4 – TBT draw announced, recruiting updates
The TBT drawing took place last week. As a result, it is now known that the IU team will face Valparaiso’s alum team. This showdown will take place on July 19 at 8 p.m. ET at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis with tickets available here.
When it comes to recruiting, another Hoosier target in Malachi Moreno has included Indiana in the final eight schools he is considering. Also, going forward, transfers would have 30 days instead of 45 to enter the portal following the season under a new proposal. Lastly, incoming transfer Luke Goode discussed summer workouts in an interview and Inside the Hall had a new mailbag of reader questions.
Banner #5 – Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
Inside the Hall and The Back Home Network had several new shows this week. ITH’s Podcast on the Brink had Stephen Bardo on to discuss Indiana’s offseason.
Austin Render, the primary radio announcer for baseball and women’s basketball at IU has started his own show on BHN called The Dribble Drive. The second episode was released last Monday. Also, Xs and Joes had a new show.
Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup
• Multiple athletes with IU connections finished competing at the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Indianapolis with several more qualifying for the squad in Paris. The program also had four transfers added to the squad for 2024-2025.
• Track and field also had nine Hoosiers attempting to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympics although none made it.
• Football is hosting a Lift For Life event.
• Two volleyball players made their country’s national team.
• A field hockey athlete received academic honors.
• 95 Hoosier athletes were named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.
Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.
Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor
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