Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball

The Sycamores have appeared in four NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 5–4.

The Sycamores have appeared in five National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 5–5.

The Sycamores have received two College Basketball Invitational (CBI) berths. Their combined record is 1–2.

The Sycamores appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). Their record is 0–1.

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.

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)^[5]

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 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.

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.

• 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"

• DeCarsta Webster – Icelandic national basketball team (1984–1987)^[6]
• Manny Arop – Canadian University National Team (2013), Canadian Junior National Team (2011), Canadian U-19 National Team (2009), Canadian U-18 National Team (2008)

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

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• Larry Bird – 1979

• 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

• 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

Four 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.

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.

^[13]

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

• Dan Bush 1972
• Steve Reed 1981

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

• 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.^[15]

The Sycamores have been led by 26 different Head Coaches through their history, the top 16 coaches; in terms of wins; are listed below.

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.

• Bill Hodges – 1979 AP, UPI, The Sporting News.
• Josh Schertz - 2024 Hugh Durham Award^[16]

• Josh Schertz - 2024 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches^[17]
• 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

• 18 Indiana State players have been drafted by the BAA, NBA, ABL, ABA and NDBL.^[18] Jerry Newsom was drafted by the Indiana Pacers of the original ABA in the 1968 ABA draft.^[19] Ray Goddard was drafted by the Kansas City Steers in the 1962 ABL draft^[20]

NBA Regular Draft

NBDL Draft

ABA Draft

ABL Draft

^[23]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^[24][25]
• 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

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

35+ 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); Coours Beal Betis - Spain Liga ACB (2023-24)
• Xavier Bledson - Tampereen Pyrintö - Korisliiga (Finland Top League)
• Kelyn Block – Lausanne MB – Switzerland League A; Nanterre 92, UJAP Quimper 29 - France; Premijer liga BiH^[26]
• 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)
• 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^[27]
• Cam Henry - Skyliners Frankfurt - ProA Germany - (2023-24)
• Djibril Kante – Malvin Montevideo – Uruguay – LUB; Atenas Córdoba – Argentina – LigaA
• Jake Kelly – Texas Legends (2011–12)^[28][29] PAOK – Greece – Greek Basket League;
• Tyreke Key - Leuven Bears - Belgium - (2023-24)
• 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 Sukhumi 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,^[30] 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^[31] – (1972–76) – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters
• Khristian Smith - SLUNETA Ústí nad Labem, NBL
• Paul Stroud^[32] – 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)
• 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^[33]
• Christian Williams - Telstar Hesperange of the Total League^[34]
• Max Woolsey^[35] Boston Whirlwinds (1950–52) – United States – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters
• Trent Wurtz – Musel Pikes – Luxembourg – Total League, Christchurch Cougars – New Zealand – NBL,

Hall of Fame Sycamores

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

• 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)

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

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

• Clarence Walker - 2018^[36]
• John Wooden - 2018^[37]

• 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.

Source:^[38]

Individuals

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.

• Greg Lansing

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."^[39]

• Official website