Peter Suder, a two‑time 4A state champion from Carmel High School, recently stepped onto the court for a pre‑draft workout with the Indiana Pacers, a moment he calls surreal.
A surreal pre‑draft workout
Having grown up watching the Pacers, the opportunity to showcase his skills for the team he supported as a child added an emotional layer to the intense evaluation process.
Suder’s high school career was marked by back‑to‑back state titles in 2019 and 2021, cementing his reputation as one of Indiana’s top prospects.
He began his college journey at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, where he honed his game before transferring to Miami (Ohio), a move that propelled him into the national spotlight.
At Miami (Ohio), Suder earned First‑Team All‑MAC honors in both his junior and senior seasons, captured the conference’s Player of the Year award, and helped the RedHawks finish a perfect 31‑0 regular season and win the program’s first NCAA Tournament game since 1999.
The pre‑draft process, he says, is relentless, with coaches and scouts scrutinizing every move, a pressure that mirrors the high‑stakes environment of Indiana high school basketball.
Despite feeling under‑recruited throughout his career, Suder credits the rigorous Indiana basketball culture for preparing him for these pivotal moments.
Looking ahead, he hopes the Pacers workout will be a stepping stone toward earning a spot on an NBA roster, a dream he says is within reach thanks to years of disciplined preparation.