Indiana’s Basketball Pipeline
The 2026 NBA Summer League opened its doors in San Francisco, but the true story of the tournament is the surge of talent emerging from Indiana’s basketball hotbeds.
Braden Smith, a Westfield High School alumnus, was selected in the second round of the 2026 draft by the Indiana Pacers, bringing a hometown narrative to the Pacers’ summer roster.
Trey Kaufman‑Renn, a Silver Creek graduate who starred at Purdue, heard his name called in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, continuing a pipeline that has sent Boilermakers to the NBA.
Fletcher Loyer, another Homestead product, shattered Purdue’s all‑time three‑point record before signing with the Los Angeles Clippers, where his shooting prowess could earn him a two‑way contract.
Ryan Conwell, a Pike High School graduate, earned a spot with the Miami Heat after being drafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, while Brooks Barnhizer, a Lafayette Jeff alumnus, was selected 44th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 draft.
Other Indiana‑connected players are also making noise: Peter Suder, a Carmel standout, signed a two‑way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers; Luke Goode, who honed his game at Homestead, spent last season with the Lakers’ G‑League affiliate; Keion Brooks Jr., a La Lumiere School product, has bounced between the NBA and the G‑League; Ben Humrichous from Tipton joined the Brooklyn Nets on an Exhibit‑10 contract; Jalen Washington, a Gary West Side graduate, landed with the Chicago Bulls for summer league; Johnell Davis, a Gary 21st Century alumnus, signed with the Orlando Magic; and Kyle Mangas, a Warsaw native, has carved out a professional path across the G‑League and overseas.
The concentration of Hoosier talent underscores the state’s enduring influence on the game, suggesting that the NBA’s developmental circuit will continue to be enriched by Indiana’s deep basketball roots.