Peter Suder, a former star of Carmel High School, recently stepped onto the court for a pre‑draft workout with the Indiana Pacers, a moment he describes as both surreal and deeply personal. Growing up in Indiana, he rooted for the Pacers, making the experience feel like a homecoming after years of watching the team from the stands.
His high school career was marked by two 4A state championships in 2019 and 2021, achievements that placed him among the elite in Indiana basketball. Despite being under‑recruited, Suder leveraged that underdog status to fuel his development, a narrative that still shapes his outlook today.
From State Champion to Draft Prospect
After brief stints at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Suder transferred to Miami (Ohio), where he blossomed into a First‑Team All‑MAC selection in both his junior and senior seasons. In his final year, he earned MAC Player of the Year honors and helped the RedHawks finish a perfect 31‑0 regular season, averaging 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
The pre‑draft workout with the Pacers was intense, with coaches and scouts scrutinizing every drill. Suder likened the atmosphere to a high‑pressure laboratory, where each movement was dissected by professionals eager to gauge his readiness for the NBA.
He credits Indiana’s basketball culture for instilling a resilience that prepares him for such moments, and he approaches the upcoming draft with a blend of humility and determination, hoping to turn his lifelong fandom into a professional reality.