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Four Former Indiana Hoosiers Competing in 2023 NBA Playoffs

Here's an update on the four former Indiana Hoosiers in the NBA Playoffs, including Thomas Bryant on the Denver Nuggets, Eric Gordon on the Los Angeles Clippers and Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller on the Miami Heat.
Jack Ankony|
Four Former Indiana Hoosiers Competing in 2023 NBA Playoffs
Four Former Indiana Hoosiers Competing in 2023 NBA Playoffs

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Indiana Hoosiers

The 2023 NBA Playoffs are in full swing, and four former Indiana Hoosiers are competing for the title.

Thomas Bryant is on the No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets, while Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller are teammates once again on the Miami Heat and Eric Gordon is having a productive 15th NBA season for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Here's an update on the four Hoosiers playing in the NBA Playoffs.

Thomas Bryant, Denver Nuggets

2022-23 stats (59 games): 9.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 62.3 FG%

Bryant was having one of his best seasons in the NBA with the Lakers this year, starting 25 games and averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds. But when Lakers center Anthony Davis returned from injury, Bryant's playing time diminished and ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that Bryant grew unhappy in his role and asked for a trade. The Lakers traded Bryant to the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 9 for Davon Reed and three second-round picks. Since joining the Nuggets, Bryant has played 18 games with one start, averaging 11.4 minutes per game. The Nuggets have a 2-0 lead in their current series against the Timberwolves, but Bryant hasn't played. 

Bryant is in his sixth season in the NBA, compiling 134 starts and 229 games played. According to Spotrac, Bryant has earned $28,827,135 in his career. Bryant played two seasons at Indiana, helping the Hoosiers win their most recent Big Ten title and Sweet 16 appearance in 2015-16. He averaged 12.2 points in 69 starts as a Hoosier.

Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers

2022-23 stats (69 games): 12.4 ppg, 2.7 apg, 37.1 3-point FG%

In his 15th NBA season, Gordon has played a valuable role for the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers. He began the season in Houston, but was sent to Los Angeles in a three-team trade with Memphis and Houston on Feb. 9. Since joining the Clippers, Gordon has appeared in 22 games. Gordon was in the starting lineup for the Clippers first two playoff games against the Phoenix Sun, scoring 19 and 12 points on a combined 7-for-16 3-point shooting run.

Across his career, Gordon is averaging 16.0 points on 37.1 percent 3-point shooting with 628 starts and 818 total games played. Gordon was the No. 7 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Clippers, and he's since made $176,573,293, according to Spotrac. Gordon was the 2007 Indiana Mr. Basketball at North Central High School and won Big Ten Freshman of the Year in his lone season at Indiana, averaging 20.9 points.

Victor Oladipo, Miami Heat

2022-23 stats (42 games): 10.7 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.0 rpg, 1.4 spg, 33.0 3-point FG%

Oladipo didn't make his season debut for the Miami Heat until Dec. 6 due to injury, and he's had an inconsistent role since returning. He has five 20-plus point games this season, including a recent 30-point effort on April 7. Oladipo was healthy but didn't play in Miami's first playoff game, then he scored 15 points and logged 26 minutes on Wednesday against Milwaukee. Miami guard Tyler Herro is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after breaking his hand against Milwaukee on Sunday, so Oladipo could play an elevated role as the playoffs continue.

Oladipo is a two-time All-Star, including third-team All-NBA and first-team All-Defensive selections in 2017-18 for the Indiana Pacers. Across 10 NBA seasons, he's averaging 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 397 starts and 504 total games played. Oladipo was the No. 2 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft after being a first-team All-American for the 2012-13 Big Ten champion Indiana Hoosiers. Oladipo has made $115,314,581 in his NBA career, according to Spotrac.

Cody Zeller, Miami Heat

2022-23 stats (15 games): 6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 62.7 FG%

Zeller joined his college teammate, Victor Oladipo, during the 2022-23 season when the Miami Heat signed Zeller to a one-year deal on Feb. 20. Zeller has played 15 games with two starts for the Heat, and he scored season-high 20 points with eight rebounds on April 1. With Bam Adebayo as Miami's starting center, Zeller will likely have a limited role in the playoffs. He didn't play in game one, but he scored four points with eight rebounds and three assists in 12 minutes against Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Across 10 NBA seasons, Zeller is averaging 8.4 points and 5.9 rebounds with 509 total games played and 275 starts. According to Spotrac, his career earning are $75,639,182. Zeller was the No. 4 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats after winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year at Indiana in 2011-12 and earning second-team All-American honors in 2012-13.

Oladipo hit Zeller with a slick behind-the-back pass for an easy dunk on April 9.

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Jack Ankony
JACK ANKONY

Jack Ankony has been covering IU basketball and football with “Indiana Hoosiers on SI” since 2022. He graduated from Indiana University's Media School with a degree in journalism.

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