Mojave King chose to play for the Indiana Mad Ants to develop, hopes to be with Indiana Pacers in the future

King was drafted 47th overall in 2023

INDIANAPOLIS — When the Indiana Pacers drafted Mojave King 47th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, general manager Chad Buchanan said he was excited about bringing the young forward into the program. King played in summer league for the blue and gold, but reports surfaced before those games that King would be a draft-and-stash and would not play for Indiana in the NBA this season.

In reality, King ended up outside of the NBA while also remaining in the Pacers program. He signed in the NBA G League and has spent this season with the Indiana Mad Ants, the Pacers affiliate team. That has kept the New Zealander in Indianapolis for the entire season.

"I'm really just looking for the best situation for my development," King said last summer when asked where he would sign since he wasn't going to be with the Pacers. In the end, that wound up being the Mad Ants.

The reason for that came in part due to injury and in part due to circumstance. After playing in summer league for the Pacers, King suffered a left foot injury that required rehab. It would cause him to miss some time, which limited his options.

On top of that, the Indiana Mad Ants had a location-based benefit. Because the Mad Ants are currently in the process of moving from Fort Wayne to Noblesville and their new arena isn't finished, they are playing all of their games in Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season. That's where the Pacers play, too, and the two squads are also sharing a practice facility.

For King, that all was incredibly appealing as he searched for the right team for his development. "This is where I want to be. Obviously trying to work my way up to the Pacers. There's probably no better place in the world to be. In the building, in their practice facility now," the 22-year old said of his decision to join the Mad Ants. "Being in front of the scouts, the coaches, even the players. If you're trying to get up, this is the only place you really should be."

After missing the Showcase portion of the G League season, King's recovery allowed him to debut on January 13th of this year. He suited up in Portland, Maine as the Mad Ants took on the Maine Celtics. In about 17 minutes of action, the rookie wing finished with seven points, one rebound, and one assist.

He had a minutes limit for his first few outings, but he was able to play in a back-to-back, as well as three times in six days, upon returning. The second-round pick was healthy and ready to go.

"It's great," he said of his injury in February. "That's the longest I've ever been out in my career. Bit of a process, but just happy to be out there."

He was thrilled to be playing basketball again. King was able to hit the hardwood without thinking about the injury pretty quickly, but the rehab process did give him more of an appreciation for other players who have returned from injuries. It's tough.

Before the injury, and before the Mad Ants crystallized as the situation that made the most sense for the young wing, King did consider playing overseas. He talked to his agent about his goals and what he's trying to do going forward. His young age was a factor, too. King wants to work his way up into the NBA.

The comfort level he has in the G League combined with the aforementioned factors made the Mad Ants the right fit. King played for the G League Ignite during the 2022-23 season, a development program the G League is shutting down after this season.

Indiana Pacers draftee Mojave King warms up for the Indiana Mad Ants before a game against the Cleveland Charge. (Mandatory Photo Credit: AllPacers)

undefined

"I think it definitely helps, especially kind of getting thrown into the fire a little bit with a team that has been doing so well," King said of having prior experience in the G League.

Mad Ants head coach Tom Hankins can tell that he's played at this level before. Even with some rocky moments, the young wing has shown off his natural basketball talent, "He's got really good feel," Hankins said of King.

In pick-and-rolls as well as cutting, the coach can tell that King understands what he is doing and where he's supposed to be. That has value and makes development easier. So far, King has 15 appearances for the Mad Ants — he's averaging 3.9 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.

He's only averaging 8.9 minutes per outing, though. Per 36 minutes, King's stats are 16.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. "He understands more than a college guy... he's ahead of the game there," Hankins said of King. The coach shared that the rookie wing has a good grasp on spacing and where he needs to be at all times.

The Mad Ants are 9-6 when King suits up, and the team begins postseason play soon. They can use the Ignite product on the wing, though if Kendall Brown gets assigned to the Mad Ants from the Pacers, King's role will be smaller in the playoffs.

Back in summer league, the 47th overall pick averaged 4.0 points per game across 9.7 minutes per outing in five appearances. Even with solid instincts and game knowledge, King's efficiency hasn't been at the level it needs to be while in the Pacers organization — his shot didn't fall in summer league, and it's been shaky in the G League.

But his natural gifts are there, and the Pacers will have to make a decision on King's future after this season. If they want to keep his rights, they need to offer him a contract. What that contract looks like, if it even exists, may depend on how the team feels about his development — which has all happened with their affiliate team thanks to King's decision.

• Jarace Walker getting more chances for the Indiana Pacers as feel for the game improves . CLICK HERE.
• Myles Turner sets Indiana Pacers franchise record for total blocks: 'Hopefully it'll be there for a long time'. CLICK HERE.
• Doug McDermott returns during Indiana Pacers road trip, has a refined sense on how he can help the team win
  . CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers crush Brooklyn Nets for second-straight win as Tyrese Haliburton shines . CLICK HERE.
• Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
• Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers