Nine former IU basketball stars saw action at the highest level of the game during the 2019-20 season.
Eight of the nine played in the Orlando bubble as the NBA resumed action during the pandemic this summer.
Below are the final regular season NBA stats and a brief update on each player.
OG Anunoby – Toronto
The 23 year old Anunoby is starting to blossom in Toronto. With an expanded role, Anunoby’s numbers were up across the board. Even on a per-minute basis, Anunoby’s production was improved in his third season in the league. Of particular note, Anunoby was a more efficient scorer, improving his field goal percentage by more than five percentage points year-over-year. Anunoby will be a key player for Toronto as they attempt to defend their NBA title.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 69/68
MPG – 29.9 (career high)
Points – 10.6 (career high)
Rebounds – 5.3 (career high)
Assists – 1.6 (career high)
Blocks – .7 (career high)
Steals – 1.4 (career high)
FG% – .505 (career high)
3FG% – .390 (career high)
FT% – .706 (career high)
Thomas Bryant – Washington
Much like his former teammate and good friend Anunoby, Bryant took another big step in his third year in the league. Although he dealt with a foot injury earlier in the year and tested positive for COVID-19, Bryant arrived at the NBA bubble rejuvenated. There he averaged 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. With a versatile inside/out game, the 23 year old Bryant appears to be on his way to a long NBA career. The Wizards did not make the NBA playoffs.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 46/36
MPG – 24.9 (career high)
Points – 13.2 (career high)
Rebounds – 7.2 (career high)
Assists – 1.8 (career high)
Blocks – 1.1 (career high)
Steals – .5 (career high)
FG% – .581
3FG% – .407 (career high)
FT% – .741
Yogi Ferrell – Sacramento
After going undrafted, Ferrell just completed his fourth season in the NBA. That in and of itself is impressive. But with a limited role, his now two year run in Sacramento likely wasn’t what Ferrell had in mind. Now Ferrell enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. His shooting efficiency improved late, and that might help Ferrell as he looks for a new deal. Sacramento did not make the NBA Playoffs.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 50/0
MPG – 10.6
Points – 4.4
Rebounds – 1.0
Assists – 1.4
Blocks – .1
Steals – .4
FG% – .420
3FG% – .304
FT% – .857
Eric Gordon – Houston
The 2019-20 season has been an injury filled roller coaster ride for Gordon that continued into the bubble, but he is healthy as the Rockets enter the playoffs. Although he is overshadowed by big stars in Houston, the 31 year old Gordon is thought of as a valuable piece of the puzzle as the Rockets try to get over the hump and win an NBA crown.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 36/15
MPG – 28.2
Points – 14.4
Rebounds – 2.0
Assists – 1.5
Blocks – .4
Steals – .6
FG% – .369
3FG% – .317
FT% – .766
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Romeo Langford – Boston
The injury bug struck Langford once again just as the Celtics get set to embark on their playoff run. While he got some extended looks in the bubble, Langford is now dealing with a shooting hand wrist injury that may impact his availability for the playoffs. Questions about Langford’s ability as a perimeter shooter persist, and another injury to his shooting hand won’t help. Langford did earn a reputation as a budding defender in the league.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 32/2
MPG – 11.6
Points – 2.5
Rebounds – 1.3
Assists – .4
Blocks – .3
Steals – .3
FG% – .350
3FG% – .185
FT% – .720
Juwan Morgan – Utah
In rookie season story similar to Ferrell and Bryant, Morgan was another Hoosier that quickly found a home in the league after a strong showing in the NBA G-League. The undrafted Morgan signed a deal with the NBA club, saw plenty of action during the year, and will now be part of a playoff team in the bubble for Utah. If Morgan can post efficiency numbers like he did in year one while taking on a larger role he could end up sticking long term in the league.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 21/0
MPG – 6.4
Points – 1.7
Rebounds – 1.4
Assists – 0.3
Blocks – 0.1
Steals – 0.0
FG% – .577
3FG% – .375
FT% – .750
Victor Oladipo – Indiana
What a strange season for Oladipo. After fighting back to return from a severe knee injury in late January, he struggled to regain his old form prior to the postponement of play in March. While the break seemed ideal for Oladipo’s recovery, he struggled with his decision on whether or not to play in the bubble, and then saw teammate T.J. Warren emerge as the Pacers’ star. Oladipo improved is production and efficiency in the bubble. With the Warren/Oladipo tandem, Indiana will be a tough out in the playoffs.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 19/16
MPG – 27.8
Points – 14.5
Rebounds – 3.9
Assists – 2.9
Blocks – 0.2
Steals – .9
FG% – .394
3FG% – .317
FT% – .814
Noah Vonleh – Denver
Vonleh was traded to Denver in February after starting the season in Minnesota. Vonleh hasn’t seen a big role at either location after a big 2018-19 season in New York. The Nuggets are Vonleh’s sixth team during his six year career. Denver is the No. 3 seed in the West for the NBA Playoffs.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 36/1
MPG – 10.5
Points – 3.7
Rebounds – 3.4
Assists – .8
Blocks – .2
Steals – .3
FG% – .562 (career high)
3FG% – .200
FT% – .781 (career high)
Cody Zeller – Charlotte
Zeller was the lone former IU player in the league that didn’t play in the Orlando bubble. Although Charlotte struggled this year, Zeller had one of his more productive seasons despite diminished minutes and coming off of the bench at times. The now 27 year old Zeller will be entering his eighth season in the league next year.
2019-20 YTD Stats:
Games/Games Started – 58/39
MPG – 23.1
Points – 11.1 (career high)
Rebounds – 7.1 (career high)
Assists – 1.5
Blocks – .4
Steals – .7
FG% – .524
3FG% – .240
FT% – .682
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