Who is the best Indiana high school boys basketball player? Vote now
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Nothing is as synonymous with Indiana as basketball.
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The Hoosier State has punched well above its weight in producing high school basketball talent over the years, going back to the 1925 state tournament, which was attended by the inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith. “The possibilities of basketball as seen here were a revelation to me,” Naismith later wrote of his experience. “Basketball may have been invented in Massachusetts, but it was made for Indiana.”
So … who is the best high school player in Indiana high school history?
It is a question we at USA TODAY Sports have attempted to answer. The following list of 10 players is based on high school achievements first but also considering the bulk of a player’s career and is just a starting point. Readers can add their own submissions to the poll.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.
In alphabetical order:
Steve Alford, New Castle
Alford was Mr. Basketball in 1983 coming out of New Castle, where he averaged a staggering 37.2 points per game as a senior. He scored an all-time tournament record 57 points in a semistate win over Broad Ripple, then 37 that night in a loss to Connersville. Alford scored 2,143 points in his high school career. Alford went on to be a two-time consensus All-American as a college player at Indiana, where he helped the Hoosiers win a national championship in 1987, averaging 19.5 points and 3.1 assists for his four-year career. He also won an Olympics’ gold medal in 1984. Alford played four seasons in the NBA with Dallas and Golden State, averaging 4.4 points in 169 games. He’s won 724 games as a college coach, currently with Nevada.
Damon Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence
Bailey became famous at an early age when he was featured in John Feinstein’s book A Season on the Brink. Bailey’s legend only increased during his high school years at Bedford North Lawrence, where he led the Stars to three Final Four appearances, including a state championship played in front of more than 41,000 fans at the Hoosier Dome in 1990. Bailey set an Indiana high school boys’ basketball record with 3,134 points, a mark that still stands. The 1990 Mr. Basketball was a McDonald’s All-American and first-team Parade All-American. Bailey went on to play for Knight at Indiana, where he was a four-year starter. Bailey averaged in double figures his first three years, then averaged 19.6 points and 4.3 assists as a senior in 1993-94. He never played in the NBA but was first-team all-CBA with the Fort Wayne Fury in 1998.
Dick Barnett, Gary Roosevelt
Barnett was one of Indiana high school basketball’s stars of the 1950s. His Gary Roosevelt team reached the state championship in his senior season of 1954-55, losing to Oscar Robertson and Crispus Attucks in a game that matched two all-Black schools. Barnett scored 18 points in both the state semifinal and state title game. He went on to lead then-NAIA Tennessee State to three national championships, earning two championship MVPs (he scored 3,209 career points). That is where he became known for his trademark technique of kicking his legs back on his jump shot and teasing defenders with the line as he released the ball: “Too late; fall back baby.” Barnett started his career with the Syracuse Nationals, Cleveland Pipers and Los Angeles Lakers from 1959-65, but became best known with the New York Knicks from 1965-73. He won two NBA titles with the Knicks in 1970 and ’73. Barnett scored 15,358 points for his 14-year NBA career, earning All-Star honors in 1968. “Fall Back Baby” was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.
Larry Bird, Springs Valley
Bird was an Indiana All-Star in 1974 coming out of Springs Valley, where he scored 1,125 career points and averaged 30.6 points and 20.5 rebounds as a senior. Bird started out in college at Indiana but never played for the Hoosiers. He ended up at Indiana State, where he quickly became a star during the 1976-77 season, when he averaged 32.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.4 steals. Bird became a consensus All-American the next two seasons, earning National Player of the Year honors as a senior in 1978-79 as he led Indiana State to the national title game. He scored 2,850 college points in three seasons. Bird went on to NBA stardom with the Boston Celtics as a three-time Most Valuable Player and three-time NBA champion. He averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game for his 13-year career. Bird was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
Mike Conley, Lawrence North
Conley was the point guard for the Lawrence North teams that won three consecutive state championships from 2004-06, teaming with Greg Oden. Conley averaged 16.4 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds as a senior. Conley went on to play at Ohio State in college, averaging 11.3 points and leading the Big Ten Conference with 6.1 assists per game. Conley and Oden helped Ohio State reach the national championship game, losing to Florida. He was taken with the fourth pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Conley has gone on to play 19 NBA seasons with Memphis (12 seasons), Utah and Minnesota. He was an NBA All-Star in 2020-21 and named to the All-Defensive Team in 2012-13. For his career, he has averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds.
Eric Gordon, North Central
Gordon starred at North Central, averaging 29.0 points per game as a senior during the 2006-07 season to earn Mr. Basketball honors as he led the Panthers to a 21-5 record and Class 4A state runner-up finish. He scored 2,178 career points in high school. Gordon originally committed to Illinois while in high school but ended up going to Indiana. He averaged 20.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists at IU during the 2007-08 season to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year and third-team All-American honors. Gordon was taken with the No. 7 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2008 NBA Draft. He was named to the All-Rookie team in 2008-09 and was Sixth Man of the Year in 2016-17 with the Houston Rockets. Gordon has played 18 NBA seasons, averaging 15.2 points per game.
Shawn Kemp, Concord
The “Reign Man” splashed on the scene first at Concord High School, where he averaged 23.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 5.5 blocked shots as a senior in 1987-88 and finished with 2,134 career points, which ranked No. 9 on the state list at the time of his graduation. The 6-11 Kemp led the Minutemen to the state championship game, falling to Muncie Central. Kemp was committed to Kentucky, left school, then went to Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College. He did not play there, either, and was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the No. 17 overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. Kemp was a six-time NBA All-Star during a 14-year NBA career. He was a three-time all-NBA selection. Kemp averaged 16.2 points and 9.6 rebounds during his eight seasons in Seattle.
Clyde Lovellette, Terre Haute Garfield
The 6-9 Lovellette scored 1,114 points over a three-year period in high school, leading Garfield to an undefeated season as a junior in 1946-47 before falling in the state championship game to Bill Garrett and Shelbyville. He averaged 13.6 points that season, then upped that to 23.0 points per game as a senior in 1947-48 as he was runner-up for Mr. Basketball to Bob Masters of Lafayette Jeff. Kansas coach Phog Allen convinced Lovellette to commit to KU instead of Indiana. He was a star with the Jayhawks, earning third-team All-American honors as a sophomore, then first-team honors as a junior and senior. Lovellette was the Helms Foundation Player of the Year in 1952 and the NCAA scoring champion, averaging 28.4 points per game and winning a national title. He was the No. 9 overall pick of the Minneapolis Lakers in 1952, going on to be a four-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion (1954 Lakers and 1963 and ’64 Boston Celtics). Lovellette, inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1988, is one of eight players in history to win a national championship, NBA title and Olympic Gold.
George McGinnis, Indianapolis Washington
McGinnis was one of the most dominant high school basketball players in the state’s history, leading Washington to the 1969 state championship against a Final Four field that had just one loss between the four teams. “Big George” became the first Indiana high school player to score more than 1,000 points in a single season, averaging 32.5 points per game as a senior. The 6-8 McGinnis finished with 2,075 points and 1,678 rebounds in high school. He went on to Indiana, where he averaged 29.9 points in his only season with the Hoosiers in 1970-71 to earn All-American and All-Big Ten Conference honors. He opted to play in the ABA with the Indiana Pacers, becoming a marquee player on two championship teams. He was named ABA MVP in 1974-75, averaging 29.8 points and 6.3 assists. McGinnis was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 1973 NBA Draft (No. 22 overall) and played three seasons with the 76ers, starting in 1975. McGinnis played two seasons with the Denver Nuggets, then finished with two more seasons with the Indiana Pacers from 1980-82. McGinnis was a three-time NBA All-Star and three-time ABA All-Star, scoring 17,009 career points (20.2 average) and 9,233 career rebounds (11.0 average). He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2017.
Rick Mount, Lebanon
Mount was the overwhelming choice as Mr. Basketball in 1966 after averaging 27.3 points per game for his four-year career, including 33.1 per game as a junior and senior. He scored 2,595 points for his high school career, earning a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated during his senior season. Mount originally committed to Miami (Fla.) but changed course and went to Purdue. Freshmen were not allowed to play at the time in college, but as a sophomore in 1967-68, he averaged 28.4 points. He was a first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year each of the next two seasons, leading Purdue to the NCAA championship game in 1969. He averaged 35.4 points as a senior. Mount went on to play five seasons in the ABA, averaging 11.8 points per game. His best season was his final season, with the Memphis Sounds in 1974-75, as he averaged 17.1 points per game.
Greg Oden, Lawrence North
The 7-foot Oden was one of the most dominant high school basketball players in the country, leading Lawrence North to three consecutive Class 4A state championships. He was Mr. Basketball in 2006 and named the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Oden was named to the McDonald’s All-American team. Oden committed to Ohio State with Lawrence North teammate Mike Conley. As a freshman, he averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots per game and helped the Buckeyes reach the NCAA national championship game. Oden was the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft in 2007 by the Portland Trailblazers but underwent surgery on his right knee prior to the season and did not play a game. As a rookie in 2008-09, he averaged 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots in 61 games. Oden started all 21 games in 2009-10 and was averaging 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots in 2010-11 before another knee injury ended his season. Oden played just one more NBA season, appearing in 23 games with Miami in the 2013-14 season.
Zach Randolph, Marion
The 6-9 Randolph was runner-up for Mr. Basketball as a senior in 1999-2000 behind Jared Jeffries but was named MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game. Randolph helped Marion to the state finals as a sophomore in 1998, then helped the Giants win a state title in 2000. He scored 1,607 career points at Marion. Randolph went on to play at Michigan State, averaging 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 2000-01 as a freshman to help the Spartans reach the Final Four. He was drafted No. 19 overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by Portland. Randolph went on to a 17-year NBA career, averaging 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds for his career, spent mostly with the Trailblazers and the Memphis Grizzlies. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA third team in 2011. His No. 50 is retired by the Grizzlies.
Oscar Robertson, Crispus Attucks
The “Big O” was a transformative player in Indiana high school basketball, leading Crispus Attucks to state championships in 1955 and ’56 as the Tigers became the first all-Black school in the country to win a state championship. The 6-5 Robertson averaged 24.0 points and was named Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1956, leading Attucks to a 31-0 record and state record (at the time) 45 consecutive wins. Robertson went on to stardom at the University of Cincinnati, where he won the national scoring title in all three of his seasons and was named a consensus All-American. He was named national player of the year for three consecutive years, setting 14 NCAA records and 19 school records, including 2,973 career points. Robertson was the No. 1 pick of the Cincinnati Royals in 1960, going on to be a 12-time NBA All-Star with the Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. He was league MVP in 1963-64 and NBA champion with the Bucks in 1971. Robertson, whose number is retired by the Bucks, Kings (formerly the Cincinnati Royals) and University of Cincinnati, was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1980.
Glenn Robinson, Gary Roosevelt
“Big Dog” was a dominant force in high school basketball playing for Gary Roosevelt, earning Mr. Basketball honors in 1991. He was also a McDonald’s All-American that season, leading Roosevelt to the state championship. Robinson averaged 25.8 points and 14.7 rebounds as a senior after averaging 21.5 points and 10 rebounds as a junior. He finished with 1,710 career points. Robinson committed to Purdue, where he was the national college player of the year in 1993-94. The 6-7 Robinson averaged 24.1 points and 9.4 rebounds as a sophomore in 1992-93 and went on to average 30.3 points and 11.2 rebounds in 1993-94, leading the nation in scoring. He was the No. 1 pick of the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1994 NBA Draft. Robinson went on to an 11-year career in the NBA, where he was twice named to the NBA All-Star team. He averaged 20.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for his career. Robinson played eight years with the Bucks, then closed out with the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs.
Dick Van Arsdale, Indianapolis Manual
Van Arsdale and his twin brother Tom shared the Mr. Basketball award after their senior season at Manual in 1960-61. Dick scored 1,422 career points in high school and Tom scored 1,350. The brothers then went on to play at Indiana for Branch McCracken. Dick Van Arsdale went for 1,240 points and 719 rebounds in three years at IU and was named third-team All-American in 1964-65. He was selected with the No. 10 overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 1965 NBA Draft and was named to the All-Rookie team. He played three years with the Knicks, then was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 1968 expansion draft. Van Arsdale was a three-time NBA All-Star with the Suns. “The Original Sun” played 12 years in the NBA, averaging 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists for his career. His No. 5 is retired by the Phoenix Suns.
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