Indiana basketball will continue a tradition started under Mike Woodson in 2022 when it hosts the third annual IU Basketball Pro Day in early October.
The event gives the IU basketball players an opportunity to workout in front of decision makers and people of influence from around the league.
The pro-style combine workout will take place in the afternoon on Oct. 5.
Past editions of the Pro Day have seen representatives from most NBA franchises in attendance. Personnel from all 30 teams attended in 2023.
“I think when you’ve got high expectations and you’ve got a few players that might have a crack at playing at the next level, it’s okay to invite the NBA world into your life. I’m not afraid of that. I don’t think it put any added pressure on our players,” Woodson said in 2022 about the event.
“I’ve got a lot of friends at the big level. It will be nice to have them come in and watch what we do.”
The event is also another arrow in the recruiting quiver for Woodson and his staff.
Woodson spent 22 seasons coaching in the NBA, including nine seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. His coaching career began in 1996-97 and spanned two decades and seven franchises. In his nine seasons as head coach, he made the playoffs five times and earned three trips to the second round. He was also part of the Detroit Pistons coaching staff for their NBA Title in 2004.
The first reports suggesting Jalen Hood-Schifino might be a one-and-done player emerged from the 2022 pro day. Both he and Trayce Jackson-Davis were drafted following that season.
Several players from Indiana’s current roster have a chance to reach the NBA in 2025, or perhaps a year or two later. Mackenzie Mgbako and Kanaan Carlyle have appeared in some very early 2025 mock NBA Drafts.
Following the selection of Kel’el Ware in June, IU has had 80 players selected in the NBA Draft.
The 2204-25 team will make its first public appearance, along with the women’s team, two weeks later at Hoosier Hysteria.
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