Indiana’s Basketball Passion
INDIANAPOLIS — A phrase you hear frequently in Indiana is seen on chalkboard signs outside bars and spoken by fans, coaches, and players alike. It was even featured on T-shirts during Game 3 of the NBA Finals and serves as the slogan for the state’s basketball Hall of Fame.
In 49 other states, it’s just basketball. But this is Indiana.
The Legacy of James Naismith
Back in 1925, James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, witnessed a high school tournament in Indiana and proclaimed the state “the center of the sport.” Fast forward 100 years, and with the Indiana Pacers making a remarkable run to the finals and the surging popularity of the Indiana Fever, Naismith’s statement holds even more weight today.
The Special Feel of Indiana Basketball
Pacers center Thomas Bryant noted, “I realized that basketball was really special when I took my official visit here. You felt the energy, the tenacity, the love of the game— that’s what made me fall in love with Indiana.” Luke Powell, an actor from Lebanon, Indiana, emphasized, “Basketball is king… Hoosiers are born with basketball.”
Hoosier Hysteria and Its Impact
The state’s fervor for basketball traces back to the early 1900s and intensified with the single-class high school system. This setup created an exhilarating state tournament that captivated fans, including Naismith. A defining moment came in 1954 when Milan High School, with just 161 students, won the state tournament, inspiring the movie “Hoosiers.” By the mid-1950s, Sports Illustrated captured the state’s basketball obsession with the term “Hoosier Madness.”
Current Success of Indiana Teams
Today, Indiana boasts both the underdog Pacers, chasing their first NBA championship, and the rising Fever, featuring WNBA star Caitlin Clark. Fever head coach Stephanie White remarked, “It’s such a fun time to be in the city… There’s no better place.” The dual success of both teams makes Indiana a strong contender to be the first state since 2002 to have NBA and WNBA champions in the same year.
Community and Support
Players from the Pacers and Fever frequently support each other, attending each other’s games. Fever forward Natasha Howard expressed pride in the Pacers’ journey, while guard Lexie Hull mentioned, “It’s electric… We love to support them, and they love to support us.”
The Future of Indiana Basketball
The Pacers, despite being seen as underdogs initially, have defied expectations. Their playoff run, improbable as it was, has captivated the state. Actor Drew Powell noted the significance of a Pacers championship for Indiana, saying, “If the Pacers win, it would be the ultimate team award … I could see the Pacers saying, ‘Let’s win this one for all the small schools that never had a chance to be here.’”
