Indiana's Fifty Greatest Players

From Hoopedia

In 1999, in conjunction with the opening of the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indiana Pacers unveiled their list of the "50 greatest players based on their basketball playing careers in Indiana only." The choices were made by a "blue ribbon panel of basketball experts."

The honorees spanned across all eras and levels of basketball, as well as both sexes. The list included players from the early days, such as Charles "Stretch" Murphy and John Wooden, who both were All-State basketball players who went on to become All-Americans at Purdue University in the 1920s. It included Hoosier high school legends, whose reputations do not extend much past Indiana's borders; Milan High School's Bobby Plump has a small national and international following, but Fuzzy Vandivier and Homer Stonebraker are much better known within Indiana. Indiana University stars Kent Benson, Walt Bellamy, Steve Alford and Don Schlundt are on the list, as well as Notre Dame stars Austin Carr and Adrian Dantley. Of course there are some real international celebrities on the list, too: Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas.

List of Players

Charles "Stretch" Murphy Kent Benson Rik Smits Billy Knight Clyde Lovellette Larry Bird Kyle Macy Ron Bonham Shawn Kemp Randy Wittman LaTaunya Pollard Don Schlundt Roger Brown Rick Mount Bob Leonard Jerry Sloan Walt Bellamy

Dick Van Arsdale Louis Dampier Billy Keller Willie Meriweather Quinn Buckner Fuzzy Vandivier Adrian Dantley Damon Bailey Bobby Plump Mel Daniels Dave Schellhase Bill Garrett Scott Skiles Alan Henderson Willie Gardner Don Buse

Oscar Robertson Jimmy Rayl Tom Van Arsdale Stephanie White-McCarty Hallie Bryant Johnny Wilson Billy Shepherd Reggie Miller Homer Stonebraker Austin Carr Terry Dischinger Isiah Thomas Steve Alford Jon McGlocklin John Wooden Glenn Robinson George McGinnis

External Links

• Conseco Fieldhouse website Top 50 page