[6BS] Former Hoosier OG Anunoby Hits Game Winner In Finals, Wins NBA Championship
Former IU Player Becomes Second Basketball Alumni From School To Win Multiple NBA Titles
Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.
One former Hoosier won a title. Not only is OG Anunoby an NBA Champion again, but he was a major player in getting his team over the finish line this time.
Also, Inside the Hall launched a series previewing each Big Ten team, Indiana’s season projections, and women’s basketball got a commitment from a recruit. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the IU sports in action, which were led by volleyball announcing its fall schedule.
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Here is what is in this week’s edition:
Former Hoosier OG Anunoby Hits Game Winner In NBA Finals As He Celebrates NBA Championship
Inside the Hall’s Big Ten Team Preview
Season Projections
Women’s Basketball Adds Recruit
Weekly Shows
Hoosier Roundup-Volleyball Announces Fall Schedule
Banner #1: Former Hoosier OG Anunoby Hits Game Winner In NBA Finals As He Celebrates NBA Championship
While the number of former Hoosier basketball players currently thriving in the NBA is limited, there is one particular exception. This exception is New York Knicks starter OG Anunoby, who was instrumental in his squad’s championship run this week.
Anunoby averaged over 16 points per game in the regular season, which he has upped to over 20 in the playoffs. It could be argued that, outside of superstar Jalen Brunson, Anunoby was the Knicks’ best player in the postseason.
This duo’s play was superb as New York tore through the playoffs, and the reason the franchise’s first banner since 1972 will hang from the rafters. Anunoby himself had the game winner on an offensive rebound this week to help finish off a comeback from 29 points down on Wednesday while scoring 33 points individually. The Knicks concluded their title chase on Saturday as Anunoby hit the game-clinching free throw. He was also interviewed on the ABC broadcast after the buzzer sounded as his squad celebrated.
As Anunoby thrives in the NBA, it is easy to forget his roots began at IU, where he was discovered by former head coach Tom Crean at a camp while scouting Juwan Morgan, being overlooked by the recruiting world. Anunoby then played under Crean for two seasons from 2015-2017 and came on in Big Ten play to help the Hoosiers win the league title his freshman season.
He then missed most of his sophomore year with injury. However, he had shown enough to be drafted by the Toronto Raptors, where his squad won a title despite him being sidelined by appendicitis. Eventually, he joined the Knicks, where he has thrived after developing a three-point shot, despite periodic injuries sidelining him at times.
With his title in New York, he joins Isiah Thomas as the only former Hoosier to win multiple NBA Championships. Anunoby just completed his ninth season in the league, where his career is far from over.
Banner #2: Inside the Hall’s Big Ten Team Preview
Inside the Hall continued a series looking at all the Big Ten squads in detail. This week saw teams projected in the middle of the field previewed in Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland, Oregon, and Purdue.
Banner #3: Season Projections
IU is expected to be much improved this upcoming fall following the offseason roster changes. Projections have Indiana projected relatively highly heading into 2026-2027, both in the Big Ten and nationally. This is after adding a much-improved front court and several top-end transfers that rank very highly.
Banner #4: Women’s Basketball Adds Recruit
While the IU women are in offseason mode, that does not stop them from recruiting. While it is not a big name or anyone with much information on them, the team did add an international prospect this week in Camille Pangonis for 2027.
The squad also found out who their home and away opponents will be for conference play this season. The 18-game slate features the permanently protected double-play with Purdue and a flip of venues with everyone else from last season.
Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel
Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.
The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both
Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.
Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?
Banner #5: Weekly Shows
Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, Dylan Burkhardt again joined Alex Bozich to discuss the upcoming Big Ten season.
The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.
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Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Volleyball Announces Fall Schedule
Volleyball announced its fall schedule.
Baseball revealed where its players will play in the upcoming summer leagues.
Track and Field finished tied for 35th at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships.
Field hockey announced a signing and named an associate head coach.
Women’s tennis promoted a staff member to associate head coach.
Finally, the Hoosiers had 150 student-athletes honored for their academics by the Big Ten.
Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.
Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.
Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor
The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.