Indiana
Could Bryson Tucker be Indiana’s Best Player Next Season?
While the dynamic duo of Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau should hypothetically be the most important players for the Indiana men’s basketball team next year, do not be shocked if it is the new guy in town who ends up earning the title of the team’s best overall player when the 2024-2025 season is all said and done.
Mike Woodson has a plethora of reinforcements inbound for what is shaping up to be a bounce back campaign in B-Town, but Bryson Tucker stands out as the newcomer with the potential to make the strongest impact for Indiana.
As a 6’7″, 195 pound swingman with a 6’9″ wingspan and bundles of bounce, Tucker arrives at Assembly Hall with the physical profile to make major things happen all over the court. Combine those tangible tools with his intellectual wisdom on the floor, fearless spirit and extremely deep offensive bag, and you have all the makings of a player who should be able to make those aforementioned major things happen right from the jump.
The product of Maryland has been likened to retired NBA legend Grant Hill, as well as active association elite’s Jayson Tatum and Cade Cunningham. Those comparisons may set extremely high expectations for Tucker, but when you watch him play you can undoubtedly understand these parallels.
He always seems so poised with the ball in his hands, and is extremely meticulous when it comes to getting to his spots. His midrange game is masterful, and while he certainly has some work to do from deep there is no denying the prettiness of his shooting stroke. If he can continue to make strides as a threat from beyond the arc, it is going to be a nightmare for defenders trying to find ways to contain him.
His skillset breeds a massive amount of excitement to see what he can do offensively, but defensively is where he could truly make his mark. Those previously noted physical gifts alone should earn him a ton of run hawking opposing teams’ top perimeter threats, and could even earn him some time briefly relieving the big fellas of their duties from time to time.
All things considered, it just does not seem as though Tucker is receiving the type of hype which he should be leading up to his freshman season. With so much going on over the course of the past few weeks in terms of this roster rejuvenation, it is almost as though the fanbase has temporarily forgotten about how good this true freshman can be.
Here is your sign that Bryson Tucker is about to make the candy stripe faithful permanently remember his name in 2024-2025.
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — It’s fair season and a new law uncorks adult beverage sales!
The new Indiana law will go into effect July 1st, making it legal to sell alcohol at county fairs.
The Kosciusko County Fair is set to kick off in just a few weeks and Indiana is officially allowing alcohol to be sold.
The law is bringing back something that’s not necessarily new to this fair.
Here’s what you need to know
The new law will go into effect on July 1st. It officially allows county fairs to apply for fee-free permits to sell alcohol.
Officials with the Kosciusko County Fair say they are participating this year. They are implementing the same guidelines they used when they sold alcohol just at grandstand events.
The difference now is, you can walk around the grounds with your drink. But strict guidelines will be in place for purchasing a drink.
“Actually, we’ve never had any issues. Because we card everybody, so we take that seriously. We also got the ID guides so we can identify the different types of IDs,” said Sheal Dirck, Treasurer of Kosciusko County Fair.
The Kosciusko County Fair already have guidelines in place, so this was an easy transition for the fair.
They will be the only vendors selling alcohol, which will make it easier to control distribution.
The sales will also bring in more revenue.
“Hopefully it allows to keep our ticket prices where they are because right now, insurance, utilities and everything else is going sky high and it’s hard to make ends meet,” said Dirck.
However, some fairs cannot participate because of the July 1st start date, like the Pulaski County Fair, which is going on right now. Pulaski County officials said it is on the agenda for next year. Whereas other fairs are choosing to sit this year out.
“We wanted not spend some time to, to see what that really means for us. It was not a decision we wanted to rush into. But we are happy for the option of it,” said Shelly Steury, GM of Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds.
Leaders at the St. Joseph County and Elkhart County Fairs said neither of them are selling alcohol.
The Kosciusko County Fair is the only fair that will sell alcohol in our area this year.
Indiana
‘Foul play’ suspected in death investigation on Indiana-Ohio state line, Wayne County officials say
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating the death of a person who died in the emergency department of Reid Health in Richmond.
Wayne County Coroner Brent Meadows was notified of the death Wednesday evening, according to a media release. Evidence has reportedly indicated that foul play is involved.
Officials believe the incident may have occurred in the area of the Petro Travel Center in New Paris, Ohio, just across the Indiana-Ohio state line.
The coroner’s office said the deceased person has been transported to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, for a forensic autopsy and identification.
The office is still working the locate and identify the victim’s family.
This remains an active investigation.
News 8’s Michaela Springer contributed to this report.
Braden Smith spent four seasons with Purdue basketball proving all the power conference programs who overlooked him missed out.
Now the former Boilermaker point guard has a chance to do the same in the NBA.
Smith, a Westfield native, is headed to the Pacers after Indiana traded for him when the Chicago Bulls selected him with the 38th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a source confirmed to IndyStar.
Smith is Purdue’s third draft pick in five years, joining lottery picks Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey among a group of now 11 NBA draft selections to play at Purdue under Matt Painter.
Here’s a look at Smith’s Purdue career and what he brings to the Pacers.
Before capping a career that includes two Big Ten regular season and two Big Ten Tournament championships, along with helping Purdue end a 44-year Final Four drought, Smith broke former Duke guard Bobby Hurley’s all-time NCAA assists record.
Along the way, Smith took home the 2025 Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard in a season where he also was the Big Ten Player of the Year. A two-time consensus first-team All-American, Smith finished his Purdue career eighth in career points (1,932), third in steals (249) and has the top three assist seasons in school history that helped add to his NCAA record total of 1,103.
Smith’s knock is his 5-foot-10 1/2 height measurement, but that didn’t deter him from being one of college basketball’s top players.
What Smith lacked in height, he made up for in basketball IQ. He’s lethal with a midrange jump shot and showcased an unblockable fadeaway that allowed him to shoot over lengthier defenders. He mastered manipulating defenses while playing with marquee big men the last four seasons.
His role in the NBA likely will be not require him to be the team’s primary playmaker immediately. Smith’s awareness of that fact pushed a more defensive-minded approach in preparation for the next level. At the NBA Draft Combine in May, Smith showed he’s capable of defending elite guards.
Smith is an elite competitor who never showed to shy away from the dirty work, which is something that can help him earn NBA minutes as a rookie while trying to find his footing in an unfamiliar backup role.
Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter.
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