Connect with us

Indiana

Indiana Pacers rookie-scale team options for Ben Sheppard, Jarace Walker, and Bennedict Mathurin are easy calls

Published

1 year ago

on

Indiana Pacers rookie-scale team options for Ben Sheppard, Jarace Walker, and Bennedict Mathurin are easy calls


One of the few remaining items on the Indiana Pacers 2024 offseason checklist is their rookie scale team options, but it’s an easy item for the team to navigate.

Outside of considering an extension for center Isaiah Jackson, the Pacers don’t have much in terms of roster decisions to consider this summer. For players on rookie scale deals, their contracts have two team options — they cover the third and fourth seasons of the deal. But they have to be decided on a full season in advance. For example, as a player on a rookie-scale deal enters their second season, their third-year team option must have a decision made.

The deadline for these decisions is October 31. Rookie scale deals are given, by default, to players drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Indiana has three players who have a rookie-scale team option decision coming within the next two months. Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker, who were drafted in 2023, as well as Bennedict Mathurin, who was drafted in 2022, have team options on their contract coming their way.

Advertisement

Walker and Sheppard’s deal have a third-year team option decision while Mathurin’s deal has a fourth year option. There are some specifics involved, but all three choices are no-brainers.

Sheppard was in the Pacers playoff rotation as a rookie and started a few games. His team option, which covers the 2025-26 season, is for just under $2.8 million. Walker’s is for $6.6 million — he was selected in the NBA Draft lottery.

Mathurin’s is a fourth-year team option, and he’s a high-ceiling youngster. His option is for just over $9.1 million, and he is a talented scorer and play finisher for a 22-year old. His growth is a massive storyline for Indiana this season.

Sheppard and Mathurin are young rotation players, which makes their team options a no-brainer. Walker doesn’t play as much yet, but his potential at an important position is high, and Indiana has no reason to decline his option. There isn’t any debate with these decisions.

The blue and gold have an expensive and full roster for the 2025-26 campaign already. Keeping young, cheap talent is a must. The Pacers almost certainly will pick up all three of these team options and keep developing the youngsters.

Advertisement



Source link

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Indiana

Indiana tourism surges past pre-pandemic levels in 2024

Published

1 hour ago

on

December 23, 2025

By

Indiana tourism surges past pre-pandemic levels in 2024


INDIANAPOLIS (WNDU) – Indiana tourism surged past pre-pandemic levels in 2024, according to a new report released by Gov. Mike Braun.

The report shows 83 million visitors traveled to Indiana in 2024, a 1.9% increase from 2023. Visitor spending increased 4.7% from the previous year, totaling $16.9 billion and fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

Visitors spent an average of $203 each during their stays. For every dollar spent by visitors, 65 cents stayed in Indiana, according to the report.

“Our state’s record tourism year is great news for Hoosiers and proof of just how much there is to love about visiting Indiana,” Braun said. “Tourism means jobs, stronger Main Streets, and economic growth. These results show that our investments are yielding returns for our economy and showing what makes Indiana a great place to live, work, play and stay.”

Advertisement

To view the full Rockport Analytics report, click here.

Copyright 2025 WNDU. All rights reserved.



Source link

Continue Reading

Indiana

Indiana faces Milwaukee, aims to halt 5-game skid

Published

13 hours ago

on

December 23, 2025

By

Indiana faces Milwaukee, aims to halt 5-game skid


Milwaukee Bucks (11-18, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (6-23, 14th in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bucks -1; over/under is 220.5

Advertisement

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana will try to stop its five-game slide when the Pacers take on Milwaukee.

The Pacers are 2-5 against opponents in the Central Division. Indiana has a 3-14 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Bucks are 3-4 against Central Division opponents. Milwaukee ranks fifth in the NBA averaging 15.0 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 39.9% from downtown. AJ Green leads the team averaging 3.1 makes while shooting 46.8% from 3-point range.

The Pacers average 109.7 points per game, 7.2 fewer points than the 116.9 the Bucks allow. The Bucks average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.4 more made shots on average than the 11.6 per game the Pacers give up.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Bucks won the last matchup 117-115 on Nov. 4, with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 33 points in the win.

Advertisement

TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and four assists for the Pacers. Ethan Thompson is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Ryan Rollins is averaging 17 points, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals for the Bucks. Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 3-7, averaging 108.9 points, 41.1 rebounds, 23.1 assists, 7.3 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.9 points per game.

Bucks: 3-7, averaging 108.0 points, 39.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.7 points.

INJURIES: Pacers: Obi Toppin: out (foot), Ben Sheppard: day to day (calf), Isaiah Jackson: day to day (head), Aaron Nesmith: out (knee), T.J. McConnell: day to day (knee), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

Advertisement

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (calf), Taurean Prince: out (neck).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Indiana

Indiana basketball vs. Siena score, live updates, highlights today

Published

1 day ago

on

December 22, 2025

By

Indiana basketball vs. Siena score, live updates, highlights today


Indiana basketball (9-3) finishes nonconference play with a visit from Siena (9-3) out of the MAAC tonight. The Hoosiers are 6-0 against mid-majors, while this is the Saints’ first game against a power conference opponent.

We will have score updates and highlights throughout, so please remember to refresh.

What time does Indiana basketball play Siena tonight, Dec. 22? Start time for Indiana basketball vs Siena tonight, Dec. 22

The Indiana-Siena game is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET tonight, Dec. 22, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

Advertisement

Where to watch Indiana basketball vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22? What channel is the Indiana-Siena college basketball game tonight, Dec. 22?

TV: BTN

Watch college basketball with a free Fubo trial

How much are IU basketball tickets tonight? Indiana basketball tickets vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22

IU basketball tickets on StubHub

Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 84-62

“Indiana’s second-half power outage Saturday felt like an aberration, at least in games like this. Siena, though, might not necessarily be a walk-over opponent. The Hoosiers should win comfortably, but any pre-holiday malaise might make their last nonconference game uncomfortable. “

Advertisement

Where to listen to Indiana basketball vs. Siena tonight, Dec. 22

As of Dec. 21

  • 0, Jasai Miles
  • 1, Reed Bailey
  • 2, Jason Drake
  • 3, Lamar Wilkerson
  • 4, Sam Alexis
  • 5, Conor Enright
  • 6, Tayton Conerway
  • 7, Nick Dorn
  • 10, Josh Harris
  • 11, Trent Sisley
  • 12, Tucker DeVries
  • 13, Aleksa Ristic
  • 15, Andrej Acimovic

(all times ET; with date, day of week, location and opponent, time, TV)

  • Sun., Jan. 4: vs. Washington, 8 p.m., BTN
  • Wed., Jan. 7: at Maryland, 6:30 p.m., BTN
  • Sat., Jan. 10: vs. Nebraska, noon, BTN

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending