Indiana
Kyle Mangas’ Indiana Basketball Journey Leads To Contract With Pacers And Mad Ants
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 18: Kyle Mangas #24 of the Indiana Mad Ants looks to pass during … [+]
INDIANAPOLIS — It’s hard to separate basketball in Indiana from Kyle Mangas. The 25-year old was born in Warsaw, a smaller city in Northern Indiana. He played high school basketball at Warsaw Community High School, where he scored 1,450 points before playing collegiately at Indiana Wesleyan University.
For over 20 years, Mangas lived in the state and breathed basketball. During his time at Indiana Wesleyan, who played at the NAIA level, Mangas proved to be a tremendous talent and was named the 2020 Division II Men’s Basketball National Player of the Year.
A player with that resume could have transferred to a more well known college basketball program, but Mangas never looked into it until after his fourth season. “I looked at [transferring] a little bit, but decided I wanted to go pro,” Mangas said. “Loved the school, and never really thought about going anywhere else.”
Turning toward professional basketball forced Mangas to consider his options, and it led to something unknown: the high-scoring wing had to leave the state of Indiana. And he didn’t exactly stay close. Mangas signed his first professional contract in the Czech Republic with USK Praha — which is over 7,000 kilometers away from Warsaw.
“I’ve been in Europe and you don’t know anyone in the crowd,” Mangas said. “It can be a little difficult at times.” The young wing spent the following season in Lithuania as a member of BC Siauliai.
Those two seasons helped Mangas grow and were a reminder that he always needed to prove himself. But he was ready to come back to the United States, and he was talking to a few teams in the NBA G League ahead of the 2023 campaign. He was prepared to make the leap back to the states.
Then, his hometown team called. The Indiana Mad Ants, the G League affiliate for the Indiana Pacers, showed interest in Mangas. Back in 2021, Mangas worked out for the Pacers twice in the pre-draft process. This time, the organization wanted to have him in for another workout and see if he could be a good fit in their program.
Mangas, who was a Pacers and Indiana University fan as a kid, jumped at the chance. The session was with Mad Ants head coach Tom Hankins, yet Mangas felt little pressure after his overseas experience. He impressed enough to get offered a spot with the Mad Ants for the 2023-24 season, and he was suddenly back in him home base in Indiana
“It was a very easy choice for me to go with the Pacers and the Mad Ants,” Mangas said.
It ended up leading to an Exhibit 10 agreement with the Pacers, which put Mangas in the NBA for a day. He was in training camp with the to-be conference finalists, and he helped out with a few drills while meeting a few members of the team.
That transaction and one day of service gave Indiana Mangas’ G League rights, so he was waived the next day. But by signing an Exhibit 10 agreement, the Warsaw native was eligible for a bonus with the Mad Ants — and he was back in Indiana where his career started. This time, though, he was a pro.
“Every level — high school, collegiate, now professionally — to play basketball in Indiana. I mean, that’s a dream come true in itself,” Mangas said. “It’s awesome, and to be able to come back [and] play for Pacers organizations is really cool.”
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 18: Kyle Mangas #24 of the Indiana Mad Ants takes a shot during the … [+]
The best part of it all, by Mangas’ account, was having his friends and family in the crowd. Many Mad Ants games last year were dominated by fans of Mangas, and they made posters. He was popular locally and called his first year of experience with the Mad Ants a 10 out of 10.
That season was successful for more reasons than just being back home. He also played well and seized the opportunity. Mangas averaged 16.9 points per game for the Mad Ants last season, which was by far the best number by a player on the roster with no NBA experience. He knocked down nearly 39% of his three-point shots while attempting more than six per game, and he dished out 3.5 assists per night. He was valuable right away despite being a G League rookie.
That all led to an impactful season. Indiana’s offensive rating was over 120 with Mangas on the floor, per RealGM, and that was one of the best figures on the team. By the end of the campaign, Mangas had moved into the starting lineup. They needed him there, and he fit well.
While the team was in Las Vegas to battle the G League Ignite in early February of this year, Mangas was rewarded for his hard work. His agent called him to let him know that he had been named to the G League Next Up Game — effectively the G League All-Star game. It was a gratifying nomination for Mangas, and it was even cooler since NBA All-Star weekend was being held in Indianapolis.
“I said, ‘yes, of course. I’ll do it’,” Mangas remembered of getting the invite. “To play in an All-Star game for the G league in Indy, I was like, ‘yes, I’m in’.”
Mangas played for Team Giraffe Stars in the event, but they fell short in the first game of the tournament-style competition. By appearing in that game, he got to attend all of the NBA All-Star weekend festivities, including the Dunk Contest and All-Star game, which took place in his home state.
He closed his G League season strong, too, which led to a playoff berth for the Mad Ants. They fell in the first round of the postseason, but Mangas proved he belonged at that level and was more than worthy of his G League spot.
While maintaining a good relationship with the Pacers organization, Mangas decided to play for the Los Angeles Lakers during summer league back in July. He suffered an ankle injury after scoring six points and pulling in three rebounds during his only appearance with the purple and gold.
Despite the short time with another franchise, Mangas couldn’t stay away from Indiana. He’s coming back to the Pacers/Mad Ants in 2024-25 on another Exhibit 10 contract, meaning this will be the first time he plays for the same organization in consecutive seasons since becoming a pro basketball player.
“Really looking forward to coming back,” Mangas said. He enjoyed the Mad Ants coaching staff and the ability to use Indiana’s facilities, which made returning an easy choice.
Currently, the young wing is rehabbing from that aforementioned ankle injury. But he’s ready to hit the ground running in his second season within the Pacers organization. “Hope we have a really good year again and try to make a run at it. Winning the G league championship would be pretty cool,” he said. It would be a fitting chapter in an Indiana basketball story.
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Indiana
Adam Berry: Welcoming tech with open arms fosters a strong Indiana
![Adam Berry: Welcoming tech with open arms fosters a strong Indiana Adam Berry: Welcoming tech with open arms fosters a strong Indiana](https://www.therepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/133591712_web1_AdamBerry.jpg)
Indiana
FBI looks into 'objects' put on breakfast of Indiana DNC delegates
![FBI looks into 'objects' put on breakfast of Indiana DNC delegates FBI looks into 'objects' put on breakfast of Indiana DNC delegates](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/19/2024-DNC_AP24231698558375.jpg)
(WISH) — “Unknown objects” were placed on breakfast food Wednesday at the hotel housing the Indiana delegation to the National Democratic Convention, police say.
One law enforcement source told CNN that authorities believe activists brought the maggots into the Fairmont Hotel, and that Chicago Police Department and the FBI in Chicago were investigating.
Several women entered the hotel and put the “unknown objects” on the tables that already had food on them, a police statement said.
“One victim was treated and released on-scene,” the police statement added.
The DNC said in a statement that it happened about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday at a building in the 200 block of North Columbus Drive.
Fairmont Hotel spokesperson Haley Robles said in a statement, “We can confirm that a group of individuals caused a disruption at a DNC-related breakfast event at our hotel this morning. Our team acted immediately to clean and sanitize the area, ensuring that the event could continue without further incident. We maintain the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness throughout our property and have strict protocols in place to handle any disruptions.”
News reports say delegates from Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and South Dakota are staying at the hotel.
Sam Barloga of the Indiana delegation issued a statement: “The safety and well-being of our delegation is our top priority. All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy. We thank the security team for responding swiftly.”
Indiana
Indiana high school football Super 25 rankings: Check out Week 1 statewide poll
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IHSAA football: Counting down top-10 Class 6A Central Indiana teams
Insider Kyle Neddenriep counts down top-10 teams in Class 6A in Central Indiana
In addition to our USA TODAY Network Indiana high school football poll, which is voted on by a statewide group of media members, we are also unveiling an IndyStar Super 25 this season, which will rank the top-25 teams in the state regardless of class. My power poll going into the season:
1. Ben Davis: The defending champs in Class 6A are the top dog until proven otherwise. Friday’s game: vs. Cathedral.
2. Warren Central: I’m high on the Warriors going into the season with their talented and veteran defense. Friday’s game: at Fort Wayne Snider.
3. Center Grove: The Trojans were an overtime loss away from playing for a fourth consecutive 6A title last November. Friday’s game: vs. Westfield.
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Indiana high school football preview: Everything you need to know for season
4. Crown Point: The Bulldogs are well-positioned to become a 6A power after last year’s 13-1 and state finals appearance. Friday’s game: vs. Lowell.
5. Westfield: The Shamrocks probably overachieved last year to reach the semistate and bring back a lot of familiar faces. Friday’s game: at Center Grove.
6. Hamilton Southeastern: The Royals have started 4-0 each of the past three seasons. Friday’s game: at Carroll (Fort Wayne).
7. Brownsburg: The Bulldogs are 36-5 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference games since 2018. Friday’s game: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger.
8. Carroll (Fort Wayne): The Chargers reached the 6A state finals two years ago before going 7-3 last year and falling to Warsaw in the sectional. Friday’s game: Hamilton Southeastern.
9. Carmel: The Greyhounds should have a more explosive offense with junior Anthony Coellner going into his second year as quarterback. Friday’s game: Homestead.
10. Lawrence North: The Wildcats are a sleeper coming off a 7-4 season and a lot of talent, including Indiana recruit Davion Chandler at receiver. Friday’s game: at Lawrence Central.
11. Cathedral: The Irish have a brutally tough schedule, but it can only help in the long run. Right? Friday’s game: at Ben Davis.
12. Fishers: The Tigers lost a lot on defense from a year ago but junior Gage Sturgill is a talented quarterback and Stanford commit JonAnthony Hall should have a big season. Friday’s game: at North Central.
13. Decatur Central: A year ago, the Hawks were coming off a 4-7 season and made a run to the 5A state finals. Could this be the program’s first state title team? Friday’s game: Columbus North.
14. Franklin Central: Sophomore defensive end Jayce Brewer has a bright future. Friday’s game: vs. Perry Meridian.
15. New Palestine: The Dragons, ranked preseason No. 1 in Class 4A, look like a better team than last year’s group that reached the semistate. Friday’s game: vs. Kokomo.
16. Penn: New coach Pete Riordan has a lot of new pieces. The Kingsmen were only a point away from knocking off Crown Point in last year’s regional.
17. Fort Wayne Snider: Last year’s 5A state champion moves up a class but also has one of the best players around in Notre Dame recruit Brandon Logan. Friday’s game: vs. Warren Central.
18. Bishop Chatard: No program has more state titles than Chatard at 17. Can the Trojans make it 18 in Class 4A? Friday’s game: at Brebeuf Jesuit.
19. Noblesville: The Millers need one of those breakthrough wins this season against the Hoosier Crossroads Conference’s top teams. Friday’s game: vs. Mt. Vernon.
20. Lawrence Central: Junior quarterback Terry Walker III, recently offered by Virginia, should have a big season. Friday’s game: at Lawrence Central.
21. Whiteland: Senior Slate Valentine rushed for 1,940 yards and 20 TDs as a junior. Friday’s game: vs. Jeffersonville.
22. Merrillville: The Pirates won a 5A regional last year before running into the Fort Wayne Snider buzzsaw in the semistate, falling 28-0. Friday’s game: vs. Andrean.
23. Avon: Expect the Orioles to be vastly improved going into Rob Gibson’s second season. Friday’s game: at Lafayette Jeff.
24. Lutheran: The Class 2A top-ranked Saints have won 43 consecutive games. Friday’s game: vs. Christel House Manual.
25. Valparaiso: The Vikings won a Class 5A state title in 2022, then finished 9-3 last season and lost 24-20 to Merrillville in the regional. Friday’s game: at Penn.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
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