National analyst provides tidbits on Indiana basketball pro day

It was the second annual pro day for the Indiana basketball program on Friday where all 30 NBA teams were in attendance.

Indiana head coach Mike Woodson brought the pro day to Indiana last season, showcasing All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis and five-star point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. Shortly after the event, whispers began coming out about the play of Hood-Schifino. That eventually progressed into a Big Ten Freshman of the Year season for Hood-Schifino and a first round selection in the 2023 NBA Draft. Jackson-Davis was also selected in the second round of the draft.

“I think when you’ve got high expectations and you’ve got a few players that might have a crack at playing at the next level, it’s okay to invite the NBA world into your life,” Woodson said last year about the first pro day. “I’m not afraid of that. I don’t think it put any added pressure on our players.”

‘High expectations’ surround a few notable players in year three for Woodson at Indiana. Most notably are previous five-star prospects Kel’el Ware and Mackenzie Mgbako. Both enter the 2023-24 season with potential first round grades in the 2024 NBA Draft.

While it was reported that Ware was a non-participant on Friday due to an injury, there were some tidbits about some of the other key players.

According to national basketball insider Jeff Goodman, an NBA executive who was in attendance mentioned a few names that stood out.

Below are quotes from the executive to Goodman.

On Mackenzie Mgbako: “He shot it well, plays hard and has good size. He shot it very well from 3. I worry about his athleticism, but he also has a chance to be a first-round pick.”

On Malik Reneau: “Good passer, can score inside. He’ll be a good player for them. He’s gotten better and plays hard.”

On Xavier Johnson: “He looked like himself. My question is whether Indiana had another ball handler to help him.”

The Indiana basketball program ranks seventh among all Division I programs with 27 players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft since its inception in 1947. The Hoosiers also rank second among Big Ten teams in first-round picks and are one of five conference schools with at least 20 first-round selections.

In total, Indiana has produced two No. 1 overall picks, tied for third in the NCAA.

Overall, the program has 79 total players drafted.

Indiana begins its season on November 7 against Florida Gulf Coast.