Fort Wayne Mad Ants have the talent to be great in 2022-23 NBA G League season

The Mad Ants season begins this Saturday when they take on the Grand Rapids Gold. Training camp began for the team two weeks ago.

"The thing that stands out the most is their ability to get along," Mad Ants head coach Tom Hankins, who is also an assistant coach for the Pacers, said of his team. "They've been competitive, but they've also helped each other out. The vets are helping the rookies."

Hankins has been the coach of the G League club for the past two seasons and is entering year three guiding the Mad Ants. Several players have emerged into NBA talents and extended their time in the pros since Hankins took over, including Cassius Stanley, Amida Brimah, Oshae Brissett, Terry Taylor, Keifer Sykes, Justin Anderson, Nate Hinton, and Gabe York. Fort Wayne is 23-26 under Hankins.

The Mad Ants will attempt to play somewhat like the Pacers, and they will use the same terminology for defense and play calls. If a player gets called up to Indiana, knowing the proper diction on the court shouldn't be a hurdle. Hankins has the option to slightly tweak the team's playstyle as he sees fit for the G League group, which could be needed for the squad at times — the Mad Ants have more wings then the Pacers do.

"As far as a regular G League season... this is probably as deep of a team as we've had," Hankins said of his team.

Once Brown appears in a regular season NBA game, the Mad Ants will have seven players on the roster with NBA experience, including three who have suited up for NBA playoff games. This group has the potential to be very good, especially if some of their rookies pop.

"From what I've learned is we have a lot more playmakers... we have guys who can really shoot the ball," Anderson said of the team in training camp. Many members of the roster came in early for camp this year and scrimmaged together.

Many people have praised Queen's skill since he joined the Pacers organization, both at the NBA and G League level. The 2022 G League Finals MVP played in ten games for the Houston Rockets last season and scored 43 points in 74 minutes. His offensive skills are impressive and could make the Mad Ants dangerous.

"Trevelin Queen is somebody that everyone needs to come out and see play," Hankins said, adding that he believes Queen will be back in the NBA in the not-so-distant future.

The Mad Ants have more talent, more time with their coaching staff and leadership, and heightened goals. They have added a board in their locker rooms — both in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne — that show all of the NBA call ups in team history. The team wants to develop talent and wants to win.

Given how strong the roster looks, they should have no problem doing that this season.