Former IU stars Eric Gordon, D.J. White play in Indy Pro AM game

Locked out by their professional teams, NBA players hit the courts Saturday at the University of Indianapolis as the Indy Pro AM took on the Goodman League.

Former IU basketball players Eric Gordon and D.J. White were two of 14 NBA players who took part in the contest. Gordon and White played for the Indy-based team along with other NBA stars.

They faced the Goodman team which included former Georgetown forward Jeff Green and former Kentucky stars DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall.

The Goodman League is from Washington D.C., and since the NBA having officially canceled preseason games, more cities are starting to form teams with NBA players to travel around the country to play one another.

The Goodman League won this game 170-167.

Gordon led the way with 40 points for Indy Pro AM, and White scored 12.

Gordon said before the game he has used the off-season to work on his ball-handling and post-up moves.

He said one of the benefits of the lockout is a chance to see his former college team in action.

“I follow the program more than what people think,” Gordon said. “I watch all their games, and hopefully since this lockout is in place, I will be able to go to them.”

Growing up in Indianapolis, Gordon said Indiana is a true basketball state, and IU Coach Tom Crean’s Hoosiers are ready to be back on top.

“He’s got a lot of good players coming in, a lot of good guards from what I see,” Gordon said. “They should be able to change. They’re talented enough, so it’s all up to the players to do what they need to do to get IU back.”

White said he still follows the Hoosiers and visits Crean when he is in the Bloomington area. For the 2008 Big Ten Player of the Year, the state of Indiana’s love of basketball compares to his home state’s enthusiasm about another sport.

“There’s a lot of love as far as basketball,” White said of Indiana. “Me coming from a football state in Alabama, it’s a special place. There’s a lot of people passionate about basketball. That was one thing that drew me here (to Indiana).”

The starters for the Indy team on Saturday night were Gordon, White, Gordon Hayward, Josh McRoberts and Mike Conley, Jr. Coming off the bench were JaJuan Johnson, Zach Randolph and Jeff Teague.

Gordon’s 40 points came on 16-32 shooting and 6-16 from behind the arc. He also led Indy with nine assists.

In a game that was high-paced and at times a bit sloppy with a combined 40 turnovers, it was Gordon’s shooting that kept his team in it, especially during the third quarter when he made all four of his 3-point attempts. However, the fatigue of playing 44 minutes seemed to get to Gordon in the fourth, as he went 0-6 from deep.

White was productive in the first half, scoring eight points on 3-7 shooting. He only attempted one field goal in the second half and finished the night with 12 points and six rebounds.

Starters for the Goodman League included Wall, Cousins, Green, Lance Stephenson and Paul George. The Goodman League also played Shelvin Mack, who was supposed to be on the Indy team along with George and Stephenson.

Wall was dominant all night, playing all 48 minutes, scoring 41 points on 16-26 shooting, handing out 12 assists and grabbing 11 rebounds.

His college teammate Cousins had his way down low with 33 points and 15 rebounds.
Green (35 points and 12 rebounds) and George (24 points and 11 rebounds) also had double-doubles for the victorious Goodman League.

“(It’s for) bragging rights and for the fans,” White said about the meaning of the game. “Lots of NBA super stars and a lot of people don’t get this opportunity to see a lot of guys up close and personal. We wanted to put a show on and win for the city.”