Indiana high schools boast a tradition of producing top caliber basketball players.
Through the 2009-2010 NBA season, 152 Hoosier athletes have played professional basketball in the world's top league.
Considering the size of the state (population 6.4 million),[3] this makes Indiana high schools by far the most successful at developing NBA players per capita.
The state's unparalleled ability to produce NBA talent, both statewide and specifically in smaller towns, is featured in this Deadspin article.
The Franklin Wonder Five, led by Fuzzy Vandivier, was the first team to win the state championship in three consecutive years, from 1920 to 1922.
After Milan's Miracle in the 1950s, no school with an enrollment of less than 500 won another boys' State title under the all-comers format.
Starting with the 1997–1998 season, Indiana established a controversial four-class system for its basketball championship, although many other sports remain single-class.
The state's move to this new system has, to some extent, diminished the phenomenon and public opinion is widely split on the merits of "class basketball."
Crispus Attucks repeated as champions in 1956, becoming the first Indiana high school team to complete a season undefeated.
[6] Hoosier hysteria may have its roots firmly planted in the high school game, but the college tradition brings its own depth to Indiana's passion.
And in Division II St. Joseph's and the University of Indianapolis have added their own successes to the legend of Indiana basketball.
The Indiana Fever of the WNBA, also owned by Melvin & Herb Simon, are the Pacers' sister team and also play in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament began a five-year stint at the then Conseco Fieldhouse in 2008.
Here follows a list of notable Indiana natives, as well as non-natives who were raised in the state, who have achieved success in basketball.