The NBA Draft is heating up, and three Indiana natives are set to showcase their skills at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago from May 10-17. Leading the pack is Purdue's Braden Smith, the Boilermakers' All-American point guard and the NCAA's all-time assists leader. Smith, who rewrote the record books at Westfield High School before becoming Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 2022, has been invited alongside 72 other prospects.

Smith's college career at Purdue was nothing short of legendary. Over four seasons, he averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 assists per game, earning first-team All-America honors in back-to-back years (2024-25 and 2025-26) and the Big Ten Player of the Year award in 2024-25. His 1,103 career assists shattered the previous NCAA Division I record of 1,076 set by Duke's Bobby Hurley, while his 1,932 career points placed him eighth on Purdue's all-time scoring list. More importantly, he was the engine behind the Boilermakers' deep postseason runs, including three Sweet 16s, two Elite Eights, a Final Four, and a national championship game appearance in 2024.

Joining Smith at the combine are two other familiar faces to Indiana basketball fans. Flory Bidunga, the former Kokomo and Kansas star, has transferred to Louisville but kept his name in the draft. Meanwhile, Peter Suder, a former Carmel High School standout, earned his invite after a stellar season at Miami (Ohio), where he led the RedHawks to a 32-2 record and was named MAC Player of the Year.

For fans of Indiana basketball, this year's combine is a must-watch. Whether you're pulling for Smith's playmaking wizardry, Bidunga's athleticism, or Suder's all-around game, these three represent the best of Hoosier State hoops on the national stage. Keep an eye on Chicago as the next chapter of their basketball journeys begins.