Former IU basketball star and Assembly Ball guard a ‘name to watch’ for the The Basketball Tournament

It is officially gameday for one of the most anticipated days for Hoosier Nation as tonight, an IU basketball themed TBT team will kickoff action vs The Cru (Valparaiso Alumni) in the first round of the Butler Region at Hinkle Fieldhouse at 8:00 pm ET on the Big Ten Network. Assembly Ball, the name of the Hoosier alumni squad, is listed as the No. 1 seed as they try to make it all the way to Philadelphia (PA) in hopes of winning the $1M prize.

While there are a few players on this Assembly Ball team that are not affiliated with the IU basketball program, the majority of the roster are former Hoosier standouts from year’s past. Those names include players such as Jordan Hulls, Race Thompson, Miller Kopp, DeVonte Green, Juwan Morgan, Noah Vonleh, and Troy Williams.

However, there may not be a player that IU basketball fans are more excited to watch for Assembly Ball than one of the best points to ever put on an Indiana jersey, Yogi Ferrell. The all-time leader in assists for IU basketball is certainly a name to watch for the TBT.

“Yes, there will be an Indiana Hoosiers great suiting up at Hinkle Fieldhouse in a region rich with history and tradition,” FOX Sports Collège Basketball Reporter John Fanta wrote. “Ferrell was a 2016 All-American and two-time All-Big Ten selection. He went undrafted after a Sweet 16 season in 2016 but still overcame that, earning second-team All-NBA Rookie honors while with the Mavericks. He played five years in the NBA before going to Slovenia and winning two league championships while with Cedevita Olimpija.”

The anticipation for Yogi Ferrell to reunite with his former IU basketball teammates is real

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

He played in a total of 259 games during his NBA career where he averaged 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 20 minuets per game. He was also named a part of the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in the 2016-17 season.

Despite having a short yet solid NBA career Yogi Ferrell is mostly known for his time playing for Indiana from 2012-16 where he became ones of the all-time great Hoosier guards in program history. During his time with the Hoosiers, he reached accolades such as 2× First-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2016), Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2013), and Second-team All-Big Ten (2014), Big Ten All-Defensive team (2016).

He also helped lead the Hoosiers to two Big Ten regular season championships (2013, 2016) while also becoming the all-time leader in assists in program history.

Before coming to Indiana, the Park Tudor (IN) product was a 2012 McDonald’s All-American.

It was recently announced that Yogi Ferrell will be teaming up with Juwan Morgan once again for the KK Budućnost of the Montenegrin Basketball League, Adriatic League, and Eurocup.

SEE ALSO: Former Indiana basketball big man Kel’el Ware continuing to be one of the standout rookies with his third double-double: ‘Each game I want to go in and prove more and more’

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