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Ike Anigbogu headed back to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants

By Ben Gibson

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Ike Anigbogu #13 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 25, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Ike Anigbogu #13 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 25, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Ike Anigbogu is headed back to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, but right now that’s what’s best for him and the Indiana Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers announced on Wednesday that Ike Anigbogu is headed back down to the G-League to join the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

While there have been questions about why he wasn’t getting minutes over Al Jefferson earlier in the season, it’s easy to forget just how raw he is. I wanted to start calling him Sushi since he is so raw, but I realized that nickname likely wouldn’t stick nor was that great of a nickname.

His stats in his two G-League games so far are good — averaging 12 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a block a game — but those aren’t exactly overwhelming, either. His offense was acceptable but his defense wasn’t as good as you’d expect from someone hyped up as a defender coming out of college.

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Anigbogu’s the youngest NBA player at 19 years (and 39 days) old. He came out of UCLA after just one season and was drafted in the 2nd round by Indiana. While at one point he was projected as a first-round pick, injuries and absolute rawness let him slide down into the second round.

Right now, he isn’t NBA ready despite playing a total of 17 minutes in 6 games. He only made one of his 5 shots and his defense wasn’t evident.

But all of this is expected. Ike is young but has the body of an NBA player. Sending him back down to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants lets him develop his game instead of waiting around for garbage time opportunities with the Pacers.

Considering the Pacers already have Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, and Thaddeus Young ahead of him, there is little reason for him to be with the NBA team. On the Mad Ants, Anigbogu gets the chance to hone his skills and prove he belongs in the NBA.

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Anigbogu gets his next chance to play on December 2 when the Mad Ants take on the Westchester Knicks.

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