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2017-18 Pacers Player Reviews: Ike Anigbogu

By Tony East

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 of the Indiana Pacers
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. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What’s Next for Ike?

Ike is set to make $1,378,242 next season, but only about half ($650,000) is guaranteed. The Pacers front office has to decide if Ike’s potential is worth keeping around at that price.

Al Jefferson thinks so. When I talked to Jefferson about Ike during the season, he had tremendously nice things to say. “Ike I’m very jealous of, because… look at him. I’ve been in the league all this time and I don’t have a body like that.” Jefferson said. “He’s got all the tools”.

The framework is there for Anigbogu to be an impactful NBA player. Unfortunately, the path to getting playing time is a challenging one for him in Indiana. He will be stuck behind at least Sabonis and Turner in the rotation this coming season if he sticks around, and possibly more guys if the Pacers bring someone else in. It could be hard for him to touch the floor.

But he’s healthy now, which means he will get to play in Vegas summer league. Given that he is talented and has a year of NBA experience, he should dominate there.

Next: Domantas Sabonis: Breaking down season one with the Indiana Pacers

If he doesn’t dominate in Vegas, then it might to time to be concerned about what Ike could bring to the table. But he showed enough flashes of competence in year one to earn another season to grow. Anigbogu isn’t quite ready to contribute yet. But he could be closer than you think.

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