Best Indiana Pacers Player from Arizona St.: Freddie Lewis
One of the greatest Pacers of all time, Freddie Lewis was a member of the team during all three of its ABA Championships. He played one season in the NBA before making the move to the ABA with Indiana in 1967-68.
That season, Lewis was the team’s leading scorer with 20.6 points per game and added 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
The Pacers won ABA championships in 1970, 1972, and 1973 with Lewis earning the Playoff MVP honor in 1972. A dominant playoff performer, he averaged 18.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the postseason.
For his eight-year Pacer career, Lewis averaged 16.1 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds while making four All-Star appearances. He was traded from Indiana during the 1974-75 seasons but returned for 32 games in 1976-77.
Lewis is currently on the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame ballot with many expecting his eventual induction.
Best Indiana Pacers Player from California: Phil Chenier
A three-time all-star and 1975 All-NBA honoree during his time with Washington (1971-79), Chenier was one of the premier shooting guards in the league to start his career. A season-ending injury during Washington’s 1978-79 NBA Championship quickly sent him into the twilight of his career.
Chenier was traded to the Pacers in February of the following season where he appeared in 23 games before being waived. He averaged 5.4 points and scored in double figures five times during his time with Indiana.
Until 2017, Chenier was the color analyst for Washington’s television broadcast for 30 years.