A spotlight on the Pacers' G League team, the Indiana Mad Ants

Did you know that the Indiana Pacers share a home with another professional basketball team at Gainbridge Fieldhouse? Thats right! The Indiana Mad Ants also play their home games in downtown Indianapolis.

Previously, the Mad Ants played in Fort Wayne. Last year was the first year that the team played in Indianapolis. This will be the second and last year for the Mad Ants playing in Indianapolis as they will relocate once more to nearby Noblesville, Indiana. But before we look ahead to next season, let's get you more familiar with the Indiana Pacers' G League affiliate.

Why are they called the 'Mad Ants?'

Fort Wayne, Indiana, lost out on professional basketball teams twice in the city's history--once the sale of the Zollner Pistons was completed in 1974 and a second time when the Fort Wayne Fury of the CBA ceased operations in 2001.

The team is said to have gotten its name from "Mad" Anthony Wayne. He was the fifth Senior Officer of the United States Army. He served during the time George Washington was in office as the country's first president.

Other states have followed the mantle of naming a city after the American legend. Thus, the team was deemed the Mad Ants when it originated in northwest Indiana in the city of Fort Wayne.

How long have the Mad Ants been in existence?

It was announced in April of 2007 that the Indiana Mad Ants would make their debut in the 2007-08 season. The team had prior affiliations with the Detroit Pistons, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Charlotte Bobcats.

In the fall of 2015, then-owner and president John Zeglis sold the franchise to Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Once the Mad Ants dropped the other affiliated teams, Brian Levy was then named the general manager of the team.

During May 2023, the team announced it would temporarily play in Indianapolis as it awaits their venue, Noblesville Event Center, to be constructed. This is what prompted the rebranding to match the colors of the Indiana Pacers. Another rebrand is expected upon the team's move to Noblesville.

Who are some notable names on the Indiana Mad Ants?

Guard Quenton Jackson is one of the premier players on the roster. NBA fans may recognize him from the Pacers' 2024 Summer League. In the Pacers' five summer league games, he averaged 11 points on 62.5% shooting from the floor.

Forward Enrique Freeman is another summer league player for the Pacers. He averaged 8.2 points a game while also shooting over 60% from the floor, too. Freeman managed to haul in an average of 4.4 rebounds during the five-game stint.

Just like Jackson and Freeman, Tristen Newton played in all five games this past Summer League. He scored nine points a game thanks to his 89% average from the free throw line. Newton was also good for 3.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists a contest, too.

One last player that people may remember on the Mad Ants is former Duke Blue Devil standout Jahlil Okafor, who signed with the team ahead of training camp. The veteran big man was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005. The 28-year-old last played in the NBA with the Pistons in 2021.

The current head coach of the Mad Ants is Tom Hankins. He is the seventh coach in franchise history. Chris Taylor is the acting general manager for the team.

How can someone go watch a game?

The team's website can be found at Indiana Mad Ants. General admission tickets are typically $10 and also available through Ticketmaster. If you are interested in season tickets, you can reach out to Tim Bawmann at tbawmann@pacers.com for those.

As of Monday, the Mad Ants have four more home games this month and five in the month of December. Their home finale is on Monday, March 24 against cross-state rival, the Windy City Bulls.