| Indiana Mad Ants | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | Eastern |
| League | NBA G League |
| Founded | 2007 |
| History | Fort Wayne Mad Ants 2007–2023 Indiana Mad Ants 2023–2025 |
| Arena | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Team colors | Navy blue, gold, cool gray[1][2][3] |
| General manager | Chris Taylor[4] |
| Head coach | Tom Hankins |
| Ownership | Pacers Sports and Entertainment (PS&E) |
| Affiliation(s) | Indiana Pacers |
| Championships | 1 (2014) |
| Conference titles | 2 (2014,2015) |
| Division titles | 2 (2014,2018) |
| Tip–Off Tournament titles | 0 |
| Retired numbers | 2 (17,19) |
| Website | fortwayne |
TheIndiana Mad Ants are an American professional basketball team based inIndianapolis, Indiana that competes in theNBA G League. The Mad Ants are the affiliate team of theNBA'sIndiana Pacers and, since 2023, they have played their home games atGainbridge Fieldhouse, which they share with the Pacers.
From2007 to2023, the team played inFort Wayne'sAllen County War Memorial Coliseum and was known as theFort Wayne Mad Ants. Following the2024–25 season, the team will move toNoblesville and play their games at theNoblesville Event Center.
The franchise won their first and only championship in2013–14, and lost in the2014–15 finals, when the G League was known as the NBA D-League. In September 2015, Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E), parent company of the Indiana Pacers, purchased the Mad Ants.[5]
In April 2007, theNBA Development League (D–League) announced it was expanding to Fort Wayne for the2007–08 season, with formerAT&T PresidentJohn Zeglis as the team's president and part owner.[6] The team was poised to be the first minor league basketball franchise to play in Fort Wayne since theFort Wayne Fury were disbanded after the folding of theContinental Basketball Association in 2001. The franchise held a team-naming contest on their website where fans could vote on one of the four finalists:Lightning,Fire,Coyotes, andMad Ants, the latter name being a tribute to the city's namesake"Mad" Anthony Wayne.[7]
At the team's inception, theFort Wayne Mad Ants were affiliated with theDetroit Pistons andIndiana Pacers, while debuting their maroon, gold, and black colors. During the2007 NBA D–League Draft, the Mad Ants notably selectedRon Howard,Larry Turner, andLukasz Obrzut. They finished the2007–08 season, their first in the D-League, with a 17–33 record that put them in last place in the Central Division.Jeremy Richardson was selected to the 2008All–Star Game, and was awarded the 2008All-Star Game MVP Award. Their inaugural season also included playersDahntay Jones,Walker Russell Jr.,Sammy Mejía, andEarl Calloway.
The Mad Ants added theMilwaukee Bucks as their third affiliate for the2008–09 season, ending the year with a 19–31 record. The franchise posted three more under-.500 records in the next three years, in2009–10,2010–11, and2011–12, failing to make the playoffs in their first five years of competition. Across these seasons, the franchise had numerous players selected to theAll–Star Game:Chris Hunter (2009),Ron Howard &Rob Kurz (2010),Walker Russell Jr. (2009, 2011, 2012), andDarnell Lazare (2012).Chris Hunter (2009) andRob Kurz (2010) were selected to theAll-NBA D League Second Team. The franchise also featured playersAlex Acker,Oliver Lafayette,Joe Alexander,Larry Sanders,Chris Kramer,Marvin Phillips,Corey Allmond,Vernon Macklin,Stephen Graham, andTravis Walton.
The Mad Ants added theCharlotte Bobcats as their fourth NBA affiliate before in the2012–13 season. In the2012 D–League Draft, the Mad Ants selectedJaJuan Johnson first overall. This season saw assignments fromNBA playersKhris Middleton,Miles Plumlee,Orlando Johnson,Kim English, andLuke Harangody.Tony Mitchell earned 2013Rookie of the Year, 2013Slam Dunk Champion, 2013All-NBA D League First Team, and 2013 All-NBA D League Rookie Team. They made the D–League playoffs for the first time in 2013, losing to theSanta Cruz Warriors in the quarterfinals after a 27–23 regular season.
The next year, in the2013–14 season, the Mad Ants won their division and conference with a 34–16 record and made it to the 2014D–League Finals for the first time after beating theSioux Falls Skyforce in the semifinals and theReno Bighorns in the quarterfinals.[8] The Mad Ants defeated theSanta Cruz Warriors in two games in the Finals to claim their first D–League title, becoming the third franchise to go undefeated in the playoffs (6–0).[9] In back–to–back seasons,Tony Mitchell won the 2014Slam Dunk Contest while being selected 2014All-NBA D League Third Team.Solomon Hill,Adreian Payne, andSadiel Rojas all appeared for the Mad Ants this year.Ron Howard won back–to–backSportsmanship Awards in 2013 and 2014, before hisD–League retirement, finishing top 5 inmost points scored in D-League history with 4,325 career points.
In 2014, as most NBA teams began exclusively partnering with or acquiring their own D–League teams, the Mad Ants made affiliate partnerships with the rest of the teams that did not have exclusive affiliates: theAtlanta Hawks, theChicago Bulls, theBrooklyn Nets, theDenver Nuggets, theLos Angeles Clippers, theMinnesota Timberwolves, theNew Orleans Pelicans, thePortland Trail Blazers, theToronto Raptors, and theWashington Wizards. This put the Mad Ants' total number of NBA affiliates at 14 for the2014–15 season. As a result, the Mad Ants earned the 2015NBA D League Development Champion Award for developing players such asJordan Crawford,Noah Vonleh,Mike Muscala,Russ Smith,John Jenkins,Bruno Caboclo,Glen Rice Jr., andC.J. Wilcox. The Mad Ants reached theD–League Finals again in 2015, but lost the championship series to theSanta Cruz Warriors in two games.
By 2015, the Mad Ants were the only remaining independently owned team in the D-League, as the rest were owned and operated by an NBA team or a common parent organization.[10] However, in September 2015, Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) purchased the Mad Ants from owner and presidentJohn Zeglis and made the team theIndiana Pacers' one-to-one D-League affiliate, dropping the rest of the Mad Ants' partnerships. Brian Levy was named general manager by PS&E.[11] The team acquiredWalter Lemon Jr. andStephan Hicks in the2015 D–League Draft before the2015–16 season. The team missed the playoffs, finishing with a 20–30 record.Rakeem Christmas was selected to the 2016All–Star Game.Glenn Robinson III,Joe Young,Shayne Whittington, andTerran Petteway also made appearances this season.
During the2016–17 season, the franchise qualified for the playoffs with a 30–20 record, losing in three games to theMaine Red Claws in the semifinals.Alex Poythress was selected to the 2017All–NBA D–League Second Team andAll–NBA D–League Rookie Team.Tyler Hansbrough,Georges Niang,Marquis Teague,John Lucas III,Christian Watford, andJarrod Uthoff all made appearances for the Mad Ants during this season.
Before the2017–18 season, the Mad Ants rebranded and changed their colors to match the Pacers: navy blue, gold, cool gray and white. The NBA Development League was rebranded as theNBA G League this season following a sponsorship deal withGatorade and the NBA. They finished the season 29–21, winning the Central Division, and qualifying for the playoffs where they lost in the semifinals to theErie BayHawks.DeQuan Jones earned the 2018Most Improved Player Award and won the 2018Slam Dunk Contest.Walter Lemon Jr. also earned 2018All–NBA G League Third Team honors.Edmond Sumner,T. J. Leaf,Ike Anigbogu, andBen Moore all debuted for the Mad Ants this year.
The Mad Ants compiled a 23–27 record in the2018–19 season, failing to make the playoffs.Alize Johnson andDavon Reed both played for the team this season.
The next year, the Mad Ants held a 21–22 record before the2019–20 season was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.Hasheem Thabeet,Goga Bitadze,JaKarr Sampson,Naz Mitrou-Long, andBrian Bowen II all played during the cancelled season.
The Mad Ants spent the2020–21 season at the G League single site inOrlando, Florida during theCOVID-19 pandemic, posting a 6–9 record, missing the playoffs. The Mad Ants selectedOshae Brissett 21st overall in the2021 NBA G League Draft and later earned 2021All–NBA G League Second Team.[12]Cassius Stanley,Jalen Lecque, andAmida Brimah all suited up for the Mad Ants during the shortened season.
For the2021–22 season, the franchise returned to their home court at theAllen County War Memorial Coliseum on November 6, 2021, playing their first home game in the venue in 608 days against theWindy City Bulls. This game also marked the start of the Mad Ants' 15th Anniversary season. The Mad Ants missed the playoffs with a 17–17 record.Justin Anderson was named to the 2022All–NBA G League First Team.Terry Taylor,Duane Washington Jr., andKeifer Sykes also played for Fort Wayne this season.
During the2022–23 season, the team's last inFort Wayne, the Mad Ants returned to the playoffs with an 18–14 record, losing in the quarterfinals toCapital City Go-Go.Trevelin Queen andGabe York were both selected to the 2023 Next Up Game whileJustin Anderson was appointed 2023All–NBA G League Third Team. Other players this season includedChris Duarte,Isaiah Jackson,David Stockton,Pedro Bradshaw, andNorvel Pelle.
On May 8, 2023, the Indiana Pacers announced that they were moving the Mad Ants toIndianapolis in preparation for construction of theNoblesville Event Center, a new 3,400–seat venue, inNoblesville, Indiana.[13] Upon their move to Indianapolis, the Mad Ants rebranded as theIndiana Mad Ants. The name is meant to last until their move to Noblesville, which will be accompanied by a new name, color scheme, and mascot.[14]
During the2023–24 season, their first season playing atGainbridge Fieldhouse, the Mad Ants finished with a 21–13 regular season record, claiming the 3rd seed in the playoffs where they were defeated by theDelaware Blue Coats. They also earned a 15–2 record and the 1st seed in the 2023 Showcase Cup, though they ultimately lost in the finals to theWestchester Knicks.Oscar Tshiebwe was selected 2024Rookie of the Year, 2024All–NBA G League First Team, as well as 2024 All–NBA G League Rookie Team, after leading the league in rebounding and set a new G League single–season rebounding record with 16.2 rebounds per game.[15]Elfrid Payton was selected 2024All–NBA G League Third Team after leading the league in assists at 9.1 per game. Furthermore, Tshiebwe,Isaiah Wong, andKyle Mangas were all selected to the 2024 Next Up Game, while Tshiebwe participated in the 2024 NBARising Stars Challenge atAll-Star Weekend.Stephan Hicks was named the inaugural winner of the "Ron Howard Mr. Mad Ant Award."[16] This season also featuredJarace Walker,Ben Sheppard,Quenton Jackson,Jordan Bell,Kendall Brown, andMojave King.
Before the2024–25 season, theNBA'sG League Ignite folded, resulting inDavid Stockton's player defer rights being transferred back to the Mad Ants. On September 26, 2024, Stockton's returning player rights were traded to theValley Suns expansion team in exchange for the returning player rights ofJahlil Okafor andGarrison Brooks from the2024 Expansion Draft.[17] On October 3, 2024, as a result ofElfrid Payton signing a training camp deal with theNew Orleans Pelicans, the Mad Ants traded him to theBirmingham Squadron for the rights toLanders Nolley II.[18] The Mad Ants earned a 7–9 record during the 2024 Winter Showcase, failing to make the Tip–Off Tournament playoffs.Jahlil Okafor was selected to the 2024 All Showcase team. Furthermore, Okafor andKeisei Tominaga were both selected to the 2025 Up Next Game. On March 6, 2025, the Mad Ants acquiredBoogie Ellis from theStockton Kings in a three–team trade, sendingKyle Mangas to theAustin Spurs. On March 24, 2025, the Mad Ants officially retired number 17 in honor ofStephan Hicks before a game against theWindy City Bulls who retired following the season. Additional players who joined the Mad Ants for their final season in Indianapolis includedJohnny Furphy,Tristen Newton,Enrique Freeman,RayJ Dennis,Dakota Mathias, andKris Wilkes.
| Season / Year | Division / Conference | Regular season | Postseason results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Wins | Losses | Pct. | ||||||
| Fort Wayne Mad Ants | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | Central | 4th | 17 | 33 | .340 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2008–09 | Central | 5th | 19 | 31 | .380 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2009–10 | Eastern | 5th | 22 | 28 | .440 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2010–11 | Eastern | 3rd | 24 | 26 | .480 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2011–12 | Eastern | 8th | 14 | 36 | .280 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2012–13 | Eastern | 2nd | 27 | 23 | .540 | Lost Quarterfinal (Santa Cruz) 0–2 | |||
| 2013–14 | Eastern | 1st | 34 | 16 | .680 | Won Quarterfinal (Reno) 2–0 Won Semifinals (Sioux Falls) 2–0 Won Championship (Santa Cruz) 2–0 | |||
| 2014–15 | Central | 2nd | 28 | 22 | .560 | Won Quarterfinal (Maine) 2–0 Won Semifinals (Canton) 2–0 Lost Championship (Santa Cruz) 0–2 | |||
| 2015–16 | Central | 5th | 20 | 30 | .400 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2016–17 | Central | 2nd | 30 | 20 | .600 | Lost Semifinal (Maine) 1–2 | |||
| Fort Wayne Mad Ants | |||||||||
| 2017–18 | Central | 1st | 29 | 21 | .580 | Lost Semifinal (Erie) 116–119 | |||
| 2018–19 | Central | 3rd | 23 | 27 | .460 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2019–20 | Central | 4th | 21 | 22 | .488 | Season cancelled byCOVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2020–21 | 13th | 6 | 9 | .400 | Did not qualify | ||||
| 2021–22 | Eastern | 9th | 17 | 17 | .500 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2022–23 | Eastern | 6th | 18 | 14 | .563 | Lost Quarterfinal (Capital City) 87–101 | |||
| Indiana Mad Ants | |||||||||
| 2023–24 | Eastern | 3rd | 21 | 13 | .618 | Lost Quarterfinal (Delaware) 101–123 | |||
| 2024–25 | Eastern | - | - | - | - | TBD | |||
| Regular season record | 370 | 388 | .488 | 2007–present | |||||
| Playoff record | 11 | 9 | .550 | 2007–present | |||||
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach Assistant(s)
Legend
Roster |
| Fort Wayne Mad Ants retired numbers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure | Date |
| 19 | Ron Howard | G/F | 2007–2014 | March 3, 2017 |
| Indiana Mad Ants retired numbers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure | Date |
| 17 | Stephan Hicks | F/G | 2015–2025 | March 24, 2025 |
| Head coach | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Achievements | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | Win% | G | W | L | Win% | |||
| Kent Davison | 2007–2008 | 49 | 17 | 32 | .347 | — | — | — | — | |
| Jaren Jackson | 2008–2009 | 50 | 19 | 31 | .380 | — | — | — | — | |
| Joey Meyer | 2009–2012 | 115 | 51 | 64 | .443 | — | — | — | — | |
| Steve Gansey | 2012 (interim) | 35 | 9 | 26 | .257 | — | — | — | — | |
| Duane Ticknor | 2012–2013 | 50 | 27 | 23 | .540 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost Quarterfinal (2012–13) |
| Conner Henry | 2013–2015 | 100 | 62 | 38 | .620 | 12 | 10 | 2 | .833 | Coach of the Year (2013–14) Won Championship (2013–14) Lost Championship (2014–15) |
| Steve Gansey | 2015–2020 | 243 | 123 | 120 | .506 | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 | Lost Semifinal (2016–17) Lost Semifinal (2017–18) |
| Tom Hankins | 2020–present | 115 | 62 | 53 | .539 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost Quarterfinal (2022–23) Next Up Game Coach (2023–24) Lost Quarterfinal (2023–24) |
Established in2023–24, the award honorsRon Howard and will be "presented to an active player at the end of the regular season."[19]
| Ron Howard - Mr. Mad Ant Award winners | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure | Season |
| 17 | Stephan Hicks | G/F | 2015–2025 | 2023–2024 |
NBA G League Most Valuable Player
NBA G League Coach of the Year
NBA G League Rookie of the Year
NBA G League Most Improved Player
NBA G League Team Executive of the Year
Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award
NBA D League Development Champion
Ron Howard – Mr. Mad Ant Award
NBA G League Up Next Game
NBA G League Up Next Game Coach
NBA G League International Challenge
NBA D League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
NBA D League Slam Dunk Champion
NBA D League Shooting Stars Champion
The NBA G League underwent an overhaul in sponsorship and appearance prior to the 2017-18 season. With global partners such as Nike and Gatorade joining forces with the NBA, the Mad Ants received a new blue-and-gold look to correspond with its NBA affiliate, the Indiana Pacers.
| Eastern Conference | |
|---|---|
| Western Conference | |
