The Indiana Pacers’ best rebounder is an unexpected player.
During the 2024-25 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers‘ dynamic duo of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner handled the majority of rebounding for the team.
However, with Turner joining the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency, the Pacers are left with a huge hole in the center position.
Despite Turner’s surprising departure, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle isn’t worried about replacing his output, at least, in rebounding.
Photo by William Purnell/Getty ImagesRick Carlisle names Tony Bradley as the Indiana Pacers’ best rebounder
Heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, Pacers fans should expect several new faces on the court. After all, with the team likely out of postseason contention, it’s the perfect time to give new players an opportunity.
Speaking of which, coach Carlisle plans to give Tony Bradley a bigger role on the team next season.
“We got Tony Bradley, who really emerged in last year’s playoffs as a guy that could play the game and play within our team concept,” Carlisle said on The Zach Lowe Show.
He added: “He’s the best rebounder we have on the entire roster, and he’s experienced and he’s got a really great feel for defense. Yeah, we got a lot of pieces, a lot of elements.”
Now, that’s solid praise for a player who spent the majority of the previous season in the G League.
Tony Bradley’s 2024-25 G League stats
When it comes to the NBA, Bradley has averaged 4.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game during his seven-year career.
However, the 27-year-old center has seemingly impressed the Pacers with his G League stint, especially last season.
For context, Bradley averaged 16.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the College Park Skyhawks.
He did so in just 12 games for the organization. It will be interesting to see if Bradley can reach similar success in the upcoming season, but in the NBA with the Pacers.