INDIANAPOLIS — The saying goes, in 49 other states, it's just basketball—but this is Indiana. For Kyle Mangas, that hits close to home. The lifelong Hoosier has dreamed about this moment his whole life.
Now, it's a reality.
Playing professional basketball is a feat many dream about, but few realize. Doing that in a state like this—that's special.
"A couple years into my college career, I was like, 'Man, this could really be something I go after,'" Mangas said.
Before we got here, the journey began in Warsaw, Indiana. In a city of 15,000, basketball was everything. After a stellar career for the Warsaw High School Tigers, Mangas took his talents to NAIA Indiana Wesleyan. Fielding zero Division I or Division II offers provided the motivation he needed.
"I think it gives me a little bit of a chip on my shoulder that I was kind of overlooked by some people, and that kind of helps to keep me going," Mangas said.
It most certainly did. Mangas is one of the most decorated players in NAIA history. His freshman season, he led the Wildcats to an NAIA Division II national championship. He was named the Crossroads League player of the year each of his four seasons. If that wasn't enough, he was the NAIA national player of the year twice and is IWU's all-time leading scorer.
After a career like that, it was clear Mangas could play professional basketball. After working out with the Pacers in the summer of 2021, Mangas decided to play overseas to start his professional career. He signed his first professional contract with USK Praha of the Czech National Basketball League in 2021. Last year, he played for BC Šiauliai of the Lithuanian Basketball League.
"It's really different. I grew a ton as a player and as a person. Being on your own in a foreign country where they don't speak English as the primary language, just figuring things out on your own and being a problem-solver, was big for me off the court," Mangas said. "On the court, basketball-wise, you're playing with grown men. Dudes are really professionals over there. They know how to play basketball. They're so skilled. It was really good for me to get out of Indiana and get out on my own for a little bit from where I had been all my life."
The Hoosier state, though, was calling his name. Mangas was itching to get back closer to home. He impressed during a workout with the Pacers this August. Then, in October, a dream turned into a reality.
"That workout went really well, and these guys offered me a spot, and it was really a no-brainer to stay here in Indiana and be in Indianapolis, close to family and friends. That's something I've been missing the past couple of years. That's really important to me," Mangas said. "It was a very easy decision, but I'm grateful to these guys for offering me a spot."
Now playing for the Indiana Mad Ants, the Pacers G-League affiliate, Mangas is driving to one day get the call up to the Pacers. One thing is for certain — he's never taking this opportunity for granted.
"It means so much. It's hard to think about it," Mangas said. "Especially from Indiana when you're a young kid growing up, you dream about playing on the court over there for teams like this, and having the Pacers logo on your jersey and shorts every game. It's pretty indescribable, honestly."
From a small town in this basketball-crazed state, to the bright lights of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Kyle Mangas truly is an Indiana basketball success story.