The Indiana Pacers and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM), Beverly Hills, Calif., announced that the team will introduce the Hickory uniform, seen in the movie Hoosiers, to be worn in select regular-season games as part of the NBA Pride Collection for the 2015-16 season.
The uniform is a tribute to the tradition of basketball in Indiana and to the film, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
“Our team will be honored to wear the Hickory uniforms because of the attention it will bring to the storied history of Indiana basketball and the success of that movie,” says Larry Bird, Pacers president of basketball operations. “Hoosiers takes us all back to a special place and time.”
Hoosiers, which premiered in 1986, was inspired by the 1954 Indiana High School state champion team from Milan. The movie starred Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale, received two Academy Award nominations and is regarded as one of the finest sports movies ever made.
In addition to the upcoming season, the Pacers wil wear the Hickory uniform during select games over the next several seasons. Further details on games in which players will wear them will be announced at a later date.
For more information, visit nba.com/pacers. — J.B.