The Noblesville Boom are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Noblesville, Indiana. They are affiliated with the Indiana Pacers, and play their home games at Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile. In September 2015, Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E), parent company of the Indiana Pacers, purchased the franchise.
From 2007 to 2023, the team played in Fort Wayne at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum and was known as the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. From 2023 to 2025, the team played in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and was known as the Indiana Mad Ants. Beginning in 2025, the team currently plays in Noblesville at Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile and are known as the Noblesville Boom. Since the team's inception, the franchise has accumulated one finals championship (2014), two conference titles (2014, 2015), two division titles (2014, 2018), a finals loss in the Showcase Cup (2023), and has retired two jersey numbers (17, 19).
During the 2013–14 season, the franchise won their first and only championship after obtaining the 1st seed in the playoffs with a league-best 34–16 record. The Mad Ants swept the Santa Cruz Warriors in the franchise's first finals appearance, becoming the third team to ever go undefeated in the playoffs. During the 2014–15 season, the franchise returned to the finals in a rematch the year prior; however, the Mad Ants were swept by the Santa Cruz Warriors. In the 2023–24 season, the Mad Ants earned a 15–2 record, and the 1st seed in the 2023 Showcase Cup, before losing in the finals to the Westchester Knicks 107–99. Notable franchise alumni include Ron Howard, Walker Russell Jr., Tony Mitchell, Dahntay Jones, Khris Middleton, Miles Plumlee, Tyler Hansbrough, Georges Niang, Hasheem Thabeet, Stephan Hicks, David Stockton, Elfrid Payton, Oscar Tshiebwe, Jahlil Okafor, and Cody Martin.
Contents
Team history
2007–2023: Fort Wayne Mad Ants
In April 2007, the NBA Development League (D-League) announced it was expanding to Fort Wayne for the 2007–08 season, with former AT&T president John Zeglis as the team's president and part owner. The team was poised to be the first minor league basketball franchise to play in Fort Wayne since the Fort Wayne Fury were disbanded after the folding of the Continental 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 and Mad Ants, the latter name being a tribute to the city's namesake "Mad" Anthony Wayne.
At the team's inception, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants were affiliated with the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers, while debuting their maroon, gold and black colors. During the 2007 NBA D-League Draft, the Mad Ants notably selected Ron Howard, Larry Turner and Lukasz Obrzut. They finished the 2007–08 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 2008 All-Star Game, and was awarded the 2008 All-Star Game MVP Award. Their inaugural season also included players Dahntay Jones, Walker Russell Jr., Sammy Mejía and Earl Calloway.
The Mad Ants added the Milwaukee Bucks as their third affiliate for the 2008–09 season, ending the year with a 19–31 record. The franchise posted three more sub-.500 records in the next three years, in 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2011–12, failing to make the playoffs in their first five years of competition. Across these seasons, the franchise had numerous players selected to the All-Star Game: Chris Hunter (2009), Ron Howard & Rob Kurz (2010), Walker Russell Jr. (2009, 2011, 2012) and Darnell Lazare (2012). Chris Hunter (2009) and Rob Kurz (2010) were selected to the All-NBA D-League Second Team. The franchise also featured players Alex Acker, Oliver Lafayette, Joe Alexander, Larry Sanders, Chris Kramer, Marvin Phillips, Corey Allmond, Vernon Macklin, Stephen Graham and Travis Walton.
The Mad Ants added the Charlotte Bobcats as their fourth NBA affiliate before in the 2012–13 season. In the 2012 D-League Draft, the Mad Ants selected JaJuan Johnson first overall. This season saw assignments from NBA players Khris Middleton, Miles Plumlee, Orlando Johnson, Kim English and Luke Harangody. Tony Mitchell earned 2013 Rookie of the Year, 2013 Slam Dunk Champion, 2013 All-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 the Santa Cruz Warriors in the quarterfinals after a 27–23 regular season.
2023–2025: Indiana Mad Ants
On May 8, 2023, the Indiana Pacers announced that they were moving the Mad Ants to Indianapolis in preparation for construction of the Noblesville Event Center, a new 3,400-seat venue, in Noblesville, Indiana. Upon their move to Indianapolis, the Mad Ants rebranded as the Indiana Mad Ants. The name was meant to last until their move to Noblesville, which would be accompanied by a new name, color scheme and mascot.
During the 2023–24 season, their first season playing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Mad Ants finished with a 21–13 regular-season record, claiming the 3rd seed in the playoffs where they were defeated by the Delaware 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 the Westchester Knicks. Oscar Tshiebwe was selected 2024 Rookie of the Year, 2024 All-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. Elfrid Payton was selected 2024 All-NBA G League Third Team after leading the league in assists at 9.1 per game. Furthermore, Tshiebwe, Isaiah Wong and Kyle Mangas were all selected to the 2024 Next Up Game, while Tshiebwe participated in the 2024 NBA Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend. Stephan Hicks was named the inaugural winner of the "Ron Howard Mr. Mad Ant Award." This season also featured Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, Quenton Jackson, Jordan Bell, Kendall Brown and Mojave King.
Before the 2024–25 season, the NBA's G League Ignite folded, resulting in David Stockton's player defer rights being transferred back to the Mad Ants. On September 26, 2024, Stockton's returning player rights were traded to the Valley Suns expansion team in exchange for the returning player rights of Jahlil Okafor and Garrison Brooks from the 2024 Expansion Draft. On October 3, 2024, as a result of Elfrid Payton signing a training camp deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, the Mad Ants traded him to the Birmingham Squadron for the rights to Landers Nolley II. 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 and Keisei Tominaga were both selected to the 2025 Up Next Game while RayJ Dennis was selected 2025 All-Rookie Team. On March 6, 2025, the Mad Ants acquired Boogie Ellis from the Stockton Kings in a three-team trade, sending Kyle Mangas to the Austin Spurs. On March 24, 2025, the Mad Ants officially retired number 17 in honor of Stephan Hicks before a game against the Windy City Bulls who retired following the season. The Mad Ants finished the regular season with a 20–14 record, claiming the 4th seed in the playoffs, where they defeated the Greensboro Swarm 120–110 in the quarterfinals before losing the semifinals 129–114 to the Osceola Magic. Additional players who joined the Mad Ants for their final season in Indianapolis included Johnny Furphy, Tristen Newton, Enrique Freeman and Dakota Mathias.
2025–present: Noblesville Boom
On April 16, 2025, the franchise officially rebranded as the Noblesville Boom, adopting a navy, cyan, gold and white color scheme with a new mascot debuting at Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile. The rebranded name is a tribute to the iconic, "Boom, Baby!" phrase tied to the Pacers and made famous 50 years ago by legendary Pacers coach and commentator Bobby "Slick" Leonard, while also reflecting the loud, fast-paced style the team brings to the court as well as the energy and growth of the Noblesville community. The name of the mascot for the Boom, Bobby the Bobcat, is also a tribute to Leonard. The name further complements the Pacers mascot, Boomer. On November 4, 2025, the Boom held their first scrimmage where the new mascot for the team, Bobby the Bobcat, was unveiled.
On June 23, 2025, the franchise sent Cameron McGriff to the Salt Lake City Stars in exchange for Jaedon LeDee and a first-round pick in the 2025 draft. On August 1, the Boom acquired Gabe McGlothan from the Grand Rapids Gold in a three-team deal sending Pedro Bradshaw to the Salt Lake City Stars. On August 29, the Boom acquired Jalen Slawson from the Osceola Magic in exchange for the player rights to Garrison Brooks. On October 2, the franchise acquired Ray Spalding from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in exchange for the Boom's 2026 first-round draft pick. On October 3, the Boom acquired DaJuan Gordon from the South Bay Lakers in exchange for the Boom's 2025 and 2026 second-round draft picks and the Boom's first-round pick in the 2026 NBA G League International Draft. Their first season in Noblesville, the Boom earned a 5–9 record during the 2025 Winter Showcase, failing to make the Tip-Off Tournament playoffs. During the 2025–26 season, the Boom finished with a 16–20 record failing to make the playoffs. Ethan Thompson was selected to the 2026 NBA G League Next Up Game and Three-Point Contest while Gabe McGlothan was selected to the 2026 NBA G League Dunk Contest. Other notable players this season included Cody Martin, Kam Jones, Taelon Peter, Kyle Guy, Keion Brooks Jr. and MJ Iraldi.
Before the start of the 2026–27 season, the Boom acquired Braden Smith, Kobe Brown and Yuki Kawamura. On June 1, 2026, Bryce Taylor was named the new head coach of the Boom.
Season-by-season results
Players
NBA affiliates
Current
Indiana Pacers (2007–present)
Former
Detroit Pistons (2007–2015)
Milwaukee Bucks (2008–2015)
Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2012–2015)
Atlanta Hawks (2014–2015)
Brooklyn Nets (2014–2015)
Chicago Bulls (2014–2015)
Denver Nuggets (2014–2015)
Los Angeles Clippers (2014–2015)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2014–2015)
New Orleans Pelicans (2014–2015)
Portland Trail Blazers (2014–2015)
Toronto Raptors (2014–2015)
Washington Wizards (2014–2015)
Mr. Mad Ant Award
Established in 2023–24, the award honors Ron Howard and will be "presented to an active player at the end of the regular season."
In popular culture
In the television series One Tree Hill, James Lafferty's character Nathan receives an offer to coach the Mad Ants in the episode "You've Dug Your Own Grave, Now Lie In It". The episode originally aired September 29, 2008 on The CW Network.
The Mad Ants developed an external team called the "Ants Alumni" who competed in The Basketball Tournament's 2015 season, against 96 national teams for the $1 million prize money. The team included 2014 D-League champion Mad Ants, as they won the Midwest Regional Final in Chicago, Illinois, making it to the Final Four semifinals in New York City, losing to Team 23.
The Mad Ants were featured in the 'MyCareer' mode in NBA 2K19, a basketball game released on September 11, 2018, developed by Visual Concepts, and published by 2K Sports.
The Mad Ants were featured in the "Destination NBA: A G League Odyssey" feature-length documentary which originally premiered August 8, 2023 on Prime Video.
The Boom were featured in the "NBA G League Chronicles" feature-length documentary which originally premiered March 25, 2026 on YouTube sponsored by Gatorade. The documentary included Boom player Kyle Guy as well as Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Victor Oladipo, Gorgui Dieng, Harrison Ingram and Jasmin Brown.