Kristian Ferrell
Indiana University (IU) basketball fans hold jersey numbers close to their hearts, and the number 40 is no exception. The forward from Evansville, Indiana, Calbert Cheaney, wore the number 40 jersey and is a fan favorite. He is the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer, a three-time All-American, and led the Hoosiers in scoring each of his four years. Cody Zeller also wore the number 40 jersey for the Hoosiers, though only for two seasons. He was named Indiana High School's Mr. Basketball and had a successful career with the Hoosiers, leading them to the Sweet 16 twice.
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What You'll Learn
Calbert Cheaney: Indiana's all-time leading scorer
Calbert Nathaniel Cheaney, born on July 17, 1971, in Evansville, Indiana, is a former basketball player and current coach. He played small forward for the Indiana University Hoosiers under head coach Bob Knight from 1989 to 1993. Cheaney was Knight's first left-handed player and is currently the Director of Player Development for the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team.
Cheaney had an impressive career at Indiana, leading the Hoosiers in scoring during each of his four years on the team. He averaged 19.8 points per game, with a high of 22.4 as a senior, and scored 30 or more points thirteen times. Cheaney also averaged 4.6 rebounds per game and shot 58.6% from the floor, 49.0% from the 3-point line, and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
Cheaney's outstanding performance on the court earned him numerous accolades. He was a three-time All-American (1991, 1992, and 1993) and was named the National Player of the Year, winning both the Wooden and Naismith awards. He also received the unanimous All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year honours.
Cheaney's success continued after his collegiate career. He played in the NBA for 13 years, representing five different teams. He then embarked on a coaching career, starting with the Golden State Warriors as a special assistant and later as an assistant coach. Cheaney also served in player development roles with the Indiana Pacers and Saint Louis University.
With 2,613 career points, Calbert Cheaney is not only the all-time leading scorer for Indiana University but also for the Big Ten Conference. His scoring record at Indiana remains unbroken, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players to wear the Hoosiers uniform.
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Cody Zeller: Indiana High School's Mr. Basketball
Cody Allen Zeller, born on October 5, 1992, is an American basketball player who played for the Indiana Hoosiers in college. Zeller wore the number 40 jersey during his time at Indiana University, where he played for two seasons between 2011 and 2013. He is known for his "high basketball IQ" and unselfish play, with commentators praising his "high motor" and versatility.
Before joining Indiana University, Zeller attended Washington High School in Indiana, where he excelled in basketball. In his senior year, he averaged 24.6 points and 13 rebounds per game, leading his team, the Washington Hatchets, to a Class 3A state championship. This was the third state title of his high school career. For his outstanding performance, Zeller was named Indiana High School's Mr. Basketball in 2011, becoming the 26th Mr. Basketball from Indiana to play for the Hoosiers.
During his high school career, Zeller received numerous accolades and honors. He was named first-team All-State by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and received Gatorade Player of the Year accolades in Indiana. He was also a McDonald's All-American, Parade Magazine All-American, and a second-team Parade All-American. According to ESPN, Zeller was ranked as the 13th best overall recruit in 2011.
After his successful high school career, Zeller committed to play for Indiana University on November 11, 2010, turning down offers from prestigious programs like North Carolina and Butler. His commitment generated a lot of buzz, with Coach Tom Crean praising his mental toughness and focus. Zeller's impact on the Indiana Hoosiers was immediate, helping them finish the 2012-13 season as the outright Big Ten champions. He had impressive individual statistics, averaging 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting at a 57% field goal percentage.
Zeller's outstanding college career led to him being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the then-named Charlotte Bobcats. He played his rookie season with the Bobcats before signing with other NBA teams later in his career.
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Tom Motter: Fort Wayne product on IU's 1940 national championship team
Tom Motter, a Fort Wayne native, was a member of the IU men's basketball team that won the 1940 national championship. Motter, who wore the number 26, had a distinguished career both on and off the court. In addition to his basketball accomplishments, he served in the Army during World War II and earned a Bronze Star for his service.
Motter was honoured at Assembly Hall in 2009 as the last surviving member of the 1940 championship team. This recognition came 79 years after he and his teammates brought home the national title. The road to the championship game was not easy, but the Hoosiers prevailed. They first had to win the Eastern Regional played in Indianapolis, facing tough competition from Duquesne, Western Kentucky, and Springfield. IU emerged victorious, defeating both Springfield and Duquesne to advance to the finals in Kansas City.
The 1940 championship game was a hard-fought contest, with IU ultimately claiming the title. This win marked the first national championship for the Hoosiers, setting the stage for their future success in college basketball. Motter's contribution to the team's victory cannot be overstated, as he played a crucial role in their success.
In addition to his basketball achievements, Motter served his country valiantly during World War II. He earned the Bronze Star, one of the United States military's most prestigious awards, recognising his bravery, heroism, or meritorious service. Motter's honour and courage extended beyond the basketball court, demonstrating his character and dedication to his country.
Tom Motter's legacy was almost cemented in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. On May 5, 2014, he was nominated for this prestigious honour, but sadly, he passed away just three hours later. Motter's impact on IU basketball and his bravery during World War II will forever be remembered.
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Hal Driver: 6-foot-3 centre from Aurora, Indiana
Hal Driver, a 6-foot-3 centre from Aurora, Indiana, wore the number 27 jersey for the Indiana Hoosiers (IU) men's basketball team. Driver played for the Hoosiers during the 1941-42 season and was one of only two players to wear the number 27 jersey in the team's history, the other being Gene Turner (1945-46).
In the IU basketball programme's long and storied history, several players have stood out and become household names, achieving notability through their performance in the sport and other endeavours. The number 40 jersey, for example, was worn by Calbert Cheaney, a three-time All-American and the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer.
IU has a rich tradition of producing talented basketball players who have gone on to achieve greatness in the sport. The university's basketball programme has a history of success, with the team winning the national championship in 1940, led by All-American Marv Huffman, who wore the number 28 jersey.
The number 26 jersey also holds a special place in IU basketball history, with Tom Motter, a member of the 1940 national championship team, earning a Bronze Star with the Army in World War II. In recent years, Motter was honoured at Assembly Hall as the last surviving member of the championship-winning team and was nominated for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
While Hal Driver may not have achieved the same level of fame or success as some of his IU teammates, he was still a part of the rich history and tradition of the Indiana Hoosiers basketball programme, a team that has produced many notable athletes and achieved significant accomplishments on the court.
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Marv Huffman: All-American honours in 1940
Marv Huffman, a 6'2" forward, was an American basketball player who led the Hoosiers to the 1940 NCAA Championship. Huffman played collegiately at Indiana University, where he was named captain in 1940. In the deciding game against the University of Kansas, Huffman scored a team-high 12 points, leading the Hoosiers to victory in the second-ever NCAA tournament. Huffman received the second-ever NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award and earned Converse First Team All-American honours in 1940.
Huffman was later inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989. He also had a brief professional career with the Akron Wingfoots of the National Basketball League, a forerunner to the NBA. During the 1940–41 NBL season, he averaged 5.1 points in 22 games.
Marv Huffman's brother, Vern, was also an All-American basketball player for IU. Vern went on to play professional football for the Detroit Lions. Huffman's achievements at Indiana University and in the NBL solidifies his legacy as one of the outstanding players to wear the number 40 jersey for IU men's basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Forward Calbert Cheaney wore the number 40 jersey for IU Men's Basketball.
Calbert Cheaney played as a forward.
Calbert Cheaney was a three-time All-American (1991, 1992, 1993) and the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer.
Yes, Cody Zeller wore the number 40 jersey earlier in his IU career.
Cody Zeller was named Indiana High School's Mr. Basketball, AP Honorable Mention All-American, Freshman All-American, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
