Hometown prospect CJ Gunn works out for Pacers, embraces leap to pro basketball
The Indianapolis native and former DePaul wing visited the Ascension St. Vincent Center for a pre-draft workout as he begins the transition from college basketball to the professional ranks.
CJ Gunn didn’t have to travel far for a job interview on Wednesday.
The Lawrence North High School graduate made the short drive downtown to the Ascension St. Vincent Center for a pre-draft workout with his hometown team, the Indiana Pacers.
Following the NBA Draft Combine, which was held May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, teams across the league host players for on-court workouts — which also serve as in-person interviews — leading up to the two-night draft, June 23-24, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Gunn officially declared for the draft on April 26 — betting on God’s plan and trusting the work.
“I think it’s a testament to how I was raised, just growing up and the thought process and the motivation that my pops instilled in me at a young age,” Gunn said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
His first move then was to go to Canada, where he spent a few weeks playing for the Calgary Surge in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. He wanted to get in that environment and go against pros, including guys who have played in the NBA G League.
“The Surge wanted me to come out there and kind of get some bump in with them and see the landscape of the pro world,” Gunn said.
So he did that and enjoyed the experience. Now he’s looking forward to the next step — showing NBA teams what he’s about during these visits.
“A guy that’s deeply rooted in his faith, a guy that is extremely confident,” Gunn said of his message to teams. “A great guy to have with positional size. A guy that loves the defensive end, brings the energy every day, ready to work hard and earn his minutes.”
Gunn has been at home, training at the Mojo Up Sports Complex in Noblesville, which is just down the street from Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile, the new home of the Noblesville Boom. That’s the G League affiliate of the Pacers.
“That’s not too far from the house at all, so that feels like home,” Gunn said.
“I’m an Indy kid. I just love Indy. I love what the city gives. I love the love that the city shows me. So I just feel like this is a perfect situation.”
As part of the pre-draft process, teams also use these workouts to identify players for Summer League and G League opportunities. That’s especially the case this year since the Pacers do not have a selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.
A 6-foot-7 wing, who plays both ends of the court well, is what every team covets.
Gunn graduated from Lawrence North High School — which has also produced NBA players like Mike Conley and Greg Oden — as the all-time leader in scoring average. His team reached the Class 4A state finals in 2021, losing to Carmel 51-46. Gunn finished with a team-high 18 points and four rebounds.
After high school, he attended Indiana University. He originally committed to Archie Miller, then stayed patient and reaffirmed his commitment after Mike Woodson was named head coach. After two seasons in Bloomington (2022-24), he transferred to DePaul University for the past two seasons (2024-26).
“The journey has definitely tested me,” he said. “Starting off in high school, playing JV and wanting those varsity minutes, wanting to dress and not having that opportunity. Transferring schools, getting used to different environments and different coaching staffs, fighting through adversity and injuries throughout high school, throughout college. And just finding a way to make my mark.
“First in college and kind of wanting to rush the process and rush the success — and being in a position to where I have to be confident in myself, be confident in the work I put in, and ready to step up to the to the moment when it presents itself.”
At DePaul, he started in 44 of 64 games. He raised his shooting percentage (39.9% last season), got to the free-throw line more often and tried to get the most out of his final seasons in college.
Through it all, Gunn said he’s had a strong support system that starts at home with his parents, Christopher and Linda. Those two never missed a college game.
“Regardless of where I’ve been, where I played, they made it their top priority to come see me every time they could,” he said.
Gunn’s sister, Lauren, is two-and-a-half-years older and also played college basketball. But first, like many siblings in Indiana, they enjoyed fun, intense battles on the basketball court.
“Growing up, she was always bigger than me,” he said. “And so me, my dad and my sister, would ride our bikes down to the elementary school. It was right down the street and our dad would always have us play one-on-one. And man, those are the most physical battles up to that point in my life.
“My sister has helped me grow my mindset to what it is to the day since a kid. She played she was a college basketball player so she was definitely my biggest competition growing up.”
It’s those competitive battles and desire for more that’s fueled him ahead of a pro career. Gunn said his memories of following the Pacers go way back.
He remembers former Pacers guard George Hill, who attended the same middle school, coming back to visit. He’s a player Gunn idolized.
So it’s no surprise that Hill was a starter on the Pacers team Gunn enjoyed most.
“My favorite all-time memory and time period would have to be when the Pacers and the Heat were going at it,” he said, getting excited. “Back in like 2012, 2013, around that era. As a kid growing up in that whole rivalry and series, that was one to remember for sure.”
Throughout this transition from college and pros, Gunn has been fortunate to lean on another local product: 2012 Indiana Mr. Basketball Gary Harris.
The Hamilton Southeastern High School grad was selected 19th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, and part of a trade that moved him from Chicago to Denver to start his career. He’s played on three NBA teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks this past season.
“Our families are real close-knit so he’s like my cousin,” said Gunn. “I go over to his house every weekend to work with him.
“After we get done working out and be able to sit down, have conversations about him or what coaches are looking for this whole process, his mindset when he was in it. And just him being a vet and being able to be in that moment and to pick his mind and to be a sponge. He’s definitely given me a lot of a lot of advice.”
That all led to a memorable Wednesday: his first pre-draft workout, and it came with his hometown team. (The Pacers did not announce this workout.)
“I kind of have the same emotions as my first pro game when I went out to Canada — ready to step into that moment and be present,” Gunn said. “I’ve dreamed about this time since I was a kid so once I finally settle into my emotions, I’ll trust in my work, trust in my work ethic and bring the energy.
“I want everybody in that gym to feel me and feel how passionate I am about this game.”
Where Gunn’s professional career begins remains unknown.
But the opportunities continue to come. Later this month, he’ll represent USA Basketball the FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League Americas Conference held in Maipú, Chile after a successful first experience in the spring.