MGM’s ‘Hoosiers’ Inspires New Indiana Pacers Team Uniforms

MGM Studios’ 1986 sport movie Hoosiers, which starred Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper, has spawned an NBA team jersey.

MGM and the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday unveiled a deal to have the NBA team’s players wear the “Hickory” uniform in select regular season games. Hoosiers was inspired by the 1954 Indiana high school state champion team from tiny Milan, Ind.

Written by Angelo Pizzo and directed by David Anspaugh, Hoosiers starred Hackman as coach Norman Dale. The movie received two Academy Award nominations, including one for Hopper as best supporting actor.

“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,” said Larry Bird, Pacers president of basketball operations, in a statement Tuesday. “Hoosiers takes us all back to a special place and time,” he added.