Kyle Guy led the Noblesville Boom in scoring with 28 points. (Mike Navarro)
By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – The wait is over. The Boom is here.
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen presented Pacers Sports & Entertainment with a key to the city, and PS&E presented Jensen with his own Boom jersey. (Mike Navarro)
Noblesville’s very own NBA G League team made its debut at The Arena at Innovation Mile Saturday, Nov. 8. The Arena was packed with fans who finally got their first glimpse at the city’s new pro basketball team.
The Boom played the Grand Rapids Gold, the second game of a two-game series that started Friday, Nov. 7 at Grand Rapids. The Gold won both games, including the contest at the Arena 120-109, but the result didn’t dampen the spirit of the crowd or the excitement of the evening.
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen was there to present Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Boom’s owner, with a key to the city. In turn, PS&E presented Jensen with his own jersey.
“It’s wholesome family fun on a Saturday night in our backyard,” said Jensen.
The leading scorer for the Boom was Kyle Guy, who scored 28 points. Guy threw in a 3-pointer midway through the first quarter, then made an eight-point run in the fourth quarter to get the Boom within 95-94 before Grand Rapids pulled away.
Guy was a star at Lawrence Central, winning the 2016 Mr. Basketball award. He played three years at the University of Virginia, helping the Cavaliers to an NCAA national championship in 2019.
After playing a few seasons in the NBA and in Europe, Guy entered the coaching field as an assistant for his alma mater. He left Virginia after a coaching change, then was hired as an assistant at Nevada.
Guy signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Boom last month and admitted it was tough to leave Nevada, saying it was “literally the first day of practice, official practice when I got the call.”
“I wasn’t looking to come back,” said Guy. “I missed the game, but I didn’t know if I missed the day-to-day grind and stuff. But ever since I said ‘yes,’ I really got that fire back.”
Bobby the Bobcat, the Boom’s mascot, entertained the crowd during the game. (Mike Navarro)
Another name familiar to Indiana basketball fans is Kelly Faris, one of the assistant coaches. Faris got her start at Heritage Christian, where she was part of the Eagles’ run of four consecutive Class 2A state championships and became a McDonald’s All-American.
Faris went on to play at Connecticut, winning two national championships, then played with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun for four seasons.
“My family is the most important thing to me, and to be able to get an opportunity like this that so many would love to have and to still be able to be home is something I never thought I would have,” said Faris. “I didn’t imagine it. The Pacers organization overall, from the Pacers, everyone there to the Boom, everyone’s been extremely kind, extremely helpful in helping me grow and they want to give me opportunities to be challenged and grow.”
In addition to leading the Boom scoring, Guy dished out seven assists. Jalen Slawson scored 23 points. Two Boom players reached double-double status: DaJuan Gordon had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Steven Ashworth contributed 11 points and 11 assists.
The Boom will play their next four games on the road, taking on the Sioux Falls Skyforce Wednesday and Friday.
