Noblesville Boom exclusive interviews: Checking in at media day
Getting to know the 2026 Noblesville Boom.
INDIANAPOLIS – Hello from Noblesville Boom media day! Starring... most of the Boom.
Missing? The expected cast: All of the two-way contract players. Jalen Slawson, Braden Smith, and Kobe Brown were with the Pacers in Miami. All three earned NBA rotation minutes on Friday night.
That is, in so many ways, the hope of the Boom. General Manager Chris Taylor's motto (among a few) is "Better Basketball Opoptunities", and he couldn't be happier for Slawson and his success.
Taylor and I discussed that, among many other topics. And several other key franchise figures who had Pacers opportunities sat down for exclusive interviews on Friday morning. You can find them all below as the Boom season approaches – they kick things off with an open scrimmage on Wednesday.
Tony East
Head coach Bryce Taylor
Bryce Taylor is entering his first season as the Boom's head coach. We discussed his coaching philosophies connecting the Boom and Pacers, how he approaches development, working hands-on with players, and what Rick Carlisle has meant to him.
General manager Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor is halfway to a dozen years with the Boom. The culture he has constructed for a team that is – somewhat by design – always changing is impressive.
We talk about that, the Boom and Pacers synergy, how he builds a team, and much more.
Center Rienk Mast
You may remember Mast from training camp and preseason with the Pacers. He was also a summer league standout for the franchise.
Now, he's with the Boom and projects to be one of the team's better players. We talk about his roots in Dutch basketball, Rik Smits, his Pacers experience, and what he wants out of his days in Noblesville.
Forward Jalen Warley
Warley played for the Pacers during summer league, then spent time with Pascal Siakam and other Pacers forwards at Siakam's residence this summer.
We discussed that experience, his pivot from guard to forward in college, and his rookie year goals.
Forward Kowacie Reeves Jr
Reeves was a summer Pacer that popped in his final collegiate season. We discussed the grind of summer league, changing styles to fit the Pacers system, and his thoughts about the Boom entering year one.
Center Keba Keita
Keita got a Pacers training camp/preseason invite and made the most of it, showing a ton of improvement from the first game to the last. His athleticism and power stood out often.
His journey is among the most unique I've learned about. He was born in Mali, primarily played volleyball growing up (his brother is a volleyball professional), then picked up basketball later after falling in love with his first dunk. This was a fascinating interview.
Thank you for checking in with the Boom and thanks to the team for providing me this access. They are an extension of the Pacers, and all of these players will be worth keeping an eye on as the season begins – just as Slawson, Quenton Jackson, Oshae Brissett, Terry Taylor, and many others have been in the past.
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