Noblesville Boom notebook: Schedule, new players and coach, new uniform sponsor, more
It's been a busy summer for the Boom.
INDIANAPOLIS – The Noblesville Boom have a new head coach, a new jersey sponsor, a 2026-27 schedule, and multiple new players.
While a lot has changed, some familiar faces are back with Noblesville for the coming year, too. It's season two for the franchise in Noblesville, and local fans will have an opportunity to watch a fun crop of two-way contract players this time around.
Braden Smith, who grew up in the suburbs North of Indianapolis, will spend time with the Boom on his two-way deal. Kobe Brown and Jalen Slawson are a strong two-way wing pairing – and while it's possible the capped-out Pacers need those two since they'll (likely) start the year with 14 players, both of them still could get some reps in with the G League club.
Inevitably, more transactions will come as the Pacers and Boom acquire more player rights ahead of the coming season. In the meantime, some Boom notes from throughout the offseason.
Tony East
The schedule is here
In late August, the Boom officially announced their schedule for the 2026-27 season. They start in early November and play until late March, like usual.
The Tip-Off Tournament lasts through the G League Winter Showcase from December 19-22, then the G League regular season begins for the Boom on December 27 at home.
Some key dates:
Season Opener: Friday, Nov. 6 at Windy City Bulls
Home Opener: Tuesday, Nov. 10 vs Iowa Wolves
Educational Day game: Wednesday, March 10 vs Greensboro Swarm
New and returning players
The Boom have made two trades so far this offseason:
-Acquired the rights to forward Isaih Moore and a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA G League Draft (Santa Cruz Warriors) in a three-team trade. In this deal, the Boom sent the rights of ex-Pacer Gabe McGlothan to the Maine Celtics. McGlothan spent training camp with the Pacers in 2025, then signed a 10-day contract in December before being waived a few days later. He was active for one game.
-Acquired the returning player rights to guard Wade Taylor IV and forward Patrick Gardner in a different three-team trade. During this trade, the Boom sent the rights to ex-Pacer Cody Martin to the Mexico City Capitanes and the rights to forward Au'Diese Toney to the Osceola Magic. Both Martin and Toney played for the Boom down the stretch last season. Martin appeared in a few games for the Pacers in early November.
G League trades can be a signal of Exhibit 10 deals to come with the Pacers. That became the case for Taylor IV earlier this week – he signed a camp deal with the Pacers before being waived the next day. Circle City Spin reported that transaction on Monday. Because the Boom traded for Taylor IV, he didn't need to spend a day in training camp for Noblesville to acquire his G League rights.
The Pacers have 14 standard contracts signed and three two-way deals, so they can make all of their Exhibit 10 signings in groups of four. That keeps them at or under the offseason roster maximum of 21 players. Along with Taylor IV, the Pacers signed MJ Iraldi, Cam Hildreth, and Keion Brooks earlier this week, then waived each on Tuesday. They all finished the 2025-26 G League season with the Boom and spent summer league with the Pacers.
New uniform sponsor
The Boom's jerseys will have a new sponsor this season: Royal United Mortgage. They will be the team’s official marquee jersey patch partner going forward.
The patch will be below the player's number on the front of their jersey (see the photo below) and there will be signage throughout the Boom's home stadium – Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile.
"As we enter our second year in Noblesville, we're rethinking how we approach partnerships to deliver greater impact for the businesses we work with. We're moving beyond traditional logo placements and becoming consultative partners, using our unique IP and experiences to meet each partner's needs. Royal United shares that same vision, and we're excited to bring this partnership to life together as the Boom continues to establish itself in Noblesville and Hamilton County," Chris Defendis, the President of Business Operations for the Noblesville Boom, said in a statement.
The Boom's new head coach and his journey to that role
The Boom moved on from former head coach Tom Hankins and replaced him with Bryce Taylor, who previously held a player development role with the Pacers before being an assistant for the Mad Ants/Boom.
Hankins is now with Oregon Basketball. Taylor, a former player who was with the Pacers for summer league action alongside Paul George and Lance Stephenson in 2011, takes over the Boom program.
"It's an amazing opportunity," Taylor told me. "Really excited to be in this position and continue to have an impact with the people that I'm working with."
I talked to Taylor for about 20 minutes in the podcast below about his new role.
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