Taelon Peter

Peter is an American guard who reached the NBA through the 2025 draft after an unconventional path through three collegiate programs, including Division II basketball. Selected 54th overall by the Indiana Pacers, he brings athleticism, shooting efficiency, and a two-sport background to the professional level.

Born Taelon Joseph Peter on February 27, 2002, in Russellville, Arkansas, he attended Russellville High School, where he competed in basketball and track and field as a high jumper. He won two state championships in the high jump and in basketball, averaging 16 points per game as a senior. He was named Class 5A West Player of the Year, River Valley Now Player of the Year, and all-state in both sports. He signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Tech in 2020.

Peter played only six games as a freshman at Tennessee Tech before transferring to NCAA Division II Arkansas Tech. He averaged 10 points in 25 games off the bench in 2021–22, then became a starter in 2022–23, averaging 15.5 points while shooting 44 percent from the field. In 2023–24, he was named Great American Conference Player of the Year and first-team All-GAC after averaging 18.5 points and starting every game.

Peter transferred to Liberty for his final season of eligibility in 2024–25. He averaged 13.7 points and four rebounds, earning third-team All-Conference USA and Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year. He led Conference USA in free throw percentage and was the national leader with a true shooting percentage of 72.4 percent. The Indiana Pacers selected him 54th overall in the 2025 NBA draft.

Peter functions as an athletic guard with elite shooting efficiency, transition speed, and a frame built for defensive versatility. His Division II Player of the Year honor and subsequent Division I success illustrate a player who thrived with increased competition. In the NBA, his development centers on three-point volume, defensive toughness, and proving himself on a two-way contract with the Pacers.