Belmont Well-Represented in NBA Finals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Three Belmont University graduates will be on one of the biggest international stages in sports, taking part in the 2025 NBA Finals.
 
Ben Sheppard ('23), Paris Lawson ('19) and Drew Hanlen ('12) each wore the Belmont uniform proudly and have gone on to enjoy remarkable success in their respective fields.
 
Sheppard is in his second season as a member of the Indiana Pacers. Drafted No. 26 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Sheppard has been a trusted member of the Pacers' playoff rotation each of the last two seasons.
 
The 6-6 wing is averaging 14.1 minutes per game this postseason, playing virtually the entire fourth quarter of Indiana's series-clinching victory over New York in the Eastern Conference Finals.
 
He scored a playoff career-high 14 points vs. Cleveland May 11.
 
Sheppard has shown dependability and earned trust from the Indiana coaching staff, defending top guards Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell among others.
 
Based on years of experience, Sheppard is the youngest player in Indiana's playoff rotation.
 
The Atlanta native led Belmont to 98 victories and three conference championships during his decorated career.
 
Lawson is in her sixth season as a sideline reporter and studio host for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
 
The former Belmont women's basketball guard was a member of the Bruins' historic four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2016 through 2019.
 
An award-winning broadcaster, Lawson has documented the Thunder's Western Conference championship season as a member of the regional sports network (RSN) broadcast team and Thunder organization's digital platforms.
 
The Old Hickory, Tennessee native also hosts the official Thunder podcast as well as pre- and post-game shows.
 
Hanlen is recognized as one of the top basketball skills development trainers in the world.
 
Among his clients, Hanlen trains Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Thunder forward Chet Holmgren.
 
Hanlen also works with NBA and Olympic champion Jayson Tatum and 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid.
 
The St. Louis, Missouri native was recently featured by NBA reporter Jared Weiss for his singular training methods and business savvy.
 
Hanlen was named First Team All-Atlantic Sun in 2012 and holds the Belmont NCAA Division I era single-season record for 3-point field goal percentage (.482).
 
He graduated from Belmont's acclaimed entrepreneurship program, is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and founder of Pure Sweat Basketball.
 
Belmont hall of fame inductee Ian Clark ('13) represented the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 and 2017 NBA Finals.
 
The 2025 NBA Finals begin June 5. All games will be broadcast on ABC and the ESPN app.
 
About Belmont University  
Located two miles from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University comprises nearly 9,000 students from every state and 33 countries. Nationally ranked and consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for innovation in higher education, the University offers more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master's programs and eight doctoral degrees. With a focus on whole-person formation and data-informed social innovation, Belmont is committed to forming diverse leaders of character equipped to solve the world's complex problems. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.