In an expected move, the Indiana Pacers signed 2025 second-round pick Taelon Peter to a two-way deal earlier today. Peter was selected with the No. 54 pick out of Liberty University, becoming the highest draft pick in the Flames program’s history.
“The Indiana Pacers and No. 54 pick Taelon Peter have agreed to a two-way deal,” Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.com tweeted. “Peter averaged 13.7 points on 57.8 percent shooting from the field and 45.3 percent from 3-point range last season at Liberty University.”
2025 2nd Rounder Becomes Highest Draft Pick from Liberty To Ink NBA Contract, Potentially 7th Flame To Play At Highest Level
Peter, from Russellville (Ark.), is the third-ever NBA Draft pick from Liberty. The athletic 6-4 sharpshooting guard is known for his ability to put the ball in the basket and his versatility. He does have to work on improving his defense and playmaking.
Peter began his collegiate career at Tennessee Tech, where he played just six games. Peter then moved to Division II Arkansas Tech, where he played three seasons with the Wonder Boys before transferring to Liberty. The 2024-25 Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year led the conference in free throw shooting while averaging 13.7 points and 2.2 threes while shooting 57.8% from the field and 45.3% from beyond the arc.
Peter demonstrated some of his elite-level scoring and playmaking abilities during the NBA Summer League, although he struggled with shooting from beyond the arc. Peter scored at least seven points in all four of his contests in Las Vegas, scoring a personal-high 15 against Oklahoma City on July 12. He averaged 9.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 24 minutes. He shot 57.1% from the field, but knocked down just 4 of 17 from deep (26.7%), and turnovers were an issue.
“We like a lot of things he does as far as playing without the ball, his shooting, his movement,” Indiana general manager Chad Buchanan recently said about Peter’s game. I thought he showed very encouraging signs defending the ball in Las Vegas.”
Expect Peter to spend most of the 2025-26 season, if not all, with the G-League Noblesville Boom. Peter joins RayJ Dennis and Quenton Jackson on minor league deals. In a corresponding move, the Pacers released Enrique Freeman from his two-way contract.
NBA Draft Picks From Liberty
Peter is the highest-ever NBA draft pick from Liberty and the Flames’ third overall selection. Ezra Hill was the Flames’ first-ever NBA draft selection. Hill was selected with the 218th overall pick in the 10th round by the Phoenix Suns. Meanwhile, Cliff Webber was chosen in the fourth round by the Boston Celtics with the 93rd overall pick in the 1994 draft. Neither Hill nor Webber played in the NBA.
Peter could get some time during training camp with the Pacers. Even if he doesn’t, Peter may eventually become the seventh Flame to suit up in the NBA or the WNBA.
Julius Nwosu is the first Flame to play in the NBA. Nwosu saw minimal action in 23 games with San Antonio during the 1994-95 campaign. Meanwhile, Peter Aluma saw five minutes of action in two contests for Sacramento during 1998-99.
Seth Curry, the older brother of Stephen Curry, is the most well-known NBA player with ties to Liberty. Curry began his college career at Liberty, though he only played one season for the Flames before transferring to Duke. The 34-year-old guard is a free agent, though there are rumors that there is mutual interest in signing with Golden State to play with his brother.
WNBA Players From Liberty
On the women’s side, Liberty has had three players participate in the WNBA, with two of them being drafted. Katie Mattera was the first female to get drafted and is the only Flame to be selected in the first round. Mattera was chosen with the No. 8 pick in the 2005 draft by the Connecticut Sun. She played 150 games throughout five seasons.
Megan Frazee, selected in the second round of the 2009 draft, saw action in 39 contests over two seasons with the San Antonio Silver Stars. Avery Warley-Talbert went undrafted but appeared in 113 career WNBA games over seven seasons.
Photo Credit: Steven Bisig, Imagn Images
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