Members of the Indiana House Representatives and Indiana Senate faced off on the court at Gainbridge Field House for the 2025 Indiana Legislative Basketball Game Monday night. During the 43-31 “shootout” the House team came out victorious.
However, multiple Indiana legislators were injured during play.
The House’s standout player who helped the representatives secure a win was Rep. Hunter Smith, R-Zionsville. Before politics he was a NFL punter, including a stint with the Indianapolis Colts.
Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, was an Anderson University basketball player and was identified by other lawmakers as the MVP for the senate team.
“They were a bunch of bruisers,” said Gaskill about the House team.
Despite the smiles and banter from the legislators Tuesday morning, at least four lawmakers came into work battered and bruised as a result of their antics on the hardwood.
Rep. Alex Burton, D-Evansville, sustained a serious ankle injury during the game resulting in a departure by wheelchair after the game.
“Well, last night’s game was an exciting, yet wild ride! Big shoutout to the House for getting the win – I had an absolute blast playing alongside my colleagues. Unfortunately, I have played my last game of basketball,” said Burton in an email to TheStatehouseFile.com. “This is my 3rd (and final) basketball related injury since my high school playing days. I will now be seriously taking up golf, swimming, and other sports that require minimal movement.”
The Indiana Pacer’s court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, pictured here, was the same stage legislators competed on during the 2025 Indiana Legislative Basketball Game Monday night.
Photo provided.
Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, D-Fishers took a “tumble” during last night’s game, according to her staff. She was scheduled to speak to CASA volunteers Tuesday morning, but did not appear.
A member of the Senate team, Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington, was seen in the Senate chamber with bandages on his hand as a result of a thumb injury.
“It’s a brutal game out there, especially when the House and Senate get together,” said Zay. “I think you had a lot of left-footed players out there tripping over each other.”
The final injury of the game happened to Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith who played on the Senate team. He was seen with an ice pack wrapped around his ankle.
Despite the injury, Beckwith was walking around Tuesday afternoon and performing his duties presiding over the Senate. He laughed off the loss and the pain in his ankle.
“When you have a former NFL player for the Indianapolis Colts on the floor like Hunter Smith, and you’re playing on the home court for the Pacers,” Beckwith said, “anything can happen.”
Schyler Altherr is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
