Aaron Nesmith’s Game 1 heroics leave his high school coach in awe

May 23, 2025 5:59 PM

Aaron Nesmith’s stunning Game 1 performance in the Eastern Conference Finals has not only electrified Indiana Pacers fans – it’s also left those who’ve known him longest in a state of disbelief.

Following Nesmith’s incredible 8-for-9 shooting night from three-point range that helped the Pacers snatch a dramatic road victory in New York, his high school coach, John “JP” Pearson, found himself struggling to put the moment into words.

Speaking with Shakeia Taylor and Jay King of The Athletic, Pearson recalled calling Nesmith late that night to try to make sense of what had just unfolded.

“I’m over there telling him, ‘I’m not quite sure what I just saw, Aaron,’” Pearson said of the emotional call. The surreal nature of the performance wasn’t lost on him.

“And Aaron was like, ‘Yeah, we won the game.’ And I told him, ‘No, Aaron, I was living when Reggie Miller did all that and it’s being compared right now.’ And he goes, ‘I don’t think I was born.’”

Nesmith’s response, half humble, half humorous, underscored just how rare his shooting display was.

The mention of Reggie Miller’s legendary clutch performances at Madison Square Garden wasn’t made lightly; Miller is forever etched in NBA lore for his iconic moments against the Knicks.

Now, Nesmith is starting to carve out his chapter in Pacers postseason history.

For Pearson, who’s watched Nesmith’s journey from high school prospect to NBA sharpshooter, the performance was a proud but surreal full-circle moment, one that invited comparisons with one of Indiana’s all-time greats.

And while Nesmith may not have been born when Miller was lighting up the Garden, he now knows exactly what that kind of magic feels like.