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Former NBA player Butch Carter has become the fifth ex-Indiana University basketball player to accuse longtime team physician Dr. Bradford Bomba of sexual abuse. According to a lawsuit filed on March 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Carter alleged that he was subjected to inappropriate and medically unjustified examinations during his time with the Hoosiers in 1979.
Details of Carter’s Complaint
Carter’s lawsuit claims that during a routine physical, Dr. Bomba performed a rectal examination without medical justification. “Dr. Bomba put on gloves, lubed his fingers, and told Carter to bend over the table,” Carter recalled in his affidavit, adding that this was the first time he had ever undergone a rectal exam as part of a standard physical.
He further testified that prior physicals conducted by another university physician, Dr. Robert Miller, never included such procedures, which raised concerns about the legitimacy of Bomba’s actions.
University Officials Ignored Carter’s Report
Following the alleged abuse, Carter reported the incident to then-Indiana head coach Bobby Knight, team trainer Bob Young, and university official George Taliaferro. Despite his concerns, Carter claims that no action was taken, and he was compelled to continue receiving medical care from Dr. Bomba.
“When I told Coach Knight that I didn’t want to see Dr. Bomba again, he told me, ‘You’re going to take a physical,’” Carter testified in his statement.
Lawsuit Under Title IX and Other Plaintiffs
The suit claiming sexual abuse also invokes the Title IX provision that requires colleges and universities to act to protect students against sexual abuse. Besides Carter, four other former Indiana players-John Flowers, Haris Mujezinovic, Charlie Miller, and Larry Richardson Jr.-have made similar allegations against Dr. Bomba.
In the deposition on 4 December 2024, Dr. Bomba invoked his Fifth Amendment right over 45 times when asked about the charges, now at the venerable age of 88 years.
Indiana University's Response to Allegations
As a response, Indiana University hired a law firm to investigate the allegations. The university has not yet given an official statement regarding the specific accusations leveled against Dr. Bomba or the university officials named.
Background on Carter and Why He Chose to Go Public
Carter, a native of Ohio, played for Indiana University between 1976 and 1980 before being drafted in the second round of the 1980 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. After that, he played for the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks before coaching. He came to prominence as head coach of the Toronto Raptors from 1998 to 2000.
Carter Hopes More Victims Will Speak Up
Reflecting on his decision to come forward, Carter expressed pride in sharing his experience and encouraged others to do the same. “I am proud to come forward, and I hope that other IU basketball players will come forward to share their experiences publicly,” Carter said.
As the lawsuit progresses, Carter’s courage in speaking out has added momentum to the growing call for accountability and justice at Indiana University.
