Former Indiana Men’s Basketball Players File Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Abuse by Team Doctor
A third former Indiana men’s basketball player, John Flowers, has come forward alleging that team doctor Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr. sexually abused him during his time playing for Indiana in the early 1980s. Flowers joins former players Haris Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller in a class-action lawsuit against the Indiana University Trustees. Flowers claimed that he was subjected to at least two unnecessary prostate examinations by Bomba.
According to the lawsuit, Flowers was told by teammates that he had “passed” Bomba’s test after his initial physical, only to be forced to undergo further digital rectal examinations. The lawsuit also names longtime men’s basketball trainer Tim Garl as a defendant, alleging that he was aware of Bomba subjecting players to invasive procedures.
The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Indiana, alleges that Bomba may have sexually abused around 100 male athletes during his time at the school. Despite these allegations, Indiana University spokesperson Mark Bode stated that the school does not comment on ongoing litigation. The university has hired a private law firm to conduct an independent review of the claims.
Flowers, Mujezinovic, and Miller are suing Garl and the Indiana University Trustees under Title IX. Bomba, now 88, is not listed as a defendant in the lawsuit. During a deposition in December 2024, Bomba invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination regarding the alleged examinations on Hoosier athletes.
This lawsuit adds to the growing allegations of sexual abuse within the Indiana men’s basketball program, shedding light on a disturbing pattern of misconduct that has impacted multiple players over the years.
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