While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He went across the country to UCLA for college ball, where he was the best player on the 1964 national championship team that went 30-0. His story still unfolding. It was a toss-up between a pair of legendary Hall of Famers but Moses Malone edged out Allen Iverson for the crown of Virginias best baller. Initially, in 1994, with Olajuwon as the teams best player, the Rockets won their first NBA title by defeating the New York Knicks. In the NBA, Bonner spent most of his 12 seasons as a backup power forward, playing behind Tim Duncan in San Antonio. Don't have a commenting profile? In the NBA, West helped the Lakers improve their win total by 11 and the Lakers made the playoffs in his rookie campaign. Starting alongside Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and A.C. Green. High school: Mauldin High School (Mauldin, S.C.)/Farragut Academy (Chicago, Ill.), Pros: Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-07, 2015-16), Boston Celtics (2007-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-15). But before they were pros, basketball greats had to put in work to perfect their craft. He was a military brat because of his own fathers military service, which led to frequent moving and likely made the nomadic life of a professional athlete easier on him. He was born in Spokane and stayed in his hometown through his college years, when he was a star player at Gonzaga. His 13-year-old daughter Gianna also passed away in the crash. The native of Anchorage eventually played high school ball there before departing for a warmer climate at the University of Kansas, where hed lead the Jayhawks to an NCAA championship in 2008. Its played in over many countries with many variations of the game. It wasnt just his God-given talent but his work ethic and determination to be the best that made him great. In 2014, Taurasi earned MVP honors again while helping the Mercury set a single-season wins record with 29 and win another championship. Pros: Denver Nuggets (1990-96), Sacramento Kings (1996-98), Fenerbahce (1998-99), Vancouver Grizzlies (2000-01), Ural Great (2003-04), Sedima Roseto (2004-05), Aris BC (2006-07), Al-Ittihad (2007-08), Kyoto Hannaryz (2009-11). But Bryants career and impact on the league were indelible and his signature toughness partly came from learning to play ball in his native Philadelphia. He played for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards and is known for his incredible scoring ability and clutch performances. Learn more and register While the late Kobe Bryant would seem like the obvious choice to represent his home state, there was a lot of great competition representing Pennsylvania. Ceballos bounced around with five teams over his lengthy career, averaging 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a small forward. Who else could represent Indiana but The Hick from French Lick? Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs (population: 475), in Indianas French Lick Township and would make his home state proud by taking Indiana State to the NCAA championship game in 1979. Mamba came to the NBA straight out of high school there and spent his entire Hall-of-Fame career with the Lakers, winning five titles and making 18 All-Star Game appearances, which is one off of the all-time record. Kobe Bryant developed his closing skills in his youth on the way to greatness. Bill Laimbeer was born in Boston and the toughness associated with that town would follow him to Detroit, where he became one of the most feared defenders in the NBA for his rough style of play in the 1980s. Following his 10-year playing career, Hollins wore a coaching suit for over 30 years. The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. In 1995 they won again, beating the Orlando Some areas like New York, Chicago and Southern California are famous for breeding ballers. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer. But he didnt earn his place on this list though some sort of vague, ethereal winningness. Russell was one of the fiercest defenders of all time and he redefined the value of blocking shots, in addition to averaging an incredible 22.5 rebounds per game over his career. The uber-confident Bird had arguably the quickest release of anyone to ever play basketball and hed often let his defender know that the shot was going in soon after it left his hands. Nokomis to the first boys basketball title in school history. Since 2002, Laimbeer has been coaching in the WNBA. He finished his two-year college career with averages of 15.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game for Wake Forest. B Cindy Blodgett Brett LeBron James overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBAs leading scorer in February 2023.]. Basketball players come from all over America: cold states, warm states and everything in between. After college, he was drafted fifth overall in the NBA draft by the New York Knicks and led the franchise to its only two championships in 1970 and 1973. After that, Hazzard spent 10 seasons playing guard in the NBA, averaging 12.6 points per game and making the All-Star Game with the Seattle SuperSonics during the 1967-68 season. Stockton was a 10-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection and is possibly the best pure point guard in history. After leading Nokomis to the first boys basketball title in school history, Cooper and Ace will continue their basketball careers at Floridas Montverde Academy, a school that regularly produces college and NBA players. He was born in Oklahoma City and delighted the basketball fans in his home state when he stayed home to play college ball at the University of Oklahoma. Know Double Dribble Rules. The Hall of Famer edged out Wes Unseld and Rajon Rondo as the best from the Bluegrass State because of his lengthy list of accolades from the league. He was born in Grand Forks, which is one of the biggest cities in the state, but spent his high school and college careers in California. Jerry West is synonymous with basketball in his home state, as he was born in tiny Chelyan before becoming a national star at the University of West Virginia in the late 1950s. She was an All-American as a freshman and sophomore in high school and led her team o four consecutive state championship appearances. Long before Larry Bird became an NBA Hall of Famer, he was "The Hick From French Lick" a basketball prodigy from Indiana who set the all-time scoring record at Springs Valley High School, averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds and four assists his senior year. Born: December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Ind. Calvin Murphy was born and raised in Norwalk, which is in the New York City metro area. After that, he declared for the NBA draft and was selected third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats. The Hall of Famer averaged a career double double of 17.8 points and 10 rebounds per game. Current star Domantas Sabonis could take the honor of Oregons best in years to come but for now it belongs to Brandon. Every decision he and his twin brother, Ace, have made when it comes to their burgeoning basketball careers has been made by the Flagg family with much thought. In one season of high school ball, hes well on his way. If you liked our article please leave your comments in the comment section below. Before he was a two-time All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Terrell Brandon was born and raised in Portland. She was the No. Moreover, his rivalry with Magic Johnsonwho, spoiler alert, youll see a bit later in this listduring the 1980s launched basketball into an unprecedented level of national popularity that the sport has never fallen from. The mans desire to be the best is legendary and propelled him to six championships, five MVP awards, All-Star appearances in every full season he played, and the status as possibly the best defender ever. After several NBA summer league stops, Carroll went to Real Madrid, where he helped them win the EuroLeague championship in 2014-2015 and in May 2018. Sheryl Swoopes is a Texas legend. The leading scorer in National Basketball Association (NBA) history is just the 10th-best player ever? You will receive an email to complete the registration. After playing college ball at Florida, Miller was a first-round pick by the Orlando Magic in 2000 and would spend time with seven different franchises during his 17-season career. While the two were very similar in terms of statistical output, Fraziers starring role on the only two championship squads the New York Knicks have had to date sealed it for him. Olajuwon led his college squad to three straight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships and also earned a reputation as a dominating defensive player with an agile ability to hit shots from all over the court. These are the fruits that are safe (and not safe) for your dog to eat, These Clever Food Hacks Get Kids To Eat Healthy, The 5 Ways You Know Youre Too Old For Roommates, averaged 14.1 points and 7 rebounds per game, average 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, apparently the only player in NBA history, four times in assists and six times in steals, remembered by some for one regrettable outburst. Davis was a career 13.5-point scorer but had his best season with Cleveland in 2002-03, when he started 76 games and averaged 20.6 points per game. the best power forwards in the NBA right now, NBA Teams With Championships And Titles In The World, Who Has The Most Steals In An NBA Game? Create one. New Mexicos all-time hoops hero, Bill Bridges, spent 13 seasons in the NBA during the 1960s and 70s. Following a college career in California, his only All-Star season would happen there as well, while he was playing with the Lakers in 1995. Born: Feb. 13, 1981, in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, High school: Blaine High School (Blaine, Wash.), Pros: Seattle SuperSonics (2003-08), Milwaukee Bucks (2008-10, 2013-14), Minnesota Timberwolves (2010-13), Charlotte Bobcats (2014), Orlando Magic (2014-15). He won the All-Star and regular-season MVPs. In college, Stockton starred at Gonzaga, leading the Bulldogs to their best record in 17 years at 17-11 during his senior season. Before Michael Jordan became the greatest basketball player to walk the earth, he played at Emsley A. Laney High School in North Carolina. In the WNBA, she spent one season with the Cleveland Rockers before being traded to the Sacramento Monarchs and playing three more seasons. Michael also earned the nicknames Air Jordan and His Airness. He averaged 14.1 points and 7 rebounds per game during his time in the league. The best of the best graduate to the NBA and WNBA. His unique blend of power and speed raised eyebrows, and he was drafted No. Robinson hurt his back in 1997 in the preseason, but it proved to be a blessing in disguise as the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan, the key to the elusive championship for Robinson. Before Tyler Johnson developed his all-around game at Fresno State, averaging 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals. He was an eight-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA pick who averaged 18.8 points per game over the last nine years of his career. In 2004 Lebron became NBA Rookie of the Year. He got into tussles with multiple players, including Michael Jordan, and was a key component to the Celtics championships in 1984 and 1986. Thats what social media does. And, frankly, its sort of fun tweaking all the Chicagoans who are surprisingly defensive about their sporting accomplishments. Pros: Pallacanestro Messina (2003-04), Toronto Raptors (2004-06), San Antonio Spurs (2006-16). The Flaggs should sprint toward this opportunity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. Before he became synonymous with South Florida hoops, Wade was a star high school player in the suburb of Oak Lawn. Hes potential personified. The school won a back-to-back title, with a 31-0 record in Robertsons senior season. 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