Basketball fans all across the country take tremendous pride in the basketball players that hail from their area. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ first ever NBA title win in 2016 was made all the more special because Ohio’s own LeBron James was the driving force behind the championship.
Even though basketball players often leave their home state to play in college and the NBA, these athletes are forever associated with their home state. With the ever growing attention to high school scouting and to events like the McDonald’s All-American game, hoops superstars can become famous in their teens, when they are still living and representing their home state.
To determine the best basketball player from every state, 24/7 Wall St. used NBA statistics from Basketball Reference to review the longevity, accolades, and successes of NBA players. The players’ home states are the ones in which they attended high school. In smaller states, like Maine and Vermont, there are postgraduate high school programs some players briefly arkansaattended to attract scouting attention before they played college basketball. These programs were considered when compiling the list, even if the player had not lived in the state where they went to school previously.
Some of these players have had such remarkable skill and athleticism that they began dominating the NBA right out of high school, in their teens and early 20s. These are the youngest athletes to dominate their sport.
Each state has at least one NBA player residents can take pride in. For some states, those players are all they have to root for when watching the NBA. North Carolina’s Charlotte Hornets, for example, have been one of the worst franchises in the NBA. Still, North Carolinians had much to root for when legend Michael Jordan dominated the NBA as a member of the Chicago Bulls. Jordan has even purchased a controlling interest in the Hornets, but he has yet managed to turn the team around. These are the teams that have never won a championship.
Click here to see the best basketball player from every state.
Alabama: Charles Barkley
> Attended high school in: Leeds
> Team(s): Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1984-2000
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 11x All-Star
> Also considered: DeMarcus Cousins, George McGinnis
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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Alaska: Carlos Boozer
> Attended high school in: Juneau
> Team(s): Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, 2 others
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 2002-2015
> Accolades: 2x All-Star
> Also considered: Mario Chalmers
See all stories featuring: Alaska
Arizona: Fat Lever
> Attended high school in: Tucson
> Team(s): Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1982-1994
> Accolades: 2x All-Star
> Also considered: Richard Jefferson
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Arkansas: Scottie Pippen
> Attended high school in: Hamburg
> Team(s): Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets
> Position: Small forward
> Career: 1987-2004
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 7x All-Star, 6x Champion
> Also considered: Glen Rice, Sidney Moncrief
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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California: Bill Russell
> Attended high school in: Oakland
> Team(s): Boston Celtics
> Position: Center
> Career: 1956-1969
> Accolades: 12x All-Star, 11x Champion, 5x MVP
> Also considered: Gary Payton, Paul Pierce
See all stories featuring: California
Colorado: Chauncey Billups
> Attended high school in: Denver
> Team(s): Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1997-2014
> Accolades: 5x All-Star, 1x Champion
> Also considered: Charles Williams
See all stories featuring: Colorado
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Connecticut: Calvin Murphy
> Attended high school in: Norwalk
> Team(s): Houston Rockets
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1970-1983
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 1x All-Star
> Also considered: Marcus Camby, Rick Mahorn
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Delaware: Donte DiVincenzo
> Attended high school in: Wilmington
> Team(s): Milwaukee Bucks
> Position: Shooting guard
> Career: 2018-present
> Accolades: N/A
> Also considered: Laron Profit
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Florida: Vince Carter
> Attended high school in: Daytona Beach
> Team(s): Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, 6 others
> Position: Shooting guard
> Career: 1998-present
> Accolades: 8x All-Star, Rookie of the Year
> Also considered: Mitch Richmond, Eddit Jones
See all stories featuring: Florida
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Georgia: Walt Frazier
> Attended high school in: Atlanta
> Team(s): New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1967-1979
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 7x All-Star, 2x Champion
> Also considered: Dwight Howard, Horace Grant
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Hawaii: Red Rocha
> Attended high school in: Hilo
> Team(s): Syracuse Nationals, St. Louis Bombers, 2 others
> Position: Center
> Career: 1947-1957
> Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1x Champion
> Also considered: N/A
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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Idaho: Steve Hayes
> Attended high school in: Aberdeen
> Team(s): Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, 4 others
> Position: Center
> Career: 1981-1986
> Accolades: N/A
> Also considered: Gary Freeman
See all stories featuring: Idaho
Illinois: Kevin Garnett
> Attended high school in: Chicago
> Team(s): Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1995-2016
> Accolades: 15x All-Star, 1x MVP, 1x Champion
> Also considered: Isiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Indiana: Larry Bird
> Attended high school in: French Lick
> Team(s): Boston Celtics
> Position: Small forward
> Career: 1979-1992
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 3x Champion
> Also considered: Oscar Robertson
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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Iowa: Kyle Korver
> Attended high school in: Pella
> Team(s): Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, 4 others
> Position: Shooting guard
> Career: 2003-present
> Accolades: 1x All-Star
> Also considered: Kirk Hinrich
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Kansas: Danny Manning
> Attended high school in: Lawrence
> Team(s): Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, 5 others
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1988-2003
> Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1x Sixth man of the Year
> Also considered: Antoine Carr
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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Kentucky: Wes Unseld
> Attended high school in: Louisville
> Team(s): Baltimore / Washington Bullets
> Position: Center
> Career: 1968-1981
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 1x MVP, 1x Champion, 5x All-Star
> Also considered: Cliff Hagan, Dave Cowens
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
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Louisiana: Karl Malone
> Attended high school in: Summerfield
> Team(s): Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1985-2004
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 14x All-Star
> Also considered: Bob Pettit, Robert Parish
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Maine: Brad Miller
> Attended high school in: Pittsfield
> Team(s): Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, 4 others
> Position: Center
> Career: 1998-2012
> Accolades: 2x All-Star
> Also considered: Caron Butler, Cuttino Mobley
See all stories featuring: Maine
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Maryland: Kevin Durant
> Attended high school in: Rockville
> Team(s): Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets
> Position: Small forward
> Career: 2007-present
> Accolades: 1x MVP, 2x Champion, 10x All-Star, 4x Scoring Champ
> Also considered: Adrian Dantley
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Massachusetts: Patrick Ewing
> Attended high school in: Cambridge
> Team(s): New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics, Orlando Magic
> Position: Center
> Career: 1985-2002
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 11x All-Star
> Also considered: Dana Barros
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
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Michigan: Magic Johnson
> Attended high school in: Lansing
> Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1979-1996
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 5x Champion, 12x All-Star
> Also considered: George Gervin
See all stories featuring: Michigan
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Minnesota: Kevin McHale
> Attended high school in: Hibbing
> Team(s): Boston Celtics
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1980-1993
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 7x All-Star, 3x Champion
> Also considered: Vern Mikkelsen
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Mississippi: Antonio McDyess
> Attended high school in: Quitman
> Team(s): Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, 3 others
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1995-2011
> Accolades: 1x All-Star
> Also considered: Erick Dampier
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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Missouri: Ed Macauley
> Attended high school in: St. Louis
> Team(s): Boston Celtics, St. Louis Bombers, St. Louis Hawks
> Position: Center
> Career: 1949-1959
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 7x All-Star, 1x MVP
> Also considered: Jo Jo White, Bill Bradley
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Montana: Larry Krystkowiak
> Attended high school in: Missoula
> Team(s): Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, 4 others
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1986-1997
> Accolades: N/A
> Also considered: Josh Huestis
See all stories featuring: Montana
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Nebraska: Bob Boozer
> Attended high school in: Omaha
> Team(s): Cincinnati Royals, Chicago Bulls, 4 others
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1960-1971
> Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1x Champion
> Also considered: Ron Boone
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
Nevada: Lionel Hollins
> Attended high school in: Las Vegas
> Team(s): Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, 3 others
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1975-1985
> Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1x Champion
> Also considered: Tristan Thompson
See all stories featuring: Nevada
New Hampshire: Matt Bonner
> Attended high school in: Concord
> Team(s): San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 2004-2016
> Accolades: 2x Champion
> Also considered: Will Barton
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
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New Jersey: Rick Barry
> Attended high school in: Roselle Park
> Team(s): San Francisco / Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, 2 others
> Position: Small forward
> Career: 1965-1980
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x All-Star, 1x Champion, 1x Scoring champ
> Also considered: Al Attles
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
New Mexico: Bill Bridges
> Attended high school in: Hobbs
> Team(s): St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, 2 others
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1963-1975
> Accolades: 3x All-Star, 1x Champion
> Also considered: Kenny Thomas
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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New York: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
> Attended high school in: New York
> Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks
> Position: Center
> Career: 1969-1989
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 6x MVP, 6x Champion, 19x All-Star
> Also considered: Julius Erving, Chris Mullin
See all stories featuring: New York
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North Carolina: Michael Jordan
> Attended high school in: Wilmington
> Team(s): Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
> Position: Shooting guard
> Career: 1984-2003
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 5x MVP, 6x Champion, 14x All-Star
> Also considered: Tracy McGrady
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
North Dakota: Phil Jackson
> Attended high school in: Williston
> Team(s): New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 1967-1980
> Accolades: 1x Champion
> Also considered: Les Jepsen
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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Ohio: LeBron James
> Attended high school in: Akron
> Team(s): Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers
> Position: Small forward
> Career: 2003-present
> Accolades: 15x All-Star, 4x MVP, 3x Champion
> Also considered: John Havlicek, Charles Oakley
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Oklahoma: Blake Griffin
> Attended high school in: Oklahoma City
> Team(s): Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 2010-present
> Accolades: 6x All-Star, Rookie of the Year
> Also considered: Mark Price, Alvan Adams
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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Oregon: Kevin Love
> Attended high school in: Lake Oswego
> Team(s): Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 2008-present
> Accolades: 5x All-Star, 1x Champion
> Also considered: Danny Ainge, A.C. Green
See all stories featuring: Oregon
Pennsylvania: Wilt Chamberlain
> Attended high school in: Philadelphia
> Team(s): Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers
> Position: Center
> Career: 1959-1973
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 4x MVP, 2x Champion, 13x All-Star
> Also considered: Kobe Bryant, Earl Monroe
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Rhode Island: Michael Carter-Williams
> Attended high school in: Barrington
> Team(s): Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, 4 others
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 2013-present
> Accolades: Rookie of the Year
> Also considered: Ernie DiGregorio
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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South Carolina: Ray Allen
> Attended high school in: Dalzell
> Team(s): Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, 2 others
> Position: Shooting guard
> Career: 1996-2014
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x All-Star, 2x Champion
> Also considered: Alex English
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
South Dakota: Mike Miller
> Attended high school in: Mitchell
> Team(s): Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, 5 others
> Position: Small forward
> Career: 2000-2017
> Accolades: 2x Champion, Rookie of the Year, 1x Sixth Man of the Year
> Also considered: Eric Piatkowski
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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Tennessee: Shawn Marion
> Attended high school in: Clarksville
> Team(s): Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, 3 others
> Position: Small forward
> Career: 1999-2015
> Accolades: 4x All-Star, 1x Champion
> Also considered: Bailey Howell
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Texas: Shaquille O’Neal
> Attended high school in: San Antonio
> Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, 4 others
> Position: Center
> Career: 1992-2011
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 1x MVP, 4x Champion, 15x All-Star
> Also considered: Clyde Drexler, Dennis Rodman
See all stories featuring: Texas
Utah: Shawn Bradley
> Attended high school in: Castle Dale
> Team(s): Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets
> Position: Center
> Career: 1993-2005
> Accolades: 1x Block champ
> Also considered: Fred Roberts
See all stories featuring: Utah
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Vermont: Bruce Brown
> Attended high school in: Saxtons River
> Team(s): Detroit Pistons
> Position: Shooting guard
> Career: 2018-present
> Accolades: N/A
> Also considered: N/A
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Virginia: Moses Malone
> Attended high school in: Petersburg
> Team(s): Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, 7 others
> Position: Center
> Career: 1974-1995
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 1x Champion, 13x All-Star
> Also considered: Allen Iverson, David Robinson
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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Washington: John Stockton
> Attended high school in: Spokane
> Team(s): Utah Jazz
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1984-2003
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x All-Star, career leader in steals and assists
> Also considered: Jamal Crawford, Detlef Schrempf
See all stories featuring: Washington
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West Virginia: Jerry West
> Attended high school in: East Bank
> Team(s): Los Angeles Lakers
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1960-1974
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 14x All-Star, 1x Champion
> Also considered: Hal Greer
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Wisconsin: Terry Porter
> Attended high school in: Milwaukee
> Team(s): Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, 2 others
> Position: Point guard
> Career: 1985-2002
> Accolades: 2x All-Star
> Also considered: Fred Brown, Latrell Sprewell
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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Wyoming: James Johnson
> Attended high school in: Cheyenne
> Team(s): Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, 3 others
> Position: Power forward
> Career: 2009-present
> Accolades: N/A
> Also considered: Vern Gardner
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
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