The greatest basketball player ever of each U.S. state

Talent coming from all corners of the nation

It's no surprise in the United States, that talent comes from all corners of the nation, but who is the best player from every state? Let's take a look. All statistics are sourced from Basketball Reference.

Alabama: Charles Barkley

Alabama is a great place to start our deep dive, considering that its native son is one of the most popular basketball players of all time. Younger fans know Barkley for his television analyst work, and older fans remember his heyday with the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns. Barkley often talks about his childhood growing up in Leeds, Alabama, and his college days at Auburn University.

Arizona: Sean Elliott

C.J. Holmes of The Athletic wrote that Elliott is considered the greatest player in the University of Arizona's storied basketball history, which is saying something. He was born in Tucson, so he felt destined to become a future Wildcats star. Elliott is also known as a San Antonio Spurs legend, having spent 11 of his 12 NBA seasons there. He also is a color commentator for their games.

Arkansas: Scottie Pippen

Anyone who watched The Last Dance documentary is well aware of the humble beginnings Pippen came from in Arkansas. As the film and others have noted, he was the youngest of 12 children growing up in a small rural town. HoopsHype's Frank Urbina and other NBA legends have called Pippen the greatest perimeter defender of all time.

California: James Harden

There is no shortage of viable candidates to pick from in California, with Reggie Miller, Jason Kidd, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and many others to choose from. It was a tough call, but we'll give the slight edge to Harden. He has probably combined scoring and play making better than any of the aforementioned names. While this is a debatable one, Harden has scored the most NBA points of anyone born in California.

Colorado: Chauncey Billups

Billups told ESPN about how he got the nicknamed "Mr. Big Shot". Once Detroit Pistons head coach Rick Carlisle gave him a chance to close games, Billups showed he wasn't afraid of the big moment. "Now, over the course of two weeks, I hit two game-winners and got the nickname. It never let up. Rick Mahorn was the first one to call me Mr. Big Shot." Billups was instrumental for Detroit's title-winning team in 2004.

Connecticut: Calvin Murphy

Shot-blocking menace Marcus Camby would have been a great choice here, but we went with Houston Rockets scoring legend Calvin Murphy. He only stood 5'9ft (2.74 m) tall, but Murphy had a way of scoring over the giants that tried to defend him in the 1970s and 1980s. The Basketball Hall of Fame's website also noted that he once scored 68 points in a college game.

Delaware: Walt Hazzard

Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duren might be the answer here in a few years, but we'll stick with Hazzard for now. He had a solid 10-year NBA career, but was perhaps best known for his stellar collegiate career at UCLA. He averaged 16 points per game for the Bruins, and helped lead the school to the national championship in 1964.

Florida: Vince Carter

As one might imagine, Florida has produced a boatload of great NBA players. David Robinson and Artis Gilmore would have been excellent choices here, but we'll go with "Half-Man, Half-Amazing". After all, Carter is the only NBA player ever to suit up in a game in four different decades, as the NBA's website noted. His longevity and his iconic dunks make him an ideal pick here.

Georgia: Clyde Frazier

Dwight Howard fans might quibble with our pick here, but we're paying respect to a New York Knicks legend who delivered historic NBA Finals performances. In Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, Frazier scored 36 points, recorded 19 assists and pulled down seven rebounds, in addition to playing his usual brand of stellar defense. Anthony Edwards will surely be in the conversation to make this list by the time he retires.

Hawaii: Cedric Ceballos

While Hawaii has produced hoops talent over the years, they haven't exactly had a blue-chipper that stands out just yet. With that said, Ceballos is probably their best homegrown product. Many fans believe he never reached his potential, but he was a rising star with the Phoenix Suns early in his career. He averaged over 21 points per game for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1994-1995 season.

Illinois: Dwyane Wade

Illinois is a hotbed of basketball talent. Anthony Davis, Derrick Rose, Isiah Thomas, Mark Aguirre and others would have been great selections, but we went with Wade. Renowned NBA writer Tom Haberstroh wrote, "Wade was the best shot-blocking guard in NBA history," which is a reminder of his elite defensive ability that complimented his phenomenal offensive skills.

Indiana: Larry Bird

There are few players more closely associated with their home state than Larry Bird is with Indiana. Scott Horner of the Indianapolis Star wrote, "Larry Bird is an Indiana basketball legend, starting at Springs Valley High School and running through his playing days at Indiana State and the Boston Celtics. He helped the Indiana Pacers reach great heights as a coach and executive."

Iowa: Caitlin Clark

We're going to give Clark some love here in the Iowa section. Other options would have included Harrison Barnes or Nick Collison, but Clark has completely transformed women's basketball. Her career at the University of Iowa was nothing short of transcendent, and early returns in the WNBA have been nothing but positive as well.

Kansas: Alvan Adams

Phoenix Suns fans might be familiar with Adams' career, but he is largely a forgotten man in NBA history. He spent all 13 years of his career with the Suns, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds for his career. The NBA's website also wrote a story about Adams' diet, where he once allegedly ate 47 chicken wings before a game. He clearly knew how to fuel up.

Kentucky: Rajon Rondo

Few players have ever been able to distribute the ball like Rajon Rondo. He led the offense of two championship-winning teams and dictated every game with his incredible ball handling and basketball IQ. He played 16 years in the NBA and was a three-time assists leader.

Louisiana: Karl Malone

Louisiana has some stiff competition at the top, with Robert Parish, Elvin Hayes and Clyde Drexler all bringing strong cases. With all due respect to them, we're giving the crown to Malone. He's the third leading scorer in NBA history, and the legends profile on the NBA's website called him arguably the greatest power forward of all time. His longevity and durability in addition to his talent was unique to say the least.

Maine: Duncan Robinson

Duncan Robinson has the title for now. He's one of the most dangerous sharpshooters in the NBA, and makes teams pay from deep when he's left open. Cooper Flagg hails from Newport, Maine, and may snatch the top spot away from Robinson in a few years. He had a sensational freshman season at Duke University.

Maryland: Kevin Durant

We're going to slightly move things around here, as Durant was technically born in Washington D.C. However, Durant has often spoken about his upbringing in Maryland, once writing for Andscape, "I hail from Seat Pleasant, Maryland." Durant is one of the most lethal scorers the game has ever seen, and deserves a spot on this list.

Massachusetts: Bill Laimbeer

It might surprise fans to see Laimbeer as the torch-bearer of a state, but he is the most deserving Massachusetts hooper. He has the most points, rebounds, and blocks in the NBA of anyone born in the state, and it's not even close. Laimbeer is known for his rugged play with the Detroit Pistons, who won two consecutive titles in 1989 and 1990.

Minnesota: Kevin McHale

McHale has deep ties to his home state. He was a star forward with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the late 1970s, and was an executive for the Minnesota Timberwolves after his NBA career ended. McHale won three titles with the Boston Celtics, and won NBA Sixth Man of the Year twice. Charles Barkley often calls McHale the greatest player he ever played against.

Mississippi: Chet Walker

We'll go back to the NBA's early days to find the greatest player of all time from Mississippi. Walker might be one of the best players you've never heard of, as he's a Basketball Hall of Famer and a seven-time All-Star. As noted by the Basketball of Fame, Wilt Chamberlain once said, "Chet Walker was the greatest one-on-one player I've had the pleasure of seeing, playing with or against."

Missouri: Jayson Tatum

Jo Jo White is a Celtics legend. He's a seven-time All-Star, a two-time champion and a Basketball Hall of Famer. With that said, Tatum may have already eclipsed him, and still has a lot more time to bolster his already impressive resume. He should pass White in All-Star appearances, and has a great chance to match or exceed him in the title department. Tatum is going to finish up with much more impressive statistics as well.

Montana: Phil Jackson

Jackson's resume as a coach might be second to none, but his NBA playing career is also good enough to give him the edge in this realm as well. The likes of Adam Morrison and Larry Krystkowiak are Jackson's main competition, but the latter won two championships as a player with the New York Knicks in the 1970s.

Nebraska: Bob Boozer

The talent pool from Nebraska hasn't exactly been chock-full of NBA players, either, but Boozer did have a solid career in the 1960s and early 1970s. In 11 NBA seasons, Boozer averaged nearly 15 points per game to go along with eight rebounds. He won a championship in his final NBA season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Nevada: Greg Anthony

Anthony played on one of the most revered college basketball teams of all time at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. According to the Associated Press, he was the school's all-time leader in assists and steals, and the program retired his jersey. The southpaw also spent 11 years in the NBA, playing for six different teams.

New Hampshire: Matt Bonner

If you needed someone with a little height who was reliable from long range, Bonner was the man for the job. The 6'10ft (3 m) shooting specialist won two NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report ranked Bonner as the second best shooting big man of all-time in a 2020 piece. He couldn't really get his own shot, but was money if he got an open look.

New Jersey: Shaquille O’Neal

Many people associate O'Neal with glamour cities and states, but his story began in Newark, New Jersey. He told NJ Spotlight News about his time at the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, saying, "This is the place where it all started. Both parents had jobs, couldn't afford babysitters." The Hall of Fame center called the Boys and Girls Club his "safe haven".

New Mexico: Bill Bridges

Bridges had one of the most interesting statistical oddities take place over his 13-year NBA career. He averaged exactly 11.9 points and exactly 11.9 rebounds throughout his time as a pro, most of which came for the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks. He was a star at the University of Kansas before establishing himself as a defensive stalwart in the NBA.

North Carolina: James Worthy

North Carolina has an extremely rich basketball history, and there were a number of legendary players who got their start here. With all due respect to Chris Paul, Walt Bellamy, Bob McAdoo and others, we feel that James Worthy was the most... worthy. He won a national championship with the University of North Carolina, and three NBA titles with the Lakers.

North Dakota: Doug McDermott

McDermott doesn't have much competition as North Dakota's king. He never reached the same levels of fame in the NBA that he did with Creighton in college, but he's hung around long enough to play more than a decade in the pros. McDermott has been best known for his outside shooting touch.

Ohio: LeBron James

There are two right answers here for Ohio. LeBron James is the most famous player to ever come out of the state, but many fans might not realize that Stephen Curry was also born in Akron, Ohio. In fact, Katie Richcreek of Bleacher Report noted that Curry and James were born at the same exact hospital. It's one of the craziest coincidences in sports history.

Oklahoma: Blake Griffin

Griffin was a standout star at the University of Oklahoma for two seasons, winning National Player of the Year in 2009. He's probably best known for his rim-rattling dunks in the NBA. A Fox Sports ranking of the best dunkers ever placed Griffin second. While that might be a little generous, there's no doubt that he brought crowds to their feet during his prime with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Oregon: Domantas Sabonis

A.C. Green set the record for most consecutive games played in NBA history, and Danny Ainge had a great career as well. With that said, Domantas Sabonis is the most skilled player to come out of the state of Oregon. He was born in Portland in 1996 while his father Arvydas was a member of the Trail Blazers. Domantas Sabonis is one of the best rebounders in recent NBA history.

Pennsylvania: Kobe Bryant

Wilt Chamberlain and his insane statistics have a legitimate claim here, but we're going to give the nod to Bryant. While Bryant doesn't have a 100-point game to his name, he does have an 81-point outburst, not to mention five NBA titles. His legacy as one of the league's most successful players gives him the leg up.

Rhode Island: Marvin Barnes

We'll start off with the positives first. Barnes won Rookie of the Year in the ABA in 1975, averaging 24 points per game during the first two seasons of his career. Things never really worked out for him in the NBA, though, where he averaged just over nine points a game. According to Basketball Network, Marvin "Bad News" Barnes used to snort c o c a i n e on the Boston Celtics' bench, which ultimately led to his downfall.

South Carolina: Kevin Garnett

It seems like Garnett has the crown all to himself. The former Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics star is a 12-time NBA All-Defensive player, and won the rebounding title four times. We agree with Nina Mandell of USA Today, who once wrote, "Kevin Garnett... will go down as one of the most intense, if not the most intense, player to ever play the game."

South Dakota: Mike Miller

Miller did it all during his 17-year NBA career. He won Rookie of the Year in 2001 with the Orlando Magic, and he won Sixth Man of the Year in 2006 with the Memphis Grizzlies. He also won two NBA titles with the Miami Heat later in his career. Jonathan Abrams of Grantland wrote a piece in 2014 called "Everybody Loves Mike", alluding to his popularity with his teammates.

Texas: Chris Bosh

With Texas being one of the biggest states in the United States, there are many candidates for its greatest player. However, we have chosen Miami Heat legend Chris Bosh, who has won championships with LeBron James and Dwayne Wade and is an 11-time All-Star.

Utah: Byron Scott

Tom Chambers was an exciting player to watch, but the crown has to go to Scott here. He was an integral part of three Los Angeles Lakers championship teams in the 1980s. Scott was the type of player who didn't shrink when the lights were brightest, as he also had some big playoff moments with the Indiana Pacers in the mid 1990s.

Vermont: Taylor Coppenrath

It might be hard to believe in this day and age, but no one ever born in the state of Vermont has ever played in the NBA. As a result, we're going to select Coppenrath for the state's honor. The West Barnet native played four seasons for the University of Vermont, averaging over 21 points per game in that time.

Virginia: Moses Malone

Virginia's crown is a dead heat between Moses Malone and Allen Iverson, but we're giving the top spot to Malone. After all, it was Malone who brought the Philadelphia 76ers a title in 1983, which is something Iverson fell short of doing during his heyday with the team. Malone was a relentless rebounder who won back to back MVP awards in 1982 and 1983.

Washington: John Stockton

There are records Stockton has that might never be broken. He's the NBA's all-time leader in both assists and steals, and was the consummate point guard during his exemplary career. HoopsHype slotted Stockton in as the seventh-greatest point guard in NBA history in 2024, but that feels way too low.

West Virginia: Jerry West

There is no athlete more connected to the state of West Virginia than Jerry West. Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press wrote in 2024, "Jerry West left Virginia decades ago. He never left his home state behind." Rod Thorn said, "Jerry West was extremely proud of being a West Virginian. And he never lost that." West's silhouette is the NBA's logo.

Wisconsin: Terry Porter

Wisconsin may be up for grabs in this debate. Terry Porter and Latrell Sprewell are the two most prominent basketball players from the state, but both might fall by the wayside if Tyrese Haliburton continues the trajectory he's on. With that said, we'll give the nod to Porter, who was the point guard of two Portland Trail Blazers squads that made the NBA Finals in the early 1990s.