In high school, Pippen was the man, leading his team to the state playoffs as an all-conference star his senior year. Byron Scott helped the Lakers win three championships as a player. He helped his high school and Michigan State win championships. Don't have a commenting profile? Russell overcame racial taunts in college and then in the NBA, where he was the centerpiece of one of the greatest dynasties the Association has ever seen. 52, we rank the best all-time women's players by jersey number. 25 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History, Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement, https://www.britannica.com/list/the-10-greatest-basketball-players-of-all-time. But Catchings is the most complete basketball player I have ever seen. Stockton is a 10-time all-star, six-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team, nine-time NBA assists leader and two-time NBA steals leader, among many other accolades. And, frankly, its sort of fun tweaking all the Chicagoans who are surprisingly defensive about their sporting accomplishments. Born: Sept. 16, 1934, in Washington, D.C. Died: March 22, 2021, in Los Angeles, California (age 86), High School: Phelps Vocational School, Spingarn High School (Washington, D.C.), College: College of Idaho (1954-55), Seattle (1956-58), Pros: Minneapolis Lakers (1958-60), Los Angeles Lakers (1960-72). He had four All-Star seasons with the SuperSonics and Suns and averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 rebounds a night in his first 11 seasons in the NBA. Levesque played with the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA, averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 assists in 27 games. Elliott was a consensus All-American in his junior season at the University of Arizona and led his team to the Final Four. The Cavs took him in the first round later that year and he had six good seasons with the franchise before playing for the Bucks and Timberwolves. He spent most of his career with the Hawks, spanning time between the franchises eras in St. Louis and Atlanta. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. In his senior season at Florida State, he averaged 18.3 points, 4.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds and led the ACC in steals. He finished his 11-year career with two rings and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Others play overseas. Admittedly, Chamberlain played at a time when post players were significantly smaller and basketball wasnt drawing the types of athletic marvels we see today, but the man was so incredibly dominant that he deserves a spot in the top five regardless of context. He eventually won three NBA championships and was a 13-time All-Star, all with the Miami Heat. 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. Before he was a two-time All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Terrell Brandon was born and raised in Portland. Shaquille ONeal is the definition of dominance. The 65 guy could hit his elbow on the rim when he was a freshman. White, seen on the right here with teammate John Havlicek, was an All-Star in seven consecutive seasons while playing there, winning two championships and being named NBA Finals MVP in 1976 after averaging nearly 22 points per game during the series. Taurasi won her second championship in 2009 against the Indiana Fever, while earning WNBA MVP honors in the process. He averaged 14.1 points and 7 rebounds per game during his time in the league. He was born in Greenville and spent most of his high school career there before finishing it in Illinois. Walt Frazier took the road less traveled to stardom. Paul then helped Wake Forest get into the NCAA tournament a couple of times, eventually falling to West Virginia in his sophomore season. Sheryl Swoopes is a Texas legend. Adams was named rookie of the year in 1976 and eventually had his jersey number retired by the Suns after walking away in 1988. Born: Feb. 15, 1964, in Bartlesville, Okla. High school: Enid High School (Enid, Okla.), Pros: Cleveland Cavaliers (1986-95), Washington Bullets (1995-96), Golden State Warriors (1996-97), Orlando Magic (1997-98). In his prime, Duncan, nicknamed The Big Fundamental by no less a nickname authority than Shaquille ONeal, was one of the most sound players of all time. and fought Bruce Lee in Game of Death, so his cool quotient is easily the highest of anyone on this list. In more than 1,000 career NBA games, Billups averaged 15.2 points and was a five-time All-Star. This season, Holmes has also earned recognition on the 2023 Lisa Leslie Award preseason watch list and the 2023 Jersey DiGregorio only played six seasons in the NBA, but he left a lasting impression. Flagg, who is transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida along with his twin brother, Ace, has been ranked by ESPN as the No. Marvin Bad News Barnes was born in Providence and stayed right in his hometown into early adulthood, earning consensus All-American honors as a senior at Providence College in 1974. However, once Jordan and the Bulls got past the Pistons, they went on to three-peat on two separate occasions, and Jordan cemented his legacy as the GOAT. In 2007 he also led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA finals appearance against the San Antonio Spurs. Hes bigger than a good portion of the players in the NFL and yet he still moves as gracefully as the most nimble guards in basketball. One of the greatest defenders in history, he was named to the leagues prestigious All-Defensive first team eight times. There have only been two players from Maine to suit up in the NBA and while his legacy is still being built, we gave the nod to Duncan Soon after, Wade led Marquette in scoring on multiple occasions and helped them reach the Final Four in his junior season. 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? Cheesebro kicked it out to freshman guard Kaelyn Zuber for an open 3-pointer as Dartmouth imposed its biggest lead up to that point, 49-31, with 4:41 to play. He was born with great genes, and he worked hard to realize his incredible potential. He was an All-Star in 1968 with the Chicago Bulls and won a championship in 1971 with the Milwaukee Bucks, in what would be his final season. 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 the NBA, West helped the Lakers improve their win total by 11 and the Lakers made the playoffs in his rookie campaign. Bryant made the leap from high school to the NBA but success was not instant, and he did not become an elite guard until the 1998-99 season, when the Lakers were swept by the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals. McHale was born in Hibbing the same town that gave us Bob Dylan and was named Minnesotas Mr. Basketball as a high school senior in 1976 before playing at the University of Minnesota. His free-throw shooting, on the other hand. Magic Johnson was destined for greatness. Former rookie of the year Mike Miller is one of just five players from South Dakota in NBA history and he had the best career of any of them by far. Born: February 19, 1980, in Mitchell, S.D. The state is behind only California, New York and Illinois in terms of producing NBA players, and has given us all-time legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Pistol Pete Maravich. Bryant averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4 steals and 3.8 blocks, while leading Lower Merion to a 31-3 record. Hello, I am a passionate and dedicated writer with a deep love for Basketball. In the 1960s and 70s, The Zen Master spent 12 seasons with the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets, far from the quaint town of Deer Lodge, Montana that he came from. Initially, in 1994, with Olajuwon as the teams best player, the Rockets won their first NBA title by defeating the New York Knicks. Now, with three NBA championships under his belt, a scoring title, a Finals MVP and many other accolades, Wade is one of the greatest shooting guards in the history of the game. In his senior year at Providence, DiGregorio helped the Friars reach the Final Four, where they lost to Memphis State. In terms of producing basketball greats, New York City tops all other locations on the planet and the state itself is second only to California in the number of NBA players it has given the world. He never won a ring, but he was inducted into in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and remains one of the most popular players in NBA history. Famously, he played center in place of the injured Abdul-Jabbar in the title-clinching game six of the 1980 NBA finals as a 20-year-old rookie. Sign up and get high school sports news and scores in your inbox from preseason through the championships. Cooper Flagg well may become the best basketball player ever from Maine. On Tuesday, he highlighted Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker as one of his top NBA DFS picks on DraftKings and FanDuel. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Fantasy Basketball. High school: Emsley A. Laney High School (Wilmington, N.C.), Pros: Chicago Bulls (1984-93, 1995-98), Washington Wizards (2001-03). as a member of the Miami Heat. He was a late bloomer who didn't even start for his high school team until a player went down with an injury. 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. He led his high school to a 68-1 record over two years and helped them win a state championship in his senior season. The 15-year old Flagg is charging ahead into an undoubtedly bright basketball future. Oscar Robertson was one of the best players during his era in the 1960s and early 1970s. While LaMarcus Aldridge has deeper ties to Texas basketball in general, Hall of Famer Bill Sharman had the best career of anyone from the Lone Star State so far. This nickname occurred in a family where Charles was always called Charles, and the women had names like Mabel, Marion and Alice. He was born in Hobbs and eventually played high school basketball there before going to college at Kansas. Current star Domantas Sabonis could take the honor of Oregons best in years to come but for now it belongs to Brandon. 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. Kobe Bryant developed his closing skills in his youth on the way to greatness. 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. 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. We are here to give the best tips on it. The Coeur dAlene native had a standout college career at Oregon before being drafted in the first round by the SuperSonics in 2003. While his famously vanilla playing style and quiet demeanor kept him from having a cultural impact similar to the other greats, his four championships, 14 All-Star Games, and two NBA MVP awards are indisputable evidence of his fantastic ability. He played well in his rookie season, but a torn ACL in his sophomore season derailed any hopes of him becoming the player he once was. In the NBA, Chalmers helped the Heat win back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 with clutch play and big-time three-point shooting. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. One of the most ebullient personalities to ever play in the NBA, Johnsons charm was a major factor in the massive increase in the leagues popularity during the 1980s. While hes much more famous for his career as a coach, Phil Jackson had a great career as an NBA player before leading Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to multiple championships. Position: Shooting guard and small forward, High school: Davenport North High School (Davenport, Iowa), Pros: Charlotte Hornets (1998-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01, 2007-08), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03), Boston Celtics (2003-06), Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-07), Los Angeles Clippers (2008-10), Turk Telekom (2010), Jiangsu Dragons (2010), Chorale Roanne (2011), Maine Red Claws (2011-12), Piratas de Quebradillas (2012), Erie BayHawks (2013-14). Michael also earned the nicknames Air Jordan and His Airness. A member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two as an assistant coach, Abdul-Jabbar was also voted NBA Finals MVP twice. During his career as a center, Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time NBA Most Valuable Player, a 19-time NBA All-Star, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. Required fields are marked *. During the 196162 season, The Big O averaged a triple-double with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. New Mexicos all-time hoops hero, Bill Bridges, spent 13 seasons in the NBA during the 1960s and 70s. Bill Russell was an 11-time NBA champion in a 13-year Hall of Fame career. He was born in Spokane and stayed in his hometown through his college years, when he was a star player at Gonzaga. High school: Palos Verdes High School (Palos Verdes, Calif.), Pros: Cleveland Cavaliers (1980-82), Detroit Pistons (1982-93). In the NBA, Iverson became known for his quickness and tough drives to the basket, where he would take a lot of contact. He finished his 14-year NBA career averaging 14.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. There's one state that has never produced an NBA player. Cooper Flagg may end up the best basketball player to come from Maine. He has had an amazing career and has many achievements. Speaking of Michigan basketball icons, it doesnt get any more legendary than Magic Johnson. Born: May 6, 1985, in Winston-Salem, N.C. High school: West Forsyth High School (Clemmons, N.C.), Pros: New Orleans Hornets (2005-11), Los Angeles Clippers (2011-17), Houston Rockets (2017-present). Hes led the league four times in assists and six times in steals, making him undoubtedly one of the best pure point guards to ever play the position. He was traded to the Pistons, where he teamed up with Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman and Joe Dumars to win back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990 while becoming one of the most unpopular players in NBA history as the enforcer leader of the "Bad Boys.". But he was so much more than a dazzling smile. Copyright 2022 Cricket Concept . Please wait for the page to reload. Discussions between basketball fans have been raging over who are the greatest basketball players of all time to take part in the history of this great game. Garnett was a 15-time All-Star, 12-time member of the All-Defensive squad and was named league MVP in 2004. Then, she helped lead UConn to a couple of NCAA championships in 2009 and 2010. Since 2002, Laimbeer has been coaching in the WNBA. But he began to show interest in basketball and relocated to the United States to play college ball at the University of Houston. Yes, the NBA consisted of just 8 to 14 teams during this period, so capturing championships was a statistically easier feat for a single franchise, but even that fact doesnt minimize Russells historic accomplishments. Hes been a six-time All-Star and has put up some massive figures in his career so far, averaging 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Also, his career totals were inflated by the fact that he played roughly 10,000 years in the NBA. Ten Greatest Basketball Players Ever. Have a nice time ahead, Thank you! For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. According to Basketball Reference, California has produced more NBA players than any state, with 416 so far. Just in the last generation, 20 years or so, weve seen players from Maine enjoy not only successful college careers, but professional careers, too. As a senior, Carroll set the state record for points per game with 39.4. Then she announced she would play basketball for the Blue Hens in 2009, leading the nation in scoring in her junior season in 2012. The Phoenix Suns selected Ceballos in the second round of the 1990 NBA draft with the 48th overall pick. In 2007, he was traded to the Boston Celtics, and that next year, Garnett was an integral piece to Bostons championship run in 2008. Before he became forever linked to hoops in North Carolina and Chicago, Jordan was born in Brooklyn and lived there for a few years of his early childhood. 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. She 1. 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. Minnesotas Kevin McHale did plenty of battle with Michigans Magic Johnson as a Celtics star in the 1980s. Finally, after graduating from high school early, he got selected by his hometown Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft. He helped lead his school to back-to-back basketball titles and is the only person to be a high school first team All-American in football, basketball, and baseball. A recent highlight video on YouTube referred to him as the LeBron of Maine. Thats absolutely, positively, 100 percent ludicrous. Calvin Murphy was born and raised in Norwalk, which is in the New York City metro area. Then, he went onto the NBA, where he played on five different teams and averaged double digits in scoring six times. Hes accomplished more in the NBA than nearly any other player, including four championships with three different franchises, but his 2016 title with the Cavs further made him an icon in the Buckeye State. Current Dallas Mavericks forward James Johnson is the only player born in Wyoming whos lasted more than three seasons in the NBA. Silver Spring native Victor Oladipo might have something to say about this in a few years but, for now, the title of Marylands best goes to Steve Francis. He grew four inches in the summer and averaged 20 points per game over his final two years in high school. High school: Morningside High School (Inglewood, Calif.), Pros: Los Angeles Lakers (1983-93, 1996-97), Indiana Pacers (1993-95), Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Panathinaikos (1997-98). Sheryl Swoopes is a Texas legend. 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