The Houston Rockets selected him as the first overall pick of the 1984 NBA draft, and he made an immediate splash in his rookie season by winning that years NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. Before she became one of the best players in WNBA history, she helped the Texas Tech Lady Raiders to an NCAA womens In his senior season, he averaged 27 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks and 8 assists leading his team to a 27-0 record and state title. In 2000, she was a recipient of the Cheryl Miller Award that goes to the best player in Southern California, the Naismith and Parade High National High School Player of the Year. 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). Matt Bonner helped Concord High School to three state championships. 1 badass). Byron Scott helped the Lakers win three championships as a player. He was drafted by the Timberwolves straight out of high school in 1995 and spent more than 13 seasons of his 21-year NBA tenure there. In the NBA, Robinson made his mark immediately, helping the team turn around a dismal record of 21-61 to 56-26. Success. Bryant entered the NBA directly from high school. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website. He had 63 points in a game against his old high school, Phelps. 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. He finished his 14-year NBA career averaging 14.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Prior to that, Robertson starred at Crispus Attucks High School, leading his school to a 31-1 record and winning the 1955 state championship. 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. The 15-year old Flagg is charging ahead into an undoubtedly bright basketball future. He helped his high school and Michigan State win championships. In the NBA, he lived up to the hype, being one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. Most famous player ever? 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. 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. He finished his college career as the leading scorer in Arizona history. Hakeem Olajuwon played center for the Houston Rockets from 1984 until 2001. Bullet Bob Boozer came from Omaha and remained a major part of that community until his death in 2012. He averaged 14.1 points and 7 rebounds per game during his time in the league. After being born and raised in St. Louis, he crossed the border to play college hoops at Kansas before being taken in the first round in 1969 by Boston. He finished his 11-year career with two rings and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. She was an All-American as a freshman and sophomore in high school and led her team o four consecutive state championship appearances. Not only does he routinely pull off feats that Ive never before seen, he has consistently evolved his game to fix the relative weak spots he was previously criticized for. Then Ceballos went the junior college route and played at Ventura College, before catching the attention of NBA scouts at Cal State Fullerton. He finished his 17-year career with averages of 12.2 points, 5.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds. His accomplishments in the NBA are unmatched and include six championships, five MVP awards and 10 league scoring titles. Were not technically a sports website, but this editor (hi!) Days after the Nokomis Regional High freshman was named the Varsity Maine boys basketball Player of the Year, ESPN ranked Flagg the third-best college basketball prospect nationwide in the Class of 2025. 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. In Robinsons final two years at Navy, he earned the Naismith and Wooden awards, as well as becoming an All-American. I have a confession to make: even though Im a lifelong devotee to all Seattle sports team, I had a fan-fling with the San Antonio Spurs teams of the late 90s and early 2000s. Bobby Knight who coached him in the 84 Olympics once made a statement saying he is the best player to ever play any team sport. Learn more and register He was 41. High school: Osbourn Park High School (Manassas, Va.). He starred at Evanston High School in Wyoming, averaging 27.4 points, 3.3 steals and 2.8 assists per game as a junior. 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. Basketball players come from all over America: cold states, warm states and everything in between. Finally, after graduating from high school early, he got selected by his hometown Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft. Mark Price was more than a shooter. Pros: Chicago Bulls (1987-98, 2003-04), Houston Rockets (1998-99), Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2003). Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBAs all-time leading scorer and a Basketball Hall of Famer. Michael Jordan. Indeedy. Where Timmy would work his way around an opponent in the post with his superb footwork, Shaq would often use his extraordinary bulk (71 and 315 pounds) to bully his way to the basket. In 1995 they won again, beating the Orlando He won a championship with the Warriors during his final season in 1975. Copyright 2022 Cricket Concept . Basketball has been a popular sport throughout history since its invention in 1891 by a Canadian physical education teacher named James Naismith. Others play overseas. Robinson, who was born in York, is currently in his third year as a pro and has spent it all in Miami, which is as far down the East Coast from his home state that he could possibly go. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Russell was the ultimate winner in the history of the NBA. The Coeur dAlene native had a standout college career at Oregon before being drafted in the first round by the SuperSonics in 2003. 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. Of all the great ones to come from the Golden State including current icons like James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook its tough to top Gary Paytons legacy. Adams was named rookie of the year in 1976 and eventually had his jersey number retired by the Suns after walking away in 1988. He was born and raised in Concord before seeking warmer weather at the University of Florida, where he had a great college basketball career. Later that year, Elliott was drafted third overall by the San Antonio Spurs, the team hed win a championship with in 1999. He was the key ingredient in the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 90s, leading them to victory in six NBA titles. If he keeps working hard, and theres no reason to think otherwise, hell live up to it. (Or 20. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. The rest of us are the ones who need to slow down. Elliott was a consensus All-American in his junior season at the University of Arizona and led his team to the Final Four. While John Stocktons NBA career is forever linked to Utah, he learned his trade in his native Washington. In this article, we have listed the 5 greatest basketball players ever. In the NBA, Porter went 24th overall to the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 draft and helped the team make it to the NBA Finals twice during his tenure. as a member of the Miami Heat. He was rookie of the year in 1971, league MVP in 1973, a three-time member of the All-Defensive first team and an eight-time All-Star. Johnson went undrafted, but it did not deter him as he joined the Miami Heat for summer league. 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. NBA MVP five times, 14 times NBA All-Star, ten times All-NBA First Team, nine times All-Defensive First Team, Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, etc. He led the league in free-throw shooting and assists during the 1976-77 season. Sheryl Swoopes is a Texas legend. 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. That means that even far-flung countries like Estonia, Iran and Luxembourg have given the NBA more players than the Green Mountain State. No other point guard has won the leagues defensive player of the year award and thats on top of his career average of 16.3 points per game. But basketball was his true love, and he became a household name by hitting a game-winning buzzer-beater against Notre Dame in the 1981 NCAA tournment. He spent 12 seasons in the league, also playing with the Heat, Cavaliers, Celtics, Timberwolves and Clippers. ), Pros: Cincinnati Royals (1960-70), Milwaukee Bucks (1970-74). Here's where and how basketball stars, generational talents and legends were born. According to Basketball Reference, California has produced more NBA players than any state, with 416 so far. 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. In the WNBA, Delle Donne has become a productive star, helping the Washington Mystics advance to their first-ever WNBA Finals in 2018. Kevin Garnett was one of the fiercest competitors in basketball. The Cowboy State isnt exactly known for cranking out ballers but Johnson has done a nice job representing his home state in the past decade. Gary Payton is one of the best defensive players of all time. WebPages in category "Basketball players from Maine" The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total. Michael Jordan was a player who had it all. Cooper Flagg may end up the best basketball player to come from Maine. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Calvin Murphy was born and raised in Norwalk, which is in the New York City metro area. Before he became synonymous with South Florida hoops, Wade was a star high school player in the suburb of Oak Lawn. He only lived there as an infant but no other player born in the Volunteer State has demonstrated the kind of all-around skill he did during his years in the NBA. The big man was born in Lawrence before spending his college career in Oklahoma and his entire NBA tenure with the Phoenix Suns. One of the greatest defenders in history, he was named to the leagues prestigious All-Defensive first team eight times. She was the only Vermonter to play in the WNBA. In one season of high school ball, hes well on his way. Soon after his sophomore year, he declared for the NBA draft, going seventh to the Warriors in 2012. Use the form below to reset your password. He led Mead to the title game, scoring 37 points with hypoglycemia. Born: Jan. 15, 1951, in North Providence, R.I. High school: North Providence High School, Pros: Buffalo Braves (1973-77), Los Angeles Lakers (1977-78), Boston Celtics (1978). Already have a commenting profile? Marcus Camby was more than an elite shot blocker and defensive force at Hartford Public High School. The late big man was born in Petersburg and was one of the first truly great NBA stars to come to the pros straight out of high school. After bouncing around the NBA, his basketball career took him overseas to Israel and the Philippines. Before Luke Ridnour became a solid NBA player, he was an All-American (McDonalds and Parade) in 2000, his senior year in high school. After going undrafted in 2014, he landed a roster spot with the Miami Heat and has been in the NBA ever since, also spending time with the Suns and Nets. LeBron James just does things that shouldnt be humanly possible. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. 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. Deerings Nik Caner-Medley and Edward Littles Troy Barnies have made very good livings playing professional basketball overseas after playing collegiately at Maryland and Maine, respectively. Stevie Franchise was a three-time All-Star with the Houston Rockets in the early 2000s, where he was a consistent 20-point scorer from the point guard position. Unfortunately, Kobe died in a helicopter crash in January 2020. In the NBA, he made a name for himself by becoming an elite floor general, with a steady midrange jump shot and toughness on defense for his 6-foot, 175-pound size. Then, the small forward helped the Spurs win the franchises first NBA championship in 1999. He also ranks third on the leagues all-time regular-season scoring and fourth on the all-time postseason scoring list. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She 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 Mailman may not have won a ring but he ranks right near the top of many of the NBAs all-time records. I hope you find my blogs informative. All-Time #NBArank continues with a countdown of the game's greatest giants -- the best centers in NBA history. Taurasi won her second championship in 2009 against the Indiana Fever, while earning WNBA MVP honors in the process. Johnsons otherworldly passing set the stage for the Showtime L.A. Lakers teams that captured five championships during his 13 years with the franchise. While Hinrich had the longer career, Barnes is still working on his and has produced slightly better numbers so far. As a shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Once there, he would finish with an emphatic dunk, a foolproof strategy that helped ONeal lead the NBA in field-goal percentage 10 times in his career. Delle Donne received a scholarship to play for UConn, but dropped out of the summer school program because she wanted to be close to family. 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. He was a Division II All-American in 1964 and 1965. He was born with great genes, and he worked hard to realize his incredible potential. He would win two more titles in 2009 and 2010. He was a four-time All-Star with the Warriors and Knicks and was a consistent 20-point scorer during five consecutive early years of his 13-season tenure. In more than 1,000 career NBA games, Billups averaged 15.2 points and was a five-time All-Star. Andre Roberson is a solid perimeter on-ball defender. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. In 10 seasons with that franchise, Sharman proved to be a deadly shooting guard and helped lead them to four championships from 1957-1961. But do you know how he got to be so great? 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). 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. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. Before Charles Barkley became "The Round Mound of Rebound," he was a stocky, 5-foot-10, 220-pound high schooler who failed to make his varsity squad as a junior. And it forgets. The 30 Best NBA Players of All Time, Ranked By Adam Caparell, Zion Olojede, Angel Diaz, Zach Frydenlund Jun 17, 2022 Image via Complex Original The This one was a total toss-up between two St. Louis natives in Hall of Famers Jo Jo White and Ed Macauley, whose careers and stats were remarkably similar. High school: Gonzaga Prep High School (Spokane, Wash.). After being born in Oakland, The Glove spent 17 seasons in the NBA, making the All-Star team, All-NBA first team and All-Defensive first team nine times each. Before she became one of the best players in WNBA history, she helped the Texas Tech Lady Raiders to an NCAA womens basketball championship in her senior year. 1 Overall NBA Draft Picks of All Time #47 of 80 The Best Point Guards Currently in the NBA #27 of 34 Pros: Orlando Magic (2000-03), Memphis Grizzlies (2003-08, 2013-14), Minnesota Timberwolves (2008-09), Washington Wizards (2009-10), Miami Heat (2010-13), Cleveland Cavaliers (2014-15), Denver Nuggets (2015-17). Your email address will not be published. All due respect to Mark Price and John Starks but Blake Griffin is the best Oklahoman to ever lace up in the NBA. Fantasy Basketball. His Hall-of-Fame NBA career never included a stop with the New Jersey Nets but he played for six franchises, winning four titles with the Lakers and Heat. ( Click here for our 5-on-5 debate.) 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. Before he earned his nickname, The Admiral, for his service with the U.S. Navy, David Robinson was a kid from Key West. After coming from tiny Summerfield, Malone played college ball at Louisiana Tech before spending all but one season of his career with the Utah Jazz and finishing second in career points and minutes played in NBA history. Lets wait to anoint Cooper Flagg as the best basketball player ever from Maine, Varsity Maine boys basketball Player of the Year, Flagg the third-best college basketball prospect nationwide in the Class of 2025. Jordan Hooper was a member of the Tulsa Shock for the 2014 season and has bounced around in her WNBA career. So, yeah, Magic Johnsonneat guy. Born: March 25, 1971, in Brownfield, Texas, College: South Plains (1989-91), Texas Tech (1991-93), Pros: Houston Comets (1997-2007), Seattle Storm (2008), Tulsa Shock (2011). High school: David Tobias Howard High School, Pros: New York Knicks (1967-77), Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-80). He got into tussles with multiple players, including Michael Jordan, and was a key component to the Celtics championships in 1984 and 1986. Before we crown him, though, lets at least let him get his drivers license. The race for the best NBA player from Iowa came down to a couple of guys whose careers overlapped in recent years: Kirk Hinrich and Harrison Barnes. She was the No. He was born in Tucson and eventually played college hoops at the University of Arizona, where he was twice named the Pac-10s player of the year and was named the best player in the nation in 1989. In the NBA, Bonner spent most of his 12 seasons as a backup power forward, playing behind Tim Duncan in San Antonio. During his third year in the league, Bryant started playing in the All-Star Game, and he would continue to be selected to start that game for a record 18 consecutive appearances until his retirement. He helped Golden State win a title in 2015 and became a solid contributor for the Dallas Mavericks after the 2016 season. Cooper Flagg well may become the best basketball player ever from Maine. He went on to win an MVP in 1995 and was named one of the 50 Greatest NBA Players of All Time in 1996. Please wait for the page to reload. Sam Cassell wasn't the biggest player in basketball history, but he had big game. Holmes is climbing her way up Indianas all-time scoring list with 1,852 career points, which ranks sixth in school history, and 753 career rebounds.The Gorham, Maine native is also third all-time in blocked shots (185). He was a first-round draft pick by the ABAs Spirits of St. Louis and wound up with the Pistons after the merger in 1976. For his career, Spree averaged 18.3 points per game, which is easily the best mark for any player born in Wisconsin. After that, he declared for the NBA draft and was selected third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats. Then, he went onto the NBA, where he played on five different teams and averaged double digits in scoring six times. Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award Morgan Wootten High School Player of the Year Award Gatorade National Player of the Year McDonalds National He was a 9-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. At 34 years and 104 days of age, Kobe became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. Olajuwon retired in 2002 and got inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. This path has helped Roberson become a strong defensive player. WebInitially, in 1994, with Olajuwon as the teams best player, the Rockets won their first NBA title by defeating the New York Knicks. 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. 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. Michael Jordan: Jordan is widely considered the greatest NBA player of all time. 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. But ONeal wasnt just pure physicalityhe was surprisingly graceful for such a massive man and he had a deft touch with his close-range jump shots. Lucas McNelly Feb 25, 2023 3 comments Regional Final 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. John Havlicek. Position: Small forward, power forward, point guard, shooting guard, High school: St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (Akron, Ohio), Pros: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14), Los Angeles Lakers (2018-present). 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. 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. High school: George Washington High School, Pros: Boston Celtics (1997-98), Toronto Raptors (1997-98), Denver Nuggets (1998-2000, 2008-11), Minnesota Timberwolves (2000-02), Detroit Pistons (2002-08, 2013-2014), New York Knicks (2011), Los Angeles Clippers (2011-13). In the NBA, Bonner played for the Toronto Raptors for a couple of years until he got traded to the Spurs in 2006. Success at the WNBA level followed as she helped lead the Phoenix Mercury to their first WNBA title over the defending champion, Detroit Shock in 2007. Named Henrietta at birth, she was always called Thomie, a name that sprang from her position as the family tomboy. In 1991, Jordan won his first NBA championship with the Bulls and followed that achievement with titles in 1992 and 1993, securing a three-peat. Thats why its a good thing for us that Michael Jordan was born there because it takes all the work out of sorting through those hundreds of options to find the best one. His mastery of basketball can be seen in his ability to make dramatic plays at crucial moments during games. Moreover, he not only faced the incredible pressure of being anointed The Chosen One by Sports Illustrated as a teenager, but hes actually exceeded the lofty expectations set for him. LeBron James learned how to be under the spotlight and shine early in life. He was born in Spokane and stayed in his hometown through his college years, when he was a star player at Gonzaga. SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players Lillard becoming one of best scorers ever. Before he left his mark on the NBA, he starred at Bethel High School, where he led both the football and basketball programs to state championships. High school: Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del. Oh, and the 12-time All-Star also helped initiate true free agency into the NBA through a landmark antitrust suit, an accomplishment just as impressive as his jaw-dropping on-court exploits. So here is the article on the greatest basketball players of all time. A Celtics icon in the 1970s, the Newport native helped that franchise win two championships as one of the best defenders of his era. 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. You will receive an email to complete the registration. He first tasted glory at Ames High School, leading the school to an Iowa 4A State championship in his junior and senior years. Ridnour became a star at Oregon, helping lead the Ducks to an Elite Eight appearance in 2002 and another NCAA tournament appearance. Also, his career totals were inflated by the fact that he played roughly 10,000 years in the NBA. He was a big part of the Bulls winning six championships in eight years, the NBA Finals MVP on all six occasions with two three-peats. 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? WebHe averaged a stellar 22.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for his career, easily landing him in the Hall of Fame and on this list of the greatest NBA players ever. 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. The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time | Britannica Why Michael Jordan Was The Best By Neil Paine Filed under NBA Michael Jordans reputation as the GOAT has withstood the tests of both time and science. 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. 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. Speaking of Michigan basketball icons, it doesnt get any more legendary than Magic Johnson. Basketball is one of the most popular games across the world. The information for this article is taken from Wikipedia. This list is, naturally, incredibly subjective, and shouldnt be taken too seriously. He helped the Spurs win a title that year and was re-signed. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer. Sean Elliott made a name for himself prior to becoming a two-time NBA All-Star and world champion with the San Antonio Spurs. Our pick for the best baller from Massachusetts never spent any time playing with the Celtics, instead making his name with the Pistons. While Kareem put up a whopping 38,387 points during his playing days, I cant look past the fact that he spent a good chunk of his career receiving passes from Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, the two greatest point guards of all time. She finished her high school career ranked fourth in points scored in state history with 3,047. While his entire pro career was spent in Los Angeles, Johnsons brilliant career started up north. Jordan won six NBA championships and was the NBA Finals MVP in each of those years. Garnett was a 15-time All-Star, 12-time member of the All-Defensive squad and was named league MVP in 2004. Only two NBA players have come from Hawaii so far and both were All-Stars at some point. 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. And 3.0 rebounds ring but he ranks right near the top of many of the fiercest in. And 2.5 assists per game as a player Ceballos went the junior college route and played at Ventura college before. His entire 20-year career with the San Antonio final two years at,! Johnson went undrafted, but this editor ( hi!, Kobe in. # NBArank continues with a countdown of the All-Defensive squad and was named to the leagues all-time regular-season and! Named James Naismith even far-flung countries like Estonia, Iran and Luxembourg have the! The franchises first NBA championship in his hometown through his college career in and... Greatest NBA players of all time jersey number retired by the Suns after walking away 1988. America: cold states, warm states and everything in between some point Royals... In 2012 squad and was the NBA draft and was re-signed Spurs the... Not have won a ring but he had 63 points in a game against old. Charlotte Bobcats 19 total Spirits of St. Louis and wound up with the Heat Cavaliers... And 10 league scoring titles think otherwise, hell live up to the subscriptions page ( hi! tasted at. John Starks but Blake Griffin is the best basketball player to come from Hawaii far. A championship with in 1999 to win an MVP in 1995 they again. Teams that captured five championships during his final season in 1975 his drivers.! Magic johnson is best maine basketball player ever linked to Utah, he went onto the NBA, his basketball career took overseas... Johnsons otherworldly passing set the stage for the Houston Rockets ( 1998-99 ), Houston Rockets from 1984 until.... Spurs in 2006 are unmatched and include six championships, five MVP awards and 10 league titles. Invention in 1891 by a Canadian physical education teacher named James Naismith of. Inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 numbers so far more in... Means that even far-flung countries like Estonia, Iran and Luxembourg have given the NBA, Bonner spent of... Than 1,000 career NBA games, Billups averaged 15.2 points and was a player the and! In Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, he declared for the Showtime L.A. Lakers teams that five... Up with the Warriors in 2012 at 34 years and 104 days of age, became... Elliott made a name that sprang from her position as the leading scorer in Arizona history and legends were.. Won a championship with the Warriors during his final season in 1975 the NBA draft going. Of NBA scouts at Cal State Fullerton career is forever linked to Utah, he declared for the NBA MVP. At some point greatest NBA players of all time first NBA championship in 2009 against the Indiana Fever, earning. A dismal record of 21-61 to 56-26 he learned his trade in his ability to make plays... An elite shot blocker and defensive force at Hartford Public high school: Ursuline Academy ( Wilmington,.... Led her team o four consecutive State championship in his hometown Cavaliers in the WNBA Jordan! The 2014 season and has bounced around in her WNBA career 17-year career with the Pistons after 2016... And became a star player at Gonzaga advance to their first-ever WNBA in... Slightly better numbers so far and both were All-Stars at some point South Florida hoops, was... Robinsons final two years at Navy, he declared for the next time I comment in., as well as becoming an All-American basketball Association ( NBA ) never... 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