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. As a senior, he averaged a triple-double with 29.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 10.1 assists, and made the McDonalds All-American team. Unlike the NFL, which is still almost entirely packed with American players, and the NHL and MLB, which see their foreign-born stars come from a handful of countries in specific areas, the NBAs stars come from all corners of the globe. Absolutely. He stayed home and played college ball at Colorado, where his number has also since been put in the rafters. When he got to the NBA, some thought the 6-foot-9 player was too small to play center, but he proved the doubters wrong, averaging 17 points and 15 rebounds per game in his rookie campaign. Alongside Kobe Bryant, Shaq helped the Lakers three-peat from 2000-2002. Our computer prediction projects a one-sided 65-55 victory as our model heavily favors Maine. His shooting proficiency made him one of the more dangerous shooters in the league, leading the league in three-point percentage (45.7) in 2010-2011. Like some other guys on this list, Chambers got to go back to his home state during his NBA tenure, spending a couple of seasons with the Utah Jazz in the mid-1990s. Before he was a two-time All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Terrell Brandon was born and raised in Portland. 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. 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). Kevin Garnett was one of the fiercest competitors in basketball. Nevertheless, he was an awesome force who dominated the sport for two decades and perfected the sky hook, one of the most gorgeous shots the game has ever seen. However, during the summer, Barkley shot up to 6-foot-4 and made the varsity team, leading them to a 26-3 record and the state semifinals in his senior year. One of the greatest defenders in history, he was named to the leagues prestigious All-Defensive first team eight times. He helped the Lakers win their first NBA title in Los Angeles in 1972. Ceballos led the Lakers in scoring in 1995 and was an All-Star. But he was so much more than a dazzling smile. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. But to give him that label now is at best premature, and at worst willfully ignorant of history. After tensions between Shaq and Kobe arose, Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004 and won his final title in 2006 with Dwyane Wade. ESPN ranks Cooper Flagg the nations No. Mims scored 80 percent of his teams points and nearly outscored Bangor himself, and he didnt score a point in the first quarter. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. The 6-foot-7 shooting guard/small forward honed his skills at the University of Colorado, finishing third in rebounding in the 2011-2012 season and second in 2012-2013. But before he was the engine of a Celtics dynasty, he became a star center at the University of San Francisco, helping the school become a superpower in college basketball. Soon after, Wade led Marquette in scoring on multiple occasions and helped them reach the Final Four in his junior season. WebMAINE ANTONIO CAMACHO-BUCKS MARYLAND SAM BURGESS MASSACHUSETTS HUNTER JONES MICHIGAN NOAH BREKER MINNESOTA SIDNEY STEGALL MISSISSIPPI CONNOR BURNS MISSOURI WESTON BROWN MONTANA CARSON NOECKER NEBRASKA LOGAN SCOTT NEVADA BYRON GREVIOUS NEW He helped his high school and Michigan State win championships. He walked on to Central Arkansas as a 6-foot-1 guard, then sprouted to 6-foot-8 and became a lethal weapon. 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. Olajuwon retired in 2002 and got inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. 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. Stockton was a 10-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection and is possibly the best pure point guard in history. We are here to give the best tips on it. Mario Chalmers always has been a winner. In the NBA, Jordan had some rough years, overcoming injuries and first-round playoff exits, and playing the Detroit "Bad Boy" Pistons in the late 1980s and 1990. He is the all-time UMass leader in blocks (336) and was only the fourth college player ever to reject 300-plus shot. Cooper Flagg may end up the best basketball player to come from Maine. #39 Paul Arizin (1951-1962) Amazon The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. He led Mead to the title game, scoring 37 points with hypoglycemia. 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. Cooper Flagg is the player standing at the confluence of talent and time an extremely talented player in an era in which nothing goes unnoticed. High school: Collins Hill High School (Suwanee, Ga.). He was a two-time All-American and four-time All-ACC basketball player at Georgia Tech, helping the Yellow Jackets win an ACC championship in his junior season. 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. Nokomis freshman Cooper Flagg takes a jump shot against Falmouth during the Class A state final on March 5 in Portland. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. As magnificent as earlier players were, they never had to deal with the 24/7 stresses of 21st century media, which James has with aplomb. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Matt Bonner helped Concord High School to three state championships. Born: February 19, 1980, in Mitchell, S.D. Before Michael Jordan became the greatest basketball player to walk the earth, he played at Emsley A. Laney High School in North Carolina. He won a championship with the Warriors during his final season in 1975. Paul then helped Wake Forest get into the NCAA tournament a couple of times, eventually falling to West Virginia in his sophomore season. Nevada has not exactly been a hotbed for basketball talent over the years, so the pickings here were pretty slim, but Ricky Davis enjoyed a long career in the NBA as a journeyman shooting guard and small forward. Hall of Famers Bob Pettit, Elvin Hayes, Clyde Drexler and Bill Russell all came from the Bayou State but none of them could match Karl Malones superhuman production and longevity in the league. Walt Frazier took the road less traveled to stardom. 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. Hollins was an All-Star the next season and an All-Defensive team member in 1978 and 1979. He signed a couple of 10-day contracts and helped the Heat in the scoring and shooting departments, and now is a solid NBA contributor on his third NBA team, averaging 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists. John Stockton is one of the best passers in basketball history, but he also could score. For his career, Spree averaged 18.3 points per game, which is easily the best mark for any player born in Wisconsin. Finally, after graduating from high school early, he got selected by his hometown Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft. Born: June 11, 1989, in Jefferson City, Mo. In the NBA, Johnson was a three-time MVP who led the Lakers to five championships in the 1980s as one of the most versatile players in history. 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 helped his high school win its first championship in 53 years in his senior season. He was named to the All-Mountain West Conference second team in his senior year in 2014. That was the case with Charles Barkley, whose roots in Alabama run deep. Robinson had a Hall-of-Fame career with the San Antonio Spurs that lasted 14 seasons and included two championships. Adam Morrison became a star as a high school player in Spokane, despite an early diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Its the only state in the union that has never produced a player in the league, despite having several who have been drafted but never ended up playing. In the NBA, he helped lead the Cleveland Cavaliers become an Eastern Conference power with his shooting touch. High school: Crispus Attucks High School (Indianapolis, Ind. Anthony Davis is making a legitimate push to steal this title away but fellow Chicago native Dwyane Wade holds it for now. Indeedy. This list may not reflect recent changes . Most obsessively competitive to the detriment of ever having normal human relations with anybody? He led the NBA in scoring for two seasons. 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. 3 to Sabrina Ionescu at No. I know I risk getting run out of my beloved Chicago on a rail for daring to suggest His Airness isnt the best player ever but, well, I just dont think he is. I am a lover of adventure and exploration, and I strive to bring that same sense of wonder and excitement to my writing. Basketball is one of the most popular games across the world. 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. The Boston Celtics drafted Ainge in the second round (31st overall) in 1981 draft, and he played 15 seasons in the NBA, developing a reputation as a hard-nosed, physical , fearless player. Born: August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pa. Died: Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California (age 41), High school: Lower Merion High School (Ardmore, Pa.). Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Before he became perhaps the all-time icon of hoops in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, Oscar Robertson was born in the small town of Charlotte, Tennessee. 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). At his peak, from 2004-2014, Wade was scoring 25.1 points per game to go with 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds, making him one of the most valuable players of his generation. Before he was The Big Ticket, Kevin Garnett was a kid growing up in upstate South Carolina. Use the form below to reset your password. Theres one player that always comes to mind when you think about excellence. Speaking of guards who are still in the league as of this writing, Tyler Johnson represents his home state of North Dakota, which hasnt exactly cranked out the ballers so far. While Trenton native Dennis Rodman might exemplify the kind of no-nonsense attitude thats associated with New Jersey, the power of Diesel cant be denied. 1-ranked recruit and a McDonalds All-American coming out of high school. 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). Nokomis to the first boys basketball title in school history. He won two championships with the Spurs before retiring in 2016. Hes also one of just eight players in history to win league MVP honors at least three times. At the opposite end of the attractive play spectrum from Duncan is Shaquille ONeal. Before that, Scott played three years of college basketball at Arizona State. In 2007, he was traded to the Boston Celtics, and that next year, Garnett was an integral piece to Bostons championship run in 2008. Since 2002, Laimbeer has been coaching in the WNBA. He was born in Hobbs and eventually played high school basketball there before going to college at Kansas. He grew four inches in the summer and averaged 20 points per game over his final two years in high school. High school: Mount Anthony High School (Bennington, Vt.). Bill Laimbeer was born in Boston, raised in Chicago and went to high school in Southern California. His best year was in 1973, as he averaged 20.5 points and 16.2 rebounds per game, helping lead the Celtics to a league-best 68-14 record. WebPages in category "Basketball players from Maine" The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total. He finished his 21-year NBA career in 2015 as a 15-time All-Star. Combine that with the fact that Maine produces fewer NCAA Division I basketball players than most other states, so when a player of Flaggs caliber comes along, memory gets shorter and cloudy. He got into tussles with multiple players, including Michael Jordan, and was a key component to the Celtics championships in 1984 and 1986. Sheryl Swoopes is a Texas legend. In the NBA, he lived up to the hype, being one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. 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). Whoever picked this list is not that knowledgeable about high school basketball history. What? He was a four-time All-Star and two-time champion and he missed just nine games from 1980-1993, which is remarkable when you consider how many guys he hammered to the floor during his career. While some great athletes use their skill to immediately catapult to the nations most exciting states, some stay close to home as long as they can. 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. As a sophomore, Miller led the Florida Gators to the 2000 NCAA championship game, only to lose to Michigan State. In the NBA, McHale helped the Celtics become champions in 1981, 1984 and 1986 as a sixth man, and he was also a seven-time All-Star. It wasnt until 1894 that he acquired a soccer ball and reduced the team size to nine players per side. He was a 9-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. In 1971, Robertson helped lead the Bucks to their first NBA championship. Before Luke Ridnour became a solid NBA player, he was an All-American (McDonalds and Parade) in 2000, his senior year in high school. Pros: San Antonio Spurs (1989-93, 1994-2001), Detroit Pistons (1993-94). In his junior year, he led the nation in scoring at 28.1 points per game and helped Gonzaga get a berth in the NCAA tournament, making it to the Sweet 16 before succumbing to UCLA. Payton is also Pros: Pallacanestro Messina (2003-04), Toronto Raptors (2004-06), San Antonio Spurs (2006-16). His tenacity made him one of the best defenders in the game's history. Yes, they played the kind of slow-paced ball that put most fans to sleep by the third quarter, but there was often a thing of pure beauty hidden among the tire-fire of a 7871 final score: Tim Duncans bank shot. Taurasi won her second championship in 2009 against the Indiana Fever, while earning WNBA MVP honors in the process. Michael Jordan. Bill Russell was an 11-time NBA champion in a 13-year Hall of Fame career. Robertson was the first player in league history to average a triple double for an entire season, which he did in 1962 with the Cincinnati Royals, and his career averages ended up being 25.7 points, 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game. Calvin Murphy was born and raised in Norwalk, which is in the New York City metro area. Enter your email and password to access comments. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. Have a nice time ahead, Thank you! What Is Double Dribble In Basketball? The seeds of intensity were planted in South Carolina, where he was named National High School Player of the Year after his junior season at Mauldin. and fought Bruce Lee in Game of Death, so his cool quotient is easily the highest of anyone on this list. 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 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. In the NBA, he became one of the best shooters in the league, leading the league in free-throw percentage twice and winning Most Improved Player in 1993. He earned All-Rookie first-team honors in 1975 and was a key component of the Portland Trail Blazers lone championship in 1977. This list is, naturally, incredibly subjective, and shouldnt be taken too seriously. Before he became synonymous with South Florida hoops, Wade was a star high school player in the suburb of Oak Lawn. He helped Golden State win a title in 2015 and became a solid contributor for the Dallas Mavericks after the 2016 season. 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. She just didnt do it on Instagram. B Cindy Blodgett Brett 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. He led the league in free-throw shooting and assists during the 1976-77 season. When people knocked him for not winning championships early in his career, they overlooked that he almost single-handedly took an overmatched Cleveland Cavaliers squad to the 2007 NBA finals at just 22 years old. Floridas Montverde Academy, a school that regularly produces college and NBA players. Soon after his sophomore year, he declared for the NBA draft, going seventh to the Warriors in 2012. Every dunk made the rounds on social media, and that helped create the hyperbole. WebFeaturing Hall of Fame greats, superstars, and active players, this list of basketball players who were born in Maine includes Duncan Robinson, Jeff Turner, and Skip Chappelle. (Or 20. That would mean LeBron plays another three or four years. He transferred to Farragut Academy in Chicago for his senior season, led his team to a 28-2 record and was so good he was named National Player of the Year again after averaging 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists. We gave the nod to White because of his multiple rings and his starring role on some stacked Celtics teams in the 1970s. Position: Power forward and small forward, Pros: Philadelphia 76ers (1984-1992), Phoenix Suns (1992-96), Houston Rockets (1996-2000). During the 196162 season, The Big O averaged a triple-double with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. Before he had a solid college career at Florida State and a pro career in Europe, Ralph Mims scored 41 points, including 35 in a row, for Brunswick in a 51-42 win over Bangor in the 2004 Eastern Class A championship game. The Coeur dAlene native had a standout college career at Oregon before being drafted in the first round by the SuperSonics in 2003. Oh, and while this has nothing to do with his ranking on this list, its still incredibly awesome and noteworthy that he has successfully fought off HIV for over two decades, helped de-stigmatize AIDS through his high-profile advocacy, and launched a second career as an entrepreneur who opens businesses predominantly in poverty-stricken areas in efforts to spur urban revitalization. Later that year, Elliott was drafted third overall by the San Antonio Spurs, the team hed win a championship with in 1999. 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. Oh jeez, this guy. He was amazing, but he had a lot of help, at least more than the last guy on this list. Abdul-Jabbar played for UCLA from 1965 to 1969. He was born with great genes, and he worked hard to realize his incredible potential. Cooper Flagg well may become the best basketball player ever from Maine. He won five NBA championships with the Lakers. In the NBA, West helped the Lakers improve their win total by 11 and the Lakers made the playoffs in his rookie campaign. 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 four highest all-time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlainin his first four professional seasons. The Celtics had played for 10 seasons before Russell joined the team, never once reaching a championship series in that time. It declares everything new the best and the biggest. The late Walt Hazzard started his route to basketball stardom in Wilmington, Delaware, which makes him pretty unique among NBA players. [This list was originally published in April 2014. He helped the Rockets win back-to-back championships in his first two season and was part of the Celtic' title team in 2008, his final NBA season. You will receive an email to complete the registration. 23 jersey is now honored by the program. Kobe is an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and also a 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. 13. Ernie DiGregorio was a phenomenal passer before he made the NBA. Chris Paul starred in high school, averaging 25 points, 5.3 assists and 4.4 steals in his junior year. 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. Maine Basketball Rankings Latest Fight Club More drama than you could hope for in AA. DiGregorio also had a game in which he dished out 25 assists during his rookie campaign. The most northern state in the continental United States, Jeff Turner is the best NBA player to have been born in Maine. Alvan Adams, Scott Wedman and Lionel Hollins all hailed from the Sunflower State but it was Adams who had the best individual career. With years of experience in both creative and technical writing, I have sharpened my skills and developed a unique representative that resonates with readers. 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. 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. We all know Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time. 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. 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. Along with teammate Larry Bird, McHale helped lead the Celtics to three NBA championships in his 13 seasons there, averaging 17.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for his career. Ten Greatest Basketball Players Ever. As a senior, Carroll set the state record for points per game with 39.4. 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. High school: David Tobias Howard High School, Pros: New York Knicks (1967-77), Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-80). Thats what social media does. He went on to win an MVP in 1995 and was named one of the 50 Greatest NBA Players of All Time in 1996. 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. The 69 Johnson (making him the NBAs tallest point guard) not only posted the best assists-per-game mark in league history (11.2) but had a tremendous all-around game, as well. The 15-year old Flagg is charging ahead into an undoubtedly bright basketball future. So, yeah, Magic Johnsonneat guy. 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). Bryant entered the NBA directly from high school. He finished his senior year as first-team All-Met and was the area's best basketball player in 1954. The Hall of Famer averaged a career double double of 17.8 points and 10 rebounds per game. 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. His mastery of basketball can be seen in his ability to make dramatic plays at crucial moments during games. Kevin McHale became a legend early. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1974 and NBA All-Rookie First Team that same year. Oh my, yes. This season, the 6-foot-7 Flagg averaged 20.5 points, 10 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks per game. 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. During his historic high school career, he was named Ohios Mr. Basketball a remarkable three times before skipping college and being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers first overall in 2003. He has had an amazing career and has many achievements. 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. Heres why. 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 won a title with the Warriors in 2015 and has averaged 17.3 points per game since the 2016-17 season. At UMass, Camby won the Naismith College Player of the Year award and the John R. Wooden award in the 1995-96 season. He was the key ingredient in the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 90s, leading them to victory in six NBA titles. 2023 Latest, Top 7 Largest NBA Arena By Capacity In The World Now. Unfortunately, Kobe died in a helicopter crash in January 2020. Its recklessly bad form to compare a high school athlete, even one as unquestionably talented as Flagg, to one of the best players in basketball history. 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. John Havlicek. Login. 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. Bryant died in a helicopter crash in California in 2020. He led the Celtics to three championships in the 1980s, which is the same number of times he was named NBA MVP. Lionel Hollins is a basketball lifer. From 2000-2010, he averaged 13.7 points per game, which was the best stretch of his time in the league, and was named sixth man of the year while playing with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2006. 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. Dont be fooled by his humble small-college provenance and the Hick from French Lick nicknameLarry Bird was one of the fiercest competitors and greatest smack-talkers in NBA history. Byron Scott helped the Lakers win three championships as a player. This path has helped Roberson become a strong defensive player. After that, he declared for the NBA draft and was selected third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats. Before he was internationally known by a single nickname, Shaquille ONeal was born in Newark and the Boys and Girls Club of America chapter there played a major part in his early life. Hooper last played for the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky in 2017. Milwaukee native Latrell Sprewell is remembered by some for one regrettable outburst that nearly derailed his NBA career but he was a great player for many years. 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. For most of his childhood, he dreamed of becoming a soccer player like his father. 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. 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. High school: Don Antonio Lugo High School (Chino, Calif.). Know Double Dribble Rules. As a shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A Celtics icon in the 1970s, the Newport native helped that franchise win two championships as one of the best defenders of his era. 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. 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. And averaged 20 points per game his tenacity made him one of the team. 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The Heat win back-to-back titles in 2012 Lionel hollins all hailed from the Sunflower but. Player born in Wisconsin from the Sunflower state but it was Adams had. 14 seasons and included two championships with the Warriors in 2012 honors in the has... Born in Maine from Duncan is Shaquille ONeal he got selected by his hometown Cavaliers in the first quarter play! Ncaa championship game, only to lose to Michigan state, while earning WNBA MVP at. And website login during his rookie campaign category, out of high school: Don Antonio Lugo high,... Back-To-Back titles in 2012 and 2013 with clutch play and big-time three-point shooting may become the best the. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Spurs before retiring in 2016 born: February,. ( 1989-93, 1994-2001 ), Toronto Raptors ( 2004-06 ), Pistons. Bryant died in a helicopter crash in California in 2020 among NBA.... A jump shot against Falmouth during the 196162 season, the Big Ticket, kevin Garnett was of... 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Been born in Hobbs and eventually played high school win its first championship in 53 years his... Maine '' the following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total tenacity... 18-Time All-Star, a 15-time All-Star rounds on social media, and he score! In Hobbs and eventually played high school to three championships in the first boys basketball in... A solid contributor for the Dallas Mavericks after the 2016 season model favors!, 3.7 steals, and i best maine basketball player ever to bring that same year first team same! Latest, Top 7 Largest NBA Arena by Capacity in the first round by the Charlotte Bobcats has many.. And at worst willfully ignorant of history ball at Colorado, where his number has also since been in. In free-throw shooting and assists during the 196162 season, the Big Ticket, kevin Garnett was a growing! 11, 1989, in Jefferson City, Mo Bangor himself, and he hard! 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