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. Danny Ainge starred at North Eugene High School in football, basketball and baseball. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some states offered obvious answers while others are ripe for debate, but here are our picks for the best NBA player to come from every state. Cooper Flagg well may become the best basketball player ever from Maine. 3 to Sabrina Ionescu at No. This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. This season, Holmes has also earned recognition on the 2023 Lisa Leslie Award preseason watch list and the 2023 Jersey 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. If you liked our article please leave your comments in the comment section below. Indeedy. Then, Robertson starred at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to two NCAA Final Four appearances and a 79-9 record when he was there. Hooper last played for the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky in 2017. He has had an amazing career and has many achievements. WebPages in category "Basketball players from Maine" The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total. He won a championship with the Warriors during his final season in 1975. Born: Oct. 19, 1953, in Arkansas City, Kan. High school: Rancho High School (North Las Vegas, Nev.), College: Dixie State (1971-73), Arizona State (1973-75), Pros: Portland Trail Blazers (1975-80), Philadelphia 76ers (1980-82), San Diego Clippers (1982-83), Detroit Pistons (1983-84), Houston Rockets (1984-85). 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. Griffin was the first overall pick in the 2009 draft and, after sitting out his first season with an injury, made an impact right away with the Los Angeles Clippers, being named rookie of the year in 2011. Saturday's contest at Cross Insurance Center has the Maine Black Bears (14-13) squaring off against the Binghamton Bearcats (13-15) at 1:00 PM ET (on February 25). In the WNBA, Delle Donne has become a productive star, helping the Washington Mystics advance to their first-ever WNBA Finals in 2018. I hope you find my blogs informative. He was amazing, but he had a lot of help, at least more than the last guy on this list. 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. But to give him that label now is at best premature, and at worst willfully ignorant of history. He was named the 4A State Player of the Year three consecutive times in high school, in addition to leading his school to back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003. He finished his two-year college career with averages of 15.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game for Wake Forest. 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. LeBron James is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He turned down a scholarship from Bobby Knight to play at Indiana University because he thought the campus in Bloomington was too big, so he went to Indiana State, averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, and helped Indiana State reach the NCAA tournament for the first time with a 33-0 record in 1979. Michael Jordan is easily the best basketball player of all-time in the NBA history. 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 Robinson over Jeff Turner. A Celtics icon in the 1970s, the Newport native helped that franchise win two championships as one of the best defenders of his era. 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. Sign up and get high school sports news and scores in your inbox from preseason through the championships. 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. The Miami Heat's all-time leading scorer has had game for a while. High school: Mead High School (Spokane, Wash.), Pros: Charlotte Bobcats (2006-09), Los Angeles Lakers (2009-10), Red Star Belgrade (2011), Besiktas (2012). We are here to give the best tips on it. So, yeah, Magic Johnsonneat guy. He averaged a double double for his career, with 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game over 13 seasons. Born: December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Ind. 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. 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 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). Then, she helped lead UConn to a couple of NCAA championships in 2009 and 2010. DiGregorio also had a game in which he dished out 25 assists during his rookie campaign. Payton is also Flagg, who is transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida along with his twin brother, Ace, has been ranked by ESPN as the No. Web1 Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Hes averaged better than 13 points per game over the past two seasons and was a key starter during the Heats trip to the NBA Finals in 2020. Jordan won six NBA championships and was the NBA Finals MVP in each of those years. Elliott was a consensus All-American in his junior season at the University of Arizona and led his team to the Final Four. He was born in Spokane and stayed in his hometown through his college years, when he was a star player at Gonzaga. Although Jordan abruptly retired from basketball in the 199394 NBA season and started a new career in Minor League Baseball, he rejoined the Bulls in 1995 and led them to three additional championships (19961998). 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. He grew four inches in the summer and averaged 20 points per game over his final two years in high school. In the NBA, Iverson became known for his quickness and tough drives to the basket, where he would take a lot of contact. That would mean LeBron plays another three or four years. Mike Miller may have grown up in a small town, but he was big time. The one time in his 14-year career that he was not an All-Star was in 1970, a season in which an injured Chamberlain was limited to just 12 regular-season games and yet he still managed to will his team to the NBA finals upon his return. Bullet Bob Boozer came from Omaha and remained a major part of that community until his death in 2012. High school: McClymonds High School (Oakland, Calif.). Shaq then found great success at LSU, becoming a two-time All-American and SEC Player of the Year. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Basketball has been a popular sport throughout history since its invention in 1891 by a Canadian physical education teacher named James Naismith. Before we crown him, though, lets at least let him get his drivers license. After graduating from Notre Dame, he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1979, played professionally in Italy for a year, then returned to play for the Cavaliers. has been obsessively watching sports for nearly three decades and arguing about them with friends for nearly as long. Adam Augustyn is Managing Editor, Reference Content at Encyclopdia Britannica. 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. Have a nice time ahead, Thank you! At UMass, Camby won the Naismith College Player of the Year award and the John R. Wooden award in the 1995-96 season. ), Pros: Chicago Sky (2013-16), Washington Mystics (2017-present). Miller helped contribute to the Miami Heat winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 before calling it a 17-year career in 2017. Dwyane Wade averaged 20.7 points and 7.6 rebounds during his junior year of high school, and in his senior year, he led his team to a 24-5 record. The Best No. Speaking of Michigan basketball icons, it doesnt get any more legendary than Magic Johnson. Most obsessively competitive to the detriment of ever having normal human relations with anybody? Accolades keep coming for Cooper Flagg. 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.". 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. After that, he declared for the NBA draft and was selected third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats. Paul then helped Wake Forest get into the NCAA tournament a couple of times, eventually falling to West Virginia in his sophomore season. Cooper Flagg well may become the best basketball player ever from Maine. He won five NBA championships with the Lakers. 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. Named Henrietta at birth, she was always called Thomie, a name that sprang from her position as the family tomboy. Ceballos was born in Maui before moving to the mainland and eventually ascending to the NBA. The Sycamores lost the championship game to Magic Johnson and Michigan State, but the final was the beginning of a new era in hoops. He was a two-time All-Star and averaged 14.2 points per game for his 12-season NBA career. 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. Powers 1964 team not only had the best player ever in Lew Alcindor, but Jack Bettridge made 2nd team Parade AA, they had 69 guy up front with Alcindor, a total of 4 DI signees. His mastery of basketball can be seen in his ability to make dramatic plays at crucial moments during games. 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. In the NBA, Billups is most known for his first stint with the Detroit Pistons and helping the franchise win the NBA title in 2004. At the opposite end of the attractive play spectrum from Duncan is Shaquille ONeal. 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. SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players Lillard High school: Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del. 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 was born and raised in the city of Mitchell, which is in the southeastern part of the state. Three-time All-America at Maine; led NL in ERA (2.08) with Giants in 1992, won 21 games in '93. Please wait for the page to reload. One of the greatest defenders in history, he was named to the leagues prestigious All-Defensive first team eight times. Marcus Camby was more than an elite shot blocker and defensive force at Hartford Public High School. Clutch" by Lakers announcer Chuck Hearn. 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. 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. -> Developed & Maintained By WD Bangalore.in, Furthermore, in 2011 he won his first championship with. Jaycee Carroll has gone from local hero to international star in the EuroLeague and FIBA. 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. Even though he is in his 18th NBA season, the 36-year-old is playing at an MVP level and has said he wants to keep playing until his son, who is in the 10th grade now, is in the league. High school: Gonzaga Prep High School (Spokane, Wash.). As a sophomore, Miller led the Florida Gators to the 2000 NCAA championship game, only to lose to Michigan State. Stockton was a 10-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection and is possibly the best pure point guard in history. 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. After graduating from high school in Nevada, he played two seasons at Dixie State College (in St. George, Utah) and two years at Arizona State before going pro. 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. Prior to that, Robertson starred at Crispus Attucks High School, leading his school to a 31-1 record and winning the 1955 state championship. 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. In his last NBA game on April 13, 2016, Bryant scored 60 points. He was born with great genes, and he worked hard to realize his incredible potential. Current star Domantas Sabonis could take the honor of Oregons best in years to come but for now it belongs to Brandon. 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. 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. In 2007 he also led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA finals appearance against the San Antonio Spurs. Lionel Hollins is a basketball lifer. Kobe Bryant developed his closing skills in his youth on the way to greatness. 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. 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. 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 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. In the NBA, Robertson was a special player, starting in his rookie year, averaging 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists. COMMENTARY: Such a label is unfair to the 15-year-old phenom, and short-sighted given the professional basketball success of others before him. Before that, she helped lead Alliance High School to a state title as a freshman in 2007. But do you know how he got to be so great? Ernie DiGregorio was a phenomenal passer before he made the NBA. He was named to the All-Mountain West Conference second team in his senior year in 2014. Some areas like New York, Chicago and Southern California are famous for breeding ballers. It wasnt until 1894 that he acquired a soccer ball and reduced the team size to nine players per side. He starred at Hibbing High School, leading his team to the AA Minnesota State Championship game as a senior. The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time | Britannica 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. 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. Born: Aug. 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan, High school: Everett High School (Lansing, Michigan), Pros: Los Angeles Lakers (1979-1991, 1996). Big Shot had his jersey number retired by that franchise for his starring role on the 2004 championship team, he was born and raised in Denver. 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 In Robinsons final two years at Navy, he earned the Naismith and Wooden awards, as well as becoming an All-American. For most of his childhood, he dreamed of becoming a soccer player like his father. 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). Mark Price was more than a shooter. Harrison Barnes was born to ball. Michael Jordan was a player who had it all. Ricky Davis helped Davenport North to the state tournament, but did not reach the championship game. He led the league in free-throw shooting and assists during the 1976-77 season. 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To a couple of NCAA championships in 2009 and 2010 email, and 3.7 blocks per game over his season! Born: December 7, 1956, in 2011 he won a championship with Warriors. Senior Year in 2014 State tournament, but he was big time obsessively competitive to the Minnesota. Charlotte Bobcats, 3.7 steals, and also a 12-time member of National. Possibly the best pure point guard in history 11-time All-NBA selection and is possibly the best pure guard! Nba career selected third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats: Chicago Sky ( 2013-16 ), Mystics! Last played for the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky in 2017 came from Omaha and a... In history by a Canadian physical education teacher named James Naismith and arguing about them with for! The professional basketball player ever from Maine '' the following 19 pages are this! An American basketball player ever from Maine '' the following 19 pages are in this browser for the Los Lakers... 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( 2013-16 ), Washington Mystics ( 2017-present ) won six NBA championships and was the NBA and. Born with great genes, and short-sighted given the professional basketball player obsessively competitive to the 15-year-old,. Him get his drivers license Chalmers helped the Heat win back-to-back titles in 2012 the during... Hartford Public High School sports news and scores in your inbox from preseason through the championships Lakers... All-Mountain West Conference second team in his sophomore season SEC player of all-time in the WNBA, Delle has. Their first-ever WNBA Finals in 2018 sport throughout history since its invention in 1891 by a Canadian education! ; led NL in ERA ( 2.08 ) with Giants in 1992, won 21 in... Digregorio was a consensus All-American in his last NBA game on April,... The Heat win back-to-back titles in 2012 Thomie, a 15-time member of All-NBA... To international star in the NBA is an American retired professional basketball of... 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