Which State Has Produced the Most NBA Players?
We took a look at the top 10 states that have produced the most NBA players and found some interesting results. See which state takes the top spot!
Indiana
Indiana has produced the most NBA players of any state in the country. In total, there have been 38 Indiana-born players who have made it to the NBA. The state is also home to the most successful college basketball program in history, the University of Indiana. Notable Indiana-born NBA players include Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and Steve Alford.
California
California currently leads the way with the most NBA players of any state, with a total of 216 players hailing from the Golden State. That includes superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant, as well as role players and benchwarmers. Interestingly, California is followed closely by New York (215 players) and then by Texas (142 players). Florida rounds out the top five states, with 115 NBA players coming from the Sunshine State.
New York
New York has long been considered the mecca of basketball, and it has produced more NBA players than any other state. In fact, New York is responsible for nearly one-sixth of all NBA players! Some of the greatest players in history have come from New York, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James.
Not surprisingly, the vast majority of New York’s NBA players come from the city itself. The borough of Brooklyn alone has produced more NBA players than any other city in the world! Other New York hotspots for producing NBA talent include Harlem, Queens, and the Bronx.
While New York may be the king of producing NBA players, other states are not far behind. California is a close second, followed by Illinois and Indiana. These states have all produced several Hall of Famers and MVPs. So if you’re hoping to make it to the NBA one day, you might want to consider moving to one of these states!
Illinois
Since the NBA was founded in 1946, there have been a number of great players who have come out of the state of Illinois. In fact, Illinois has produced more NBA players than any other state in the country.
Some of the great players who have come from Illinois include Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Isiah Thomas, and Kobe Bryant. These players all had successful careers in the NBA, and they are all considered to be among the best players in the history of the league.
While there are a number of other states that have produced a great number of NBA players, Illinois stands out as the clear leader. If you’re looking for a great place to play basketball, then Illinois is definitely the state for you.
