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. He made 62 percent of his shot. Your email address will not be published. In 1961-1962, Robertson became the first player in league history to average a triple-double for a season, with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists. 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). 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. Morrison started to make an impact on Gonzaga in his sophomore year when he averaged 19 points per game. 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. High school: Mead High School (Spokane, Wash.), Pros: Charlotte Bobcats (2006-09), Los Angeles Lakers (2009-10), Red Star Belgrade (2011), Besiktas (2012). 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. Bullet Bob Boozer came from Omaha and remained a major part of that community until his death in 2012. 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. 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. He led the league in rebounding six times and was a 13-time All-Star who spent time with nine different franchises across the ABA and NBA, winning a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983. 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. We are here to give the best tips on it. New Mexicos all-time hoops hero, Bill Bridges, spent 13 seasons in the NBA during the 1960s and 70s. According to Basketball Reference, only nine players in the league have ever come from that state. The commonwealth of Kentucky has given the NBA some truly great players, with Dave Cowens at the forefront. But, well, he played alongside another top-25 talent in Scottie Pippen and was coached by the strategic genius Phil Jackson during his most productive years. Olajuwon retired in 2002 and got inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. 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). Born: Feb. 13, 1981, in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, High school: Blaine High School (Blaine, Wash.), Pros: Seattle SuperSonics (2003-08), Milwaukee Bucks (2008-10, 2013-14), Minnesota Timberwolves (2010-13), Charlotte Bobcats (2014), Orlando Magic (2014-15). Heres why. He was amazing, but he had a lot of help, at least more than the last guy on this list. So here is the article on the greatest basketball players of all time. 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. Before Terry Porter became a solid contributor in the NBA, he was playing at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. This path has helped Roberson become a strong defensive player. Minnesotas Kevin McHale did plenty of battle with Michigans Magic Johnson as a Celtics star in the 1980s. 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. That was the case with Charles Barkley, whose roots in Alabama run deep. He eventually won three NBA championships and was a 13-time All-Star, all with the Miami Heat. 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. WebThe 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, also referred to as NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, were chosen in 1996 to honor the 50th anniversary of the founding of the 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. Prior to becoming "The Logo," Jerry West was a star at West Virginia, helping the Mountaineers grab a Final Four appearance in his junior season. COMMENTARY: Such a label is unfair to the 15-year-old phenom, and short-sighted given the professional basketball success of others before him. 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. 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. Who are the 10 best point guards in the NBA right now 2023? 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. 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. 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. In addition to his unprecedented prowess at putting up points, Chamberlain was also the only person to grab more rebounds per game than Bill Russell (22.9), all while averaging more minutes played per game than any player in league history (45.8). Point guard Luke Ridnour is the only Idahoan to last more than five years in the NBA, according to Basketball Reference. 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. 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. 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. He led his high school to a 68-1 record over two years and helped them win a state championship in his senior season. But to give him that label now is at best premature, and at worst willfully ignorant of history. That means that even far-flung countries like Estonia, Iran and Luxembourg have given the NBA more players than the Green Mountain State. The mans desire to be the best is legendary and propelled him to six championships, five MVP awards, All-Star appearances in every full season he played, and the status as possibly the best defender ever. The Pistol played in only 4 All-Star games but still managed to average 24.2 points per game over his career and is considered one of the best pure scorers in NBA history.. Pete Maravich 14. As a Laker, he was a 10-time All-NBA First Team and 11-time All-Star selection. 1. 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). He was born in Lansing and had an outstanding high school hoops career there before staying very close to home and playing at Michigan State, a program that he led to a national championship in 1979. Others play overseas. Ceballos was born in Maui before moving to the mainland and eventually ascending to the NBA. There's one state that has never produced an NBA player. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. 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 1-ranked recruit and a McDonalds All-American coming out of high school. High school: Harold L. Richards High School, Pros: Miami Heat (2003-16, 2018-present), Chicago Bulls (2016-17), Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18). 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. As a sophomore, Miller led the Florida Gators to the 2000 NCAA championship game, only to lose to Michigan State. Learn more. 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. The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award Morgan Wootten High School Player of the Year Award Gatorade National Player of the Year McDonalds National She was the No. as a member of the Miami Heat. In the NBA, Bonner spent most of his 12 seasons as a backup power forward, playing behind Tim Duncan in San Antonio. Then, Robertson starred at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to two NCAA Final Four appearances and a 79-9 record when he was there. Can you believe that no player from Vermont has ever played a game in the NBA? 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. Before Tyler Johnson developed his all-around game at Fresno State, averaging 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals. 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. 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. 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. In 1995 they won again, beating the Orlando Web1 Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Chauncey Billups became "Mr. Big Shot" long before he became one of the best clutch performers in the NBA. LeBron James is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the all-time leader in assists with 15,806. Gary Payton is one of the best defensive players of all time. He finished his senior year as first-team All-Met and was the area's best basketball player in 1954. On Tuesday, he highlighted Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker as one of his top NBA DFS picks on DraftKings and FanDuel. High school: Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Baltimore), College: San Jacinto (1989-91), Florida State (1991-93), Pros: Houston Rockets (1993-96), Phoenix Suns (1996), Dallas Mavericks (1996-97), New Jersey Nets (1997-99), Milwaukee Bucks (1999-2003), Minnesota Timberwolves (2003-05), Los Angeles Clippers (2005-08), Boston Celtics (2008-09). He led the franchise to its first championship in Los Angeles in 1972. He was the first overall pick in the 1959 draft, taken by the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings). 3 high school basketball freshman. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was a basketball prodigy at Gulfport High School, averaging 29.9 points and 5.7 assists in his senior season and getting an invitation to the McDonalds All-American game. In his last NBA game on April 13, 2016, Bryant scored 60 points. John Havlicek. But Bryants career and impact on the league were indelible and his signature toughness partly came from learning to play ball in his native Philadelphia. In 2014, Taurasi earned MVP honors again while helping the Mercury set a single-season wins record with 29 and win another championship. 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. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Robinson had a Hall-of-Fame career with the San Antonio Spurs that lasted 14 seasons and included two championships. Before Elgin Baylor became one of the greatest players in NBA history, he starred at Spingarn High School and was named first team All-Met. 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. Pros: San Antonio Spurs (1989-93, 1994-2001), Detroit Pistons (1993-94). Required fields are marked *. As a senior, Carroll set the state record for points per game with 39.4. Dave Cowens starred at Florida State, averaging 19 points and 17.2 rebounds per game in his collegiate career. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1974 and NBA All-Rookie First Team that same year. Position: Small forward and power forward. 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. #7 Mike Bordick WINTERPORT Played in two College World 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 native of Ames was named Iowas Mr. Basketball in 2010 before becoming a first-round pick for the Golden State Warriors in 2012 and would be on the NBAs All-Rookie first team after his first season. While John Stocktons NBA career is forever linked to Utah, he learned his trade in his native Washington. She also was a three-time MVP, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and four-time WNBA champion. Its bad form to compare any high school athlete to a professional. 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. 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). This nickname occurred in a family where Charles was always called Charles, and the women had names like Mabel, Marion and Alice. He then played for Florida and was a first-team All-SEC selection in his senior year and an honorable mention for an All-American. He is the all-time UMass leader in blocks (336) and was only the fourth college player ever to reject 300-plus shot. Adams was named rookie of the year in 1976 and eventually had his jersey number retired by the Suns after walking away in 1988. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Brandon, a sub-6-foot point guard, averaged solid numbers for his career, including 13.8 points and 6.1 assists per game. With years of experience in both creative and technical writing, I have sharpened my skills and developed a unique representative that resonates with readers. 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. But do you know how he got to be so great? In total, Abdul-Jabbar spent 20 seasons in the NBA with Milwaukee and Los Angeles. 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. Kobe Bean Bryant is an American former basketball player. 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