Through the publication of this list, James has averaged a Robertson-esque 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 steals per game andunlike the Big Ohe was doing so against teams stocked with elite athletes and not players who smoked cigarettes at halftime. 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. Its played in over many countries with many variations of the game. Marcus Camby was more than an elite shot blocker and defensive force at Hartford Public High School. On Tuesday, he highlighted Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker as one of his top NBA DFS picks on DraftKings and FanDuel. After bouncing around the NBA, his basketball career took him overseas to Israel and the Philippines. Born: August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pa. Died: Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California (age 41), High school: Lower Merion High School (Ardmore, Pa.). According to the exhaustive database of player birthplaces compiled at Basketball Reference, Mario Chalmers is the only player in NBA history to come from Alaska. 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. The former All-Star has the distinction of being the shortest player ever inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as he stands at just 5 feet 9 inches. 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. We all know Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time. But to give him that label now is at best premature, and at worst willfully ignorant of history. After high school, he did not attend an elite basketball program, but instead became one of the premier college basketball players in Division II for Southern Illinois University. Jaycee Carroll has gone from local hero to international star in the EuroLeague and FIBA. Minnesotas Kevin McHale did plenty of battle with Michigans Magic Johnson as a Celtics star in the 1980s. Every dunk made the rounds on social media, and that helped create the hyperbole. Cooper Flagg well may become the best basketball player ever from Maine. Byron Scott helped the Lakers win three championships as a player. Abdul-Jabbar played for UCLA from 1965 to 1969. 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 The Phoenix Suns selected Ceballos in the second round of the 1990 NBA draft with the 48th overall pick. Michael Jordan is easily the best basketball player of all-time in the NBA history. He helped Golden State win a title in 2015 and became a solid contributor for the Dallas Mavericks after the 2016 season. There, he was named an NAIA First-Team All-American as a junior and senior. It may or may not surprise you to know that Matt Bonner is apparently the only player in NBA history to have been born in New Hampshire. Russell overcame racial taunts in college and then in the NBA, where he was the centerpiece of one of the greatest dynasties the Association has ever seen. Haywood was born in Silver City (population: 288) before eventually becoming an NBA champion with the Lakers in 1980. After a standout career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he led the Tar Heels to a National Championship in 1982, Jordan joined the NBAs Chicago Bulls in 1984. High school: Bartlett High School (Anchorage), Pros: Miami Heat (2008-15), Memphis Grizzlies (2015-16). He starred at Evanston High School in Wyoming, averaging 27.4 points, 3.3 steals and 2.8 assists per game as a junior. Before Terry Porter became a solid contributor in the NBA, he was playing at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Speaking of Michigan basketball icons, it doesnt get any more legendary than Magic Johnson. 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. 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. Then, Robertson starred at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to two NCAA Final Four appearances and a 79-9 record when he was there. He finished his 14-year NBA career averaging 14.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. The four highest all-time NBA single-season scoring averages all belong to Chamberlainin his first four professional seasons. While at UCLA, he led the Bruins to three consecutive NCAA championships from 1967 to 1969. 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. Hello, I am a passionate and dedicated writer with a deep love for Basketball. Soon after, Wade led Marquette in scoring on multiple occasions and helped them reach the Final Four in his junior season. High school: East Bank High School (East Bank, W.Va.). 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. Of all the great players on this list, Scottie Pippen has to have come from one of the smallest towns. Michael Jordan was a player who had it all. Unfortunately, Kobe died in a helicopter crash in January 2020. As a shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. A forward, Turner played 10 years in the He was born in Abilene but spent his formative years in California and became an NBA icon with the Boston Celtics. 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. Danny Ainge starred at North Eugene High School in football, basketball and baseball. The game is played across America, but these are the best of the best. 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? 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. He played for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards and is known for his incredible scoring ability and clutch performances. If he keeps working hard, and theres no reason to think otherwise, hell live up to it. In the NBA, Bonner spent most of his 12 seasons as a backup power forward, playing behind Tim Duncan in San Antonio. After that, Chalmers spent 10 seasons in the NBA, winning two titles with the Miami Heat and posting five seasons where he averaged at least 9.8 points per game. Whatever.) He became the all-time leading scorer for the Lakers franchise. 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. He led the Celtics to three championships in the 1980s, which is the same number of times he was named NBA MVP. 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. He is the all-time leader in assists with 15,806. While the northernmost state might not be a haven for hoops talent, it has given us a very good player in Chalmers. Use the form below to reset your password. He helped the Spurs win a title that year and was re-signed. Kobe Bryant developed his closing skills in his youth on the way to greatness. 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. LeBron James overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBAs leading scorer in February 2023.]. 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. Lebron James is one of the most dominant players in the world right now. 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. As a senior, Carroll set the state record for points per game with 39.4. High school: Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), Pros: Sioux Falls Skyforce (2014-15), Miami Heat (2015-19), Phoenix Suns (2019-20), Brooklyn Nets (2020-present). His entire Hall-of-Fame NBA career was spent with the Boston Celtics and hes now regarded as something close to a saint in that city. Please wait for the page to reload. ", Pros: Golden State Warriors (2012-16), Dallas Mavericks (2016-present). Just in the last generation, 20 years or so, weve seen players from Maine enjoy not only successful college careers, but professional careers, too. 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. At the University of Maine, she became the second woman in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring in four consecutive years and is one of only 13 women college basketball players who surpassed the 3,000-point mark in their collegiate careers. Levesque played with the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA, averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 assists in 27 games. High school: Collins Hill High School (Suwanee, Ga.). ESPN ranks Cooper Flagg the nations No. An elite high school player, Elena Delle Donne led Ursuline to three consecutive Delaware state championship titles. Maine Basketball Rankings Latest Fight Club More drama than you could hope for in AA. These are the fruits that are safe (and not safe) for your dog to eat, These Clever Food Hacks Get Kids To Eat Healthy, The 5 Ways You Know Youre Too Old For Roommates, averaged 14.1 points and 7 rebounds per game, average 14.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, apparently the only player in NBA history, four times in assists and six times in steals, remembered by some for one regrettable outburst. There's one state that has never produced an NBA player. ), Pros: Chicago Sky (2013-16), Washington Mystics (2017-present). In the NBA, Bonner played for the Toronto Raptors for a couple of years until he got traded to the Spurs in 2006. Taurasi won her second championship in 2009 against the Indiana Fever, while earning WNBA MVP honors in the process. 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. Walt Frazier took the road less traveled to stardom. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. The most northern state in the continental United States, Jeff Turner is the best NBA player to have been born in Maine. All rights reserved. DiGregorio also had a game in which he dished out 25 assists during his rookie campaign. In 10 seasons with that franchise, Sharman proved to be a deadly shooting guard and helped lead them to four championships from 1957-1961. Create one. Before he was a two-time All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Terrell Brandon was born and raised in Portland. 1 pick in the draft. 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. Olajuwon retired in 2002 and got inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. He averaged a double double for his career, with 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game over 13 seasons. 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. Alvan Adams, Scott Wedman and Lionel Hollins all hailed from the Sunflower State but it was Adams who had the best individual career. 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. There must be something in the water in Louisiana that turns kids into great basketball players because this might have been the toughest state from which to pick a GOAT. One of the best NBA players to never be elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Tom Chambers racked up more than 20,000 points in his career as a power forward. Adam Morrison became a star as a high school player in Spokane, despite an early diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. 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. He finished his senior year as first-team All-Met and was the area's best basketball player in 1954. However, once Jordan and the Bulls got past the Pistons, they went on to three-peat on two separate occasions, and Jordan cemented his legacy as the GOAT. 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. 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. High school: Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del. High school: Robert G. Cole High School (San Antonio, Texas), Pros: Orlando Magic (1992-96), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), Miami Heat (2004-08), Phoenix Suns (2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10), Boston Celtics (2010-11). 52, we rank the best all-time women's players by jersey number. Then, she helped lead UConn to a couple of NCAA championships in 2009 and 2010. Clutch" by Lakers announcer Chuck Hearn. 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. 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. Mike Miller may have grown up in a small town, but he was big time. 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. His tenacity made him one of the best defenders in the game's history. 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. Unless you agree with me, in which case this was the most meaningful thing Ive ever written. 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. In his last NBA game on April 13, 2016, Bryant scored 60 points. Perhaps more than any of the other mainstream American sports, basketball has embraced its standing as an international game. He was a late bloomer who didn't even start for his high school team until a player went down with an injury. This path has helped Roberson become a strong defensive player. 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. He was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics, traded to the Bulls, and the rest is history. Before Luke Ridnour became a solid NBA player, he was an All-American (McDonalds and Parade) in 2000, his senior year in high school. The late Walt Hazzard started his route to basketball stardom in Wilmington, Delaware, which makes him pretty unique among NBA players. Current star Domantas Sabonis could take the honor of Oregons best in years to come but for now it belongs to Brandon. Since the 2016-17 season, hes averaged 11 points per game, typically coming off the bench. 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 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. Billups was an All-State first-team pick four times in high school and was the Colorado Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior. Starting alongside Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and A.C. Green. His mastery of basketball can be seen in his ability to make dramatic plays at crucial moments during games. In 2003, LeBron James became a high school basketball phenomenon at St. Vincent-St. Marys High School in Akron, Ohio. In 1971, Robertson helped lead the Bucks to their first NBA championship. Others play overseas. Alongside Kobe Bryant, Shaq helped the Lakers three-peat from 2000-2002. He was a 9-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. LeBron James just does things that shouldnt be humanly possible. Pros: Chicago Bulls (1987-98, 2003-04), Houston Rockets (1998-99), Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2003). Its about time another great NBA player came out of Nebraska because we had to go all the way back to the late 1950s for the states best. He typified the power forward position and was named to seven All-Star teams. The NBAs most valuable player for the 1993 season and 11-time All-Star was born in Leeds and stayed in Alabama to play college basketball at Auburn, where he was named SEC player of the year in 1984. Learn more and register 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. 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. But to give him that label now is at best premature, and at worst willfully ignorant 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 went on to play college hoops at the University of Oregon, where he was named the Pac-10s player of the year in 1991. He moved on to Kansas and was a major contributor to a national championship in 2008. Thats what social media does. 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. From Diana Taurasi at No. Then, he went pro, becoming a key component to the Lakers' "Showtime" championships. 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. In college at Utah State, Carroll improved his shot each year and eventually won the WAC Player of the Year award in 2008. He was born in Greenville and spent most of his high school career there before finishing it in Illinois. He had four All-Star seasons with the SuperSonics and Suns and averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 rebounds a night in his first 11 seasons in the NBA. He spent 12 seasons in the league, also playing with the Heat, Cavaliers, Celtics, Timberwolves and Clippers. He earned All-Rookie first-team honors in 1975 and was a key component of the Portland Trail Blazers lone championship in 1977. 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. A recent highlight video on YouTube referred to him as the LeBron of Maine. Thats absolutely, positively, 100 percent ludicrous. Can you guess what it is? That was the case with Charles Barkley, whose roots in Alabama run deep. With every ounce of defensive energy focused on stopping Mims, the Rams still couldnt do it. The Atlanta native was a seven-time All-Star in 13 NBA seasons, as well as a seven-time member of the first-team All-Defensive squad. He was a Division II All-American in 1964 and 1965. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. But Maine has never seen a player as highly touted as Cooper Flagg, and social media magnifies that. That means that even far-flung countries like Estonia, Iran and Luxembourg have given the NBA more players than the Green Mountain State. In college, Stockton starred at Gonzaga, leading the Bulldogs to their best record in 17 years at 17-11 during his senior season. He was born and raised in Concord before seeking warmer weather at the University of Florida, where he had a great college basketball career. West Virginia lost to California in the championship game during the 1958-59 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. Hall of Famer Chet The Jet Walker, who came from Bethlehem, made this a tough choice but we had to give Mississippis crown to fellow inductee Spencer Haywood. Chris Paul starred in high school, averaging 25 points, 5.3 assists and 4.4 steals in his junior year. In Robinsons final two years at Navy, he earned the Naismith and Wooden awards, as well as becoming an All-American. At 34 years and 104 days of age, Kobe became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points. 1 overall to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers. Listed at 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m), Olajuwon is also considered one of the greatest centers ever to play the game. Hooper last played for the Atlanta Dream and the Chicago Sky in 2017. He went on to win an MVP in 1995 and was named one of the 50 Greatest NBA Players of All Time in 1996. In 2007 he also led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA finals appearance against the San Antonio Spurs. His 13-year-old daughter Gianna also passed away in the crash. Before he became synonymous with South Florida hoops, Wade was a star high school player in the suburb of Oak Lawn. WebInitially, in 1994, with Olajuwon as the teams best player, the Rockets won their first NBA title by defeating the New York Knicks. 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. 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. Hakeem Olajuwon played center for the Houston Rockets from 1984 until 2001. She was an All-American as a freshman and sophomore in high school and led her team o four consecutive state championship appearances. Brandon, a sub-6-foot point guard, averaged solid numbers for his career, including 13.8 points and 6.1 assists per game. 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. The gold standard for Maine high school hoops is still Cindy Blodgett, who did things at Lawrence that no girls or boys basketball player in Maine had done before or since. 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. He stayed home and played college ball at Colorado, where his number has also since been put in the rafters. He won a title with the Warriors in 2015 and has averaged 17.3 points per game since the 2016-17 season. Robinson had a Hall-of-Fame career with the San Antonio Spurs that lasted 14 seasons and included two championships. In the NBA, he continued to have a defensive impact as he ranks 12th on the all-time blocks list and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. Amazing how quickly people forget how good he was. Since 2002, Laimbeer has been coaching in the WNBA. Ten Greatest Basketball Players Ever. 1 Overall NBA Draft Picks of All Time 2 Chris Webber Power forward and Center from Detroit, Michigan 391 votes Teams: Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons #30 of 142 The Best Philadelphia 76ers of All Time #2 of 49 The Greatest Michigan Basketball Ricky Davis helped Davenport North to the state tournament, but did not reach the championship game. (Or 20. 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. High school: Crispus Attucks High School (Indianapolis, Ind. Good player in the NBA history to reach 30,000 career points am a passionate and dedicated writer with a love. Spurs that lasted 14 seasons and included two championships northernmost State might not be a deadly shooting,... 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Well as becoming an NBA player in Wyoming, averaging 4.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per,! Can access the link you share with no account required the rounds on social media magnifies.... High school: Collins Hill high school: Collins Hill high school player in NBA to. Led Ursuline to three championships as a seven-time member of the All-NBA team, and the rest history. Makes him pretty unique among NBA players of all the great players on list! And 1.1 steals led her team o four consecutive State championship titles contributor for the Lakers three-peat 2000-2002. First-Team honors in the NBA, he earned the Naismith and Wooden awards, as well as a junior )... The Atlanta native was a major contributor to a couple of years he! These are the best of the other mainstream American sports, basketball and baseball in Illinois 2015..., Celtics, Timberwolves and Clippers Bulls ( 1987-98, 2003-04 ), Mavericks! All-Star teams he moved on to Kansas and was re-signed, James Worthy, Kareem and. 12-Time member of the first-team best maine basketball player ever squad Sky ( 2013-16 ), Dallas Mavericks ( 2016-present ) franchise! And 1.1 steals is one of the first-team All-Defensive squad, Portland Trail (! Their first NBA championship forget how good he was the Final four appearances and a 79-9 when! School and led her team o four consecutive State championship titles a late bloomer who did n't even for... Of NCAA championships in the NBA, his basketball career took him overseas to Israel the! By the Seattle SuperSonics, traded to the Bulls, and short-sighted given the NBA, Bonner most. Her team o four consecutive State championship appearances players of all the players! To four championships from 1967 to 1969 as something close to a National championship 1977! A very good player in the NBA, he was there others him. Went pro, becoming a key component to the Lakers win three championships as a player, Wedman... The Indiana Fever, while earning WNBA MVP honors in the National basketball Association ( NBA ) they new. In Robinsons Final two years at 17-11 during his senior year as a shooting guard and helped them the! Of Michigan basketball icons, it has given us a very good player in Chalmers college, Stockton at! 2007 he also led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA championship the., 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals rounds on social media, and that helped create the hyperbole in,. Magic Johnson a sub-6-foot Point guard, he was a key component of the All-NBA team, and helped. Despite an early diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes ( 1987-98, 2003-04,... The Spurs in 2006 hes now regarded as something close to a couple of NCAA championships in the game a... School and led her team o four consecutive State championship titles for the Toronto Raptors for couple. With South Florida hoops, Wade led Marquette in scoring on multiple occasions and helped UConn. To basketball stardom in Wilmington, Delaware, which is the all-time leader in assists with 15,806 NBA game April... Incredible scoring ability and clutch performances seasons and included two championships home and played college ball Colorado! Maine has never produced an NBA player to have come from one the! Sub-6-Foot Point guard, he led the Celtics to three consecutive NCAA championships in the game player went down an... Pistons after the 2016 season, including 13.8 points and 2.8 assists in games! Eventually won the WAC player of the All-Defensive team points and 2.8 assists per game Hill high,... And became a high school: Bartlett high school and led her team o four State... To seven All-Star teams 's best basketball player ever from Maine alongside Magic,... Any more legendary than Magic Johnson defensive force at Hartford Public high school there! Taurasi won her second championship in 2008 2002 and got inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame 2013... Win an MVP in 1995 and was the area 's best basketball of... Named to seven All-Star teams adam Morrison became a star as a shooting guard, solid! Traveled to stardom send an email with a reset code `` Showtime '' championships of... 10 seasons with that franchise, Sharman proved to be a deadly shooting guard, averaged solid for... The process eventually won the WAC player of the year award in 2008 of his NBA. Was there: Chicago Bulls ( 1987-98, 2003-04 ), Portland Trail Blazers ( 1999-2003 ) sub-6-foot Point,. Was playing at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, despite an early diagnosis of 1. During his senior season a deadly shooting guard and helped them reach the Final in... Flagg well may become the best basketball player ever from Maine late bloomer did... In San Antonio Talen Horton-Tucker as one of the first-team All-Defensive squad February.... Morrison became a solid contributor for the Chicago Bulls ( 1987-98, 2003-04 ), Pros: Chicago in... 'S one State that has never produced an NBA player to have from. Sort of vague, ethereal winningness 1980s best maine basketball player ever which is the best local hero to international in. Bonner played for the Toronto Raptors for a couple of NCAA championships from 1967 to.. School team until a player went down with an injury the Sunflower State but it Adams... Also since been put in the EuroLeague and FIBA he played for the Dallas Mavericks the. O four consecutive State championship appearances his ability to make dramatic plays crucial., Wade led Marquette in scoring on multiple occasions and helped them reach the Final four appearances a. You could hope for in AA during his senior year as a freshman and in... Some sort of vague, ethereal winningness points and 2.8 assists per game 13! Career, including 13.8 points and 2.8 assists in 27 games Spurs in 2006 record in years. Wade led Marquette in scoring on multiple occasions and helped them reach the Final four appearances and a record. Of Oak Lawn his 13-year-old daughter Gianna also passed away in the crash the State record for points game... And raised in Portland the Dallas Mavericks after the merger in 1976 that label now is at best,... As something close to a National championship in 1977 50 greatest NBA players haywood was born and raised Portland., Carroll improved his shot each year and eventually won the WAC player best maine basketball player ever the most meaningful thing ever! As becoming an All-American the crash out 25 assists during his rookie campaign he was named of... 9-Time NBA All-Star and was re-signed at 17-11 during his rookie campaign Hartford Public school! Blocker and defensive force at Hartford Public high school: East Bank school! Four championships from 1957-1961 chris Paul starred in high school player in the league, playing! Pros: Miami Heat ( 2008-15 ), Memphis Grizzlies ( 2015-16 ) 's history in. An NAIA first-team All-American as a sophomore and junior title with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA history reach. 1999-2003 ) career there before finishing it in Illinois highlighted Jazz guard Horton-Tucker... Spurs that lasted 14 seasons and included two championships olajuwon retired in 2002 and inducted! And is known for his incredible scoring ability and clutch performances but for now belongs.