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NBA History: Best NBA player born in each state

By Jerran Anderson

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 01: Former Milwaukee Bucks player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is honored at halftime during a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 1, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 01: Former Milwaukee Bucks player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is honored at halftime during a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 1, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bulls
Photo by Rocky W. Widner/Getty Images /

Best NBA player born in Iowa: Kirk Hinrich

The state of Iowa is another state without a Hall of Famer, but its produced enough talent to find a quality player. Forward Harrison Barnes is one current budding star from the state that looms large but point guard Kirk Hinrich takes home the crown as the best player for now.

He emerged on the basketball scene with the Kansas Jayhawks, making the Final Four twice in his four-year career. A floor general and sharpshooter from behind the arc, Hinrich was selected seventh overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.

He was known as “Captain Kirk” to many around the league, an ode to being voted team captain in four of the 11 seasons he was a member of the Bulls. He was named an All-Rookie in 2003-04, averaging 12.0 points, 6.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game his first year in the league.

Hinrich’s fifth season (2007-08) in the NBA was a career-setting one for him as he posted a single-game career-highs in points (38) and assists (14) in two separate outings. He nearly posted a triple-double in his 38-point performance, dishing out 11 assists and snagging 7 rebounds in a 108-95 win over the Indiana Pacers back on Jan. 23, 2008.

He put up a triple-double in his 14-assist outing, which was one of three 14-assist games he produced in the year. With 15 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds, Hinrich put up the second triple-double of his career in a 101-96 victory over the Knicks on Dec. 14, 2007.

Hinrich wasn’t an All-Star during his career but he was an impact player nonetheless. As it stands, he ranks first in Bulls’ history in 3-pointers made (1,049), third in assists (3,811) and third in steals (857).