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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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Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images /

Best NBA player born in Kansas: Alvan Adams

Larry Drew, Lionel Hollins and Earl Watson are only a few former players born in Kansas to star in the NBA and they’ve also made names for themselves on the coaching circuit as well. Big man Alvan Adams is one player that rings a bell, though, when it comes to Kansas basketball.

Adams was a cornerstone of the Phoenix Suns franchise, appearing in the postseason in nine of the 13 seasons he played with them. At 6-foot-9, he became a star at the University of Oklahoma prior to the league, earning the Big 8 Player of the Year award in his final season as a Sooner. He averaged 23.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in 1974-75.

He was drafted by the Suns as the fourth overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft. He won the Rookie of the Year award in his first season and made the only All-Star appearance of his career during the 1975-76 season. Adams put up 19.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.

He had a knack for playmaking as much as he did for scoring the basketball during his career with the Suns. On Feb. 22, 1977, Adams put up a triple-double with 47 points, 18 rebounds and 12 assists. He is one of five players in the history of the NBA to record at least 46 points and 16 rebounds in a triple-double.

He never did match his rookie scoring average again but he did produce 14.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game during his time in Phoenix.

Adams ranks first in franchise history in rebounds (6,937) and steals (1,289), second in points (13,910), third in assists (4,012) and fourth in blocks (808). His No. 33 jersey was retired by the Suns in 1988 and is currently the Vice President for Facility Management with the organization.