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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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Best NBA player born in Louisiana: Bill Russell

Forward Bill Russell is considered one of the greatest players in NBA history and he hails from Monroe, Louisiana. Russell made quite the name for himself in the league as a 6-foot-10 beast in the frontcourt.

He attended the University of San Francisco in college, leading the Dons to back-to-back NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956. After college, he was selected second overall in the 1956 NBA Draft by the St. Louis Hawks. The Hawks traded him to the Boston Celtics on draft night.

Russell led the league in rebounds four times and rebounds per game five times during his tenure with the Celtics. In 1963-64, he produced a career-high 24.7 rebounds per contest, ranking as the fourth-best average of all-time behind Wilt Chamberlain.

As a member of the Celtics, Russell made 12 All-Star appearances, won 11 NBA titles and five MVP awards. He’s won the most individual titles as a player, winning in 11 of 12 NBA Finals appearances he made.

Russell won eight NBA titles in a row from 1958-66, showing that with Russell, they had created quite the dynasty in Boston. He won all eight titles alongside some familiar Celtics’ names: K.C. Jones and Sam Jones.

He racked up 14,522 points, which ranks eighth in franchise history and 21,620 rebounds, first in franchise history under head coach Red Auerbach. His legacy has lived on through the Celtics franchise as he’s currently an honorary presenter of the NBA Finals MVP award during the playoffs.

In 1972, his No. 6 jersey was retired by the Boston Celtics and in 1975, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.