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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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Orlando Magic
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

Best NBA player born in Maine: Jeff Turner

Forward Jeff Turner is one of two NBA players born in the state of Maine. He was born in Bangor, the capital of the state in 1962. He got his start in the game at Vanderbilt, where he emerged as a solid contributor by his senior year.

In his senior season, he put up 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a starter, both career-highs. His production was enough to get him noticed at the next level. In the 1984 NBA Draft, he was taken as the seventh overall pick by the New Jersey Nets.

After being drafted, Turner was selected to the 1984 U.S. National team prior to his rookie season in the league. He played alongside Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin in a reserve role as the team would go on to win the Gold Medal.

He spent three seasons (1984-87) with the Nets, averaging 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game before deciding to play overseas in 1987. From 1987-89, he enjoyed a pro tour in Italy before deciding to return to the NBA and join the Orlando Magic.

His role with the Magic was a bit more memorable from 1989-96. Turner was a solid reserve for Orlando, averaging 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 19.9 minutes off the bench. They made a run to the NBA Finals during the 1995 playoffs but were swept in the end by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets.

Since retiring in 1996, Turner has been an in-game analyst on Orlando’s FOX Sports affiliate since 2013.  He worked on the team’s radio color analyst from 1996-2005.