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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 Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images /

Best NBA player born in Missouri: Jo Jo White

The state of Missouri has already produced some of the top names in the NBA, depending on who you ask. Bradley Beal will go down as one of the best 3-point shooters in the game. Bill Bradley is another famous Hall of Famer born in the “Show Me State”.

The best player, though, is another Boston Celtics’ star and this time it’s point guard Jo Jo White. White was one of the premier point guards in the league and gave teams fits with his ability on the hardwood.

He was taken ninth overall in the 1969 NBA Draft by the Celtics. The 6-foot-3 point guard set the tone for the Celtics with his playmaking and scoring ability during his tenure. He made seven-straight All-Star appearances with Boston from 1971-77 as their floor general.

He was an All-Rookie selection during the 1969-70 season, producing 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

During their run to the 1976 NBA Finals, White took home the Finals MVP award, averaging 21.7 points, 5.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest against Alvan Adams and the Phoenix Suns. In his first title run with Boston, White led the team in assists per game (7.0) during the 1974 NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.

White went down in Celtics lore when his career came to an end in 1981. By then, he also appeared on the Kansas City Kings and Golden State Warriors roster. His No. 10 jersey was retired by the Celtics in 1982 and he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.