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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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Phil Jackson
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images /

Best NBA player born in Montana: Phil Jackson

Montana has had a total of 10 players born in the state to make a name for themselves in the NBA. One of the most notable players has quite the resume as both a player and head coach. Born in Deer Lodge, Phil Jackson got his start at the University of North Dakota. His production was enough to get him drafted 17th overall in the 1967 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

He was selected as an All-Rookie his first year in, averaging 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds but a back injury slowed his development a bit. By the 1972-73 season, he was back and healthy again as the Knicks won the NBA title. Alongside Willis Reed, Walt Frazier and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Jackson was a solid contributor off the bench, averaging 8.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest that year.

While he was a solid player, Jackson will be known the most for leading 11 teams to NBA titles as a head coach. Jackson was a pioneer of the Triangle Offense when he coached the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. In Chicago, he led the team to six NBA titles. In Los Angeles, he led the team to five NBA titles.

As a head coach, Jackson accumulated 1,640 wins while coaching the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. His footprint remains in the coaching ranks as one of the best to coach in the NBA and it’s well-documented in his book, “Eleven Rings”. Jackson was inducted in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.