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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 New Mexico: Bill Bridges

Seven players born in the state of New Mexico have found themselves in the NBA. One current player from the state is  Oklahoma City Thunder wing Andre Roberson, who is in his fifth season in the league.

6-foot-6 power forward Bill Bridges is the most notable player to produce at will in the league. He spent 13 seasons in the NBA, mostly as a member of the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks. Bridges got his start in the league after being drafted 32nd overall by the Chicago Packers in the 1961 NBA Draft. He was traded by the Packers to St. Louis the following offseason.

Bridges was a rebounding machine during his time in the NBA. He averaged a double-double during his career, 11.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game to be exact, with some of the more exciting teams in Hawks’ history.

He is one of four players to record at least 35 rebounds in a playoff game. In the Hawks’ 113-104 Game 2 victory over the Knicks back on March 27, 1971, Bridges snagged a playoff-best 36 rebounds to go along with 12 points.

After playing for the Hawks from 1962-72, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. After a season with the Sixers, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent 1972-74 before being waived.

He joined the Golden State Warriors in March 1975 during a key run to the playoffs. As a result, he won the lone NBA title of his career as a reserve. Following the season, Bridges retired from the NBA.