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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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Marvin Barnes
(Photo by Frank O’Brien/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Best NBA player born in Rhode Island: Marvin Barnes

Rhode Island is another state that’s produced just 10 NBA players officially. The best and most impactful was power forward Marvin Barnes, who hailed from Providence.

Barnes began his basketball career at Providence College at the same token, averaging 20.7 points and 17.9 rebounds on 51.5 percent shooting from the field across his three seasons of eligibility.

Originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1976 dispersal draft, Barnes wasn’t as impactful in the NBA as he was in the ABA with the Spirits of St. Louis. He was the 1974-75 ABA Rookie of the Year, producing 24.0 points, 15.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest his first season in. His second season, he averaged another double-double with 24.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

In his first season with the Pistons, he averaged 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 1976-77. After 12 games in 1977-78, he was traded to the Buffalo Braves during the season.

Things improved a bit in Buffalo, as he averaged 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals through 48 appearances but he was traded once again in 1978 to the Boston Celtics.

With Boston, his production dropped again and he was waived by the team in February 1979. He had one more stint with the San Diego Clippers but that didn’t go too well, either. Barnes averaged 3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 20 appearances with the Clippers in 197-80, his final season in the league.