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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 Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images /

Best NBA player born in West Virginia: Jerry West

Jerry West is responsible for putting West Virginia hoops on the map and then some. The silhouette in the NBA logo is an ode to Jerry West, an early pioneer of the combo guard position.

He began his career at West Virginia University from 1957-60, winning the Southern Conference Player of the Year award in 1959 and 1960. Despite losing 71-70 in the 1959 NCAA Tournament National Final, West was still awarded the Most Outstanding Player of the Year award, scoring 28 points and snagging 11 rebounds in the defeat.

In the 1960 NBA Draft, he was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he built his legacy as one of the best to play the game. He appeared in the All-Star game in all 14 seasons during his career and took home the NBA Finals MVP award during their title run in 1969.

In his lone NBA championship win, West led a frontcourt of Gail Goodrich and Wilt Chamberlain to an NBA title in the 1969 NBA Playoffs. West produced 19.8 points, 8.8 assists and 4.0 assists in their 4-1 series victory over the New York Knicks.

Through 14 seasons, he averaged 27.0 points, 6.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game in a Lakers jersey. In 1980, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and in November 1983, his No. 44 jersey was retired by the Lakers.