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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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images /

Best NBA player born in Wyoming: James Johnson

Wyoming is the last stop on our best player from each state journey. Wyoming is one of nine states that boasts single digits in the number of players produced from the state. The best player is a current star in the league: Forward James Johnson.

Johnson flew under the radar in the college hoops scene, averaging 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per contest for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 2007-09. He did enough to get noticed by NBA scouts, going 16th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft to the Chicago Bulls.

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He’s had a bit of a journeyman career since joining the Bulls. He played for the Toronto Raptors from 2010-12, the Kings during the 2012-13 season, the Memphis Grizzlies in 2013-14 and the Raptors again from 2014-16.

Johnson’s recent stop in Miami, though, has changed things a bit. He’s found his way since joining the Heat in 2016 and remains a key player on the roster in 2018-19. Johnson has put up a career-best 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a member of the Miami Heat. He’s also shot a career-best 32.7 percent from behind the arc with the Heat.

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He recently returned to the Heat rotation on Nov. 18 after dealing with the lingering effects of sports hernia surgery. As he looks to get back in shape, he’ll have the added motivation of being the state’s best player, for now.