Fansided

Picking the best NBA player from each state

By Brad Rowland

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the American Flag being displayed prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the American Flag being displayed prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 51
Next
Mar 13, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kirk Hinrich (12) brings the ball up the court against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 104-75. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kirk Hinrich (12) brings the ball up the court against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 104-75. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa – Kirk Hinrich

Wait, what?

Kirk Hinrich is the best player to emerge from a state with 20 NBA players? How is this possible?

Well, for one thing, Kirk Hinrich is wildly underrated. The former Kansas guard holds career NBA averages of 10.9 points and 4.8 assists per game, but some of that is held up by some “down” years in his twilight years. Hinrich’s peak ( from 2003 to 2010) saw the 6-foot-4 combo guard tally 13.4 points and 5.8 assists per game, and when combined with above-average defense at his peak, made him a bona fide quality starter in the NBA.

Furthermore, Hinrich leads the list of Iowa-born players in career scoring by nearly 4,000 points, and is easily the career leader with more than 4,000 assists over 13 seasons. Hinrich’s chief competition comes from fellow Kansas Jayhawk Raef LaFrentz and current NBA forward Harrison Barnes, but LaFrentz’s impact was too short-lived and Barnes hasn’t quite entered the stratosphere that would make him a real contender in his mid-20’s.

Kirk Hinrich was never a star, but he did more than enough to carry the flag for Hawkeye State

Next: Kansas

Home/NBA