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 /
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Sep 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA: General aerial view of the downtown Phoenix skyline and the Talking Stick Resort Arena. The facility serves as the home of the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) and Arizona Rattlers (AFL). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA: General aerial view of the downtown Phoenix skyline and the Talking Stick Resort Arena. The facility serves as the home of the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) and Arizona Rattlers (AFL). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas – Alvan Adams

For as much as Kansas bleeds basketball history, the state has not exactly been a hotbed for producing NBA stars born within the Sunflower State’s borders. The Kansas Jayhawks utterly own the state’s basketball attention and, although the Kansas State Wildcats have caused occasional basketball fever of their own. Still, it’s been decades since an NBA team has called Kansas home. For that and many other reasons, the state’s list of basketball products has a decidedly strange apex in Alvan Adams.

Before we get to Adams, it isn’t as if the state is completely void of talent. Scott Wedman, Lucius Allen, Larry Drew, Lionel Hollins, and Earl Watson were all functional NBA rotation players at one point, and there’s certainly a case to be made for some of them. Still, Adams leads the way in terms of both career minutes and career points, which is plenty of justification for his inclusion.

The 6-foot-9 big man played 13 seasons in the league, averaging 14.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. His peak came early with a Rookie of the Year award and an All-Star appearance during the 1975-1976 season.

History will not remember Alvan Adams as anything approaching an NBA star, but does own the title of the best to ever come from Kansas. At least for now.

Next: Kentucky

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