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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Mar 13, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Sam Cassell helps warm up the Clippers before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Sam Cassell helps warm up the Clippers before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Maryland – Sam Cassell

When compiling this list, I was actually taken aback by how little NBA talent has come from Maryland. That isn’t to disparage legitimate professional standouts like Rudy Gay, Steve Francis, Dennis Scott, Reggie Lewis (who may have taken the top spot if not for early tragedy), or Danny Ferry. But tracking down a legitimate superstar was difficult for a state as prominent as the this one.

Fortunately, one of my favorite players ever strung together the best profile of any player born in Maryland, and that athlete is Sam Cassell.

Cassell is probably best known for his celebration following big shots (an instant classic), as well as his steadfast veteran know-how later in his career. However, the talented guard also doubles as the leading all-time scorer (15,635 points) and assist maker (5,939) in Maryland history, and Cassell’s upside was obscenely high in his younger days.

Over a seven-year sample from 1997 to 2004, Cassell averaged 19.2 points and 7.4 assists per game with a stellar PER of 21.5 — all this on the heels of being an integral part of two NBA Championship squads with the Houston Rockets. It might be fair to suggest that Cassell was never a superstar, but he was certainly on the “star” level in his prime before morphing into a late-game killer in his twilight years, and Cassell also holds the honor of being one of the best mid-range shooters to play in the NBA.

This wasn’t the easiest choice on the board, but it wasn’t a difficult one, either. Sam Cassell was awesome.

Next: Massachusetts

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