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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Apr 3, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oscar Robertson at the USBWA Oscar Robertson Player of the Year press conference before the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 3, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oscar Robertson at the USBWA Oscar Robertson Player of the Year press conference before the 2015 NCAA Men /

Tennessee – Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson is known by an entire (young) generation of NBA fans as a crotchety older gentleman who believes the new era of the league isn’t as good as the one that he played in. While that opinion looks to be false, there is no question that Robertson is one of the best players to ever don an NBA uniform.

To put his contributions in perspective against those who also hailed from Tennessee, Robertson is the all-time leader in both scoring and assists from the state. Even beyond that? He’s second in rebounding.

That brings to mind that Robertson famously averaged a triple-double over a full season, but his career marks of 25.7 points, 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game are arguably more impressive. Robertson finished a 14-year campaign with 26,710 points, 9,887 assists and 7,804 rebounds, and he is one of the top 15 players ever, to be conservative.

As for the rest of Tennessee, players like Bailey Howell, Penny Hardaway, Johnny Newman and J.J. Redick should garner mention. Let’s just say that none of those players approach the “Big O” in a historical context.

Next: Texas

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