Picking the best NBA player from each state
By Brad Rowland
Texas – Grant Hill
This is a very, very difficult decision. In order to put that choice into context, here is a selection of NBA talent that has a claim to Texas via birth:
- Grant Hill
- Chris Bosh
- Ricky Pierce
- LaMarcus Aldridge
- Bill Sharman
- Zelmo Beaty
- Mookie Blaylock
- Larry Johnson
- Spud Webb
- David Wesley
- Michael Ray Richardson
- Stephen Jackson
- Jimmy Butler
Obviously, there are even more NBA players in consideration, but that is one hefty list. Bosh is the leading scorer from the state (17,189 career points), Beaty is the leading rebounder (9,665) and Blaylock is the leading assist artist. However, Grant Hill is the only player to rank in the top five of all three major statistical categories, and his peak was so high that he wins the nomination.
The now-retired member of the Atlanta Hawks front office was once arguably one of the best players in the NBA. Hill’s career wasn’t cut short by injury, but he was greatly limited by ankle issues that zapped his famous upside. Before that, though, Hill began his career by averaging 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game over his first six seasons, a stretch that included five All-NBA inclusions and five All-Star nods.
Sadly, Hill’s health ultimately betrayed him, although he was able to generate a second act as a quality role player. It is entirely fair to argue that Bosh’s career has been superior, and I wouldn’t issue fault with that. Outside of Bosh (who is wildly underrated in his own right), though, Hill is clearly superior to the other candidates at the stage, even if we are all left to wonder what may have been if health wasn’t an issue.
Next: Utah