Fansided

Picking the best NBA player from each state

ByBrad 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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LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 4: Latrell Sprewell #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks with referee Jim Clark #6 during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 4, 2004 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 4: Latrell Sprewell #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks with referee Jim Clark #6 during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 4, 2004 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Wisconsin – Latrell Sprewell

Let’s get this out of the way: Latrell Sprewell is best known for choking his own coach.

I know this is true. It’s just best to say it.

Now, Sprewell was also a tremendous NBA basketball player, and that is what we are talking about in this space. The 13-year NBA veteran concluded his run in the league with a scoring average of 18.3 points per game, and that happens to be the highest number put forth by anyone born in Wisconsin. Furthermore, Sprewell is also the career leader in scoring (16,712 points) and the swingman averaged more than 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game over 900-plus games in the association.

Sprewell was named to four NBA All-Star games and was a first (!) team All-NBA inclusion in 1993-1994 while finishing 11th in MVP voting. In short, he was a star-level player in both Golden State and New York, and even Sprewell’s time in Minnesota was highly productive. There were other contenders for this honor, highlighted by Terry Porter (a 17-year NBA stalwart), Fred Brown and Nick Van Exel, but Sprewell gets the nod based on longevity and productivity.

We must remember that Latrell Sprewell was very, very good at basketball, even between his legendary quotes and off-court issues.

Next: Wyoming

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