Fansided

Best NCAA basketball players ever from every state

By Trevor Sinodhinos

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 23: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers attempts a free throw against the Florida State Seminoles in the second half during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 23, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 23: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers attempts a free throw against the Florida State Seminoles in the second half during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 23, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

West Virginia: Jerry West

Might as well just call the state ‘Jerry West Virginia’ at least in terms of basketball. With 28 NBA players being born in West Virginia, the state provides us with perhaps the most eclectic group. There are players who were great in college and went on to be great in the NBA, to guys who were decent in both and then some guys who did much better in the NBA than the NCAA.

It is difficult to dedicate too much time to explore alternatives to Jerry West for best West Virginia native. Rod Hudley was a two-time All-American while playing at West Virginia, with averages of 24.8 points and 11 rebounds. That is less than half a point and two rebounds short of West, although Hundley’s field goal percentage was just 35 percent.

Mark Workman, never made any All-American team or won a conference award, but his 21 point average over 70 games and the one year his rebounds were calculated he ripped down 17.5 per game while playing as a 6-foot-9 center at West Virginia.

The conversation should not extend pass Mr. Clutch, who is the logo of the NBA, Jerry West. If his two All-American selections are not enough, he averaged almost 25 points a game, over his 98 games played with 13 rebounds and three assists. His tournament averages were five points and a rebound higher between 1957 and 1960 while playing for West Virginia. Those numbers earned him a selection to an All-Tournament team and the 1959 NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. The only thing missing from West’s collection is the Player of the Year award, but Oscar Robertson has those.