Cities That Produced the Most NBA Players

Some cities are hotbeds for NBA talent, and these cities are well represented in the league.

Cities That Produced the Most NBA Players

Have you ever watched an NBA game and wondered where a player came from? Not in the sense of what college or high school he went to, but going back to the very beginning to where he was born? Well, we’ve done the legwork to find that information with the 32 cities that have produced the most NBA players. These cities have produced approximately one-third of all players in NBA history!

These 32 cities are spread out throughout the country, and Ohio is the state most represented with four cities. While the most populous cities in the nation obviously have the best odds of landing here, that’s not always the case. For example, Phoenix is the fifth-most populous U.S. city but had just nine players, which is nowhere near the cutoff point of 18 players. So, without further ado, here are the 30 cities that have sent the most players to the NBA.

30. Cincinnati, Ohio (Tie)

Number of players: 18

Notable players: LaSalle Thompson, Tyrone Hill, Matt Harpring

Number of active players: 0

Note: All birthplaces are sourced from basketball-reference.com.

Bottom Line: Cincinnati

LaSalle Thompson fights for ball with others

The first of four Ohio cities was pumping out players left and right from the 1970s through the 2000s. But that well has dried up, as only three players over the last decade have entered the NBA from Cincinnati, and the city has no active ones.

Perhaps the National Basketball Association saw the writing on the wall before anyone else did. After all, Cincinnati used to have an NBA team — the Royals — that relocated in the 1970s to Kansas City. It was once a hotbed for top prospects but has lost numerous athletes over the years to its neighbor in Louisville, Kentucky.

Words to Remember: Cincinnati

Tyrone Hill defends against Larry Johnson

"It hurts. You play this game for a reason: to get to the playoffs, and give yourself a chance to win a championship. If you're out of the playoffs, you can't win a championship." —Matt Harpring

30. Gary, Indiana (Tie)

Number of players: 18

Notable players: Dick Barnett, Glenn Robinson, Glenn Robinson III

Number of active players: 2

Bottom Line: Gary

Best known as the birthplace of Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, Gary is also the hometown of the Robinson Two. That would be former No. 1 overall pick, Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson, and his son, Glen Robinson III.

The elder Robinson was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball while attending Gary Roosevelt High School before going off to Purdue. But the Robinsons aren’t the only father-son NBA duo to hail from Gary, as Winston and Darius Garland did the same.

Words to Remember: Gary

Dick Barnett dribbles against Dick van Arsdale

"Our best play was to give it to Glenn [Robinson] and get the hell out of his way." —Former Purdue guard Todd Foster, in the Journal & Courier of Lafayette, Indiana, on playing with Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson

30. Jackson, Mississippi (Tie)

Number of players: 18

Notable players: Mo Williams, Erick Dampier, Monta Ellis

Number of active players: 0

Bottom Line: Jackson

The pride of Jackson, Monta Ellis was a national co-player of the year in high school alongside Greg Oden. Ellis rewrote the Lanier High School record books, as he finished second in Mississippi high school history in both points (4,167) and points per game (28.7).

Speaking of points per game, Ellis averaged 17.8 PPG during his 12-year NBA career, which came as he jumped from Lanier High to the pros. Ellis’ scoring average is the third-highest in NBA history for any player to never have made an All-Star team, excluding active players.

Words to Remember: Jackson

Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier drives past Yao Ming

"A man lets you know who he is by how he treats others." —Mo Williams

29. Nashville, Tennessee

Number of players: 19

Notable players: Clyde Lee, James Wiseman, Ron Mercer

Number of active players: 2

Bottom Line: Nashville

Clyde Lee dribbling against Scott Wedman

When people think of basketball in Tennessee, Memphis is usually the first city that comes to mind. But the Music City has pumped out many players over the years, including 2020 No. 2 overall pick, James Wiseman, and Ron Mercer, who was an All-American in college.

Mercer was named Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball in both his sophomore and junior years and likely would have three-peated had he not transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. While many wanted him to return to the state of Tennessee for college, he instead opted to head to the Bluegrass State where he won a national championship at Kentucky.

Words to Remember: Nashville

"We met because of basketball when we were kids. Now, 30 years later, thankful for our friendship! Blessed to call @rmercer33 my brother!" —Drew Maddux, on Twitter in 2016, about growing up in Nashville with Ron Mercer. They were teammates at Goodpasture Christian before Mercer transferred to Oak Hill Academy.

28. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Number of players: 20

Notable players: Kris Humphries, Devean George, Alan Anderson

Number of active players: 1

Bottom Line: Minneapolis

There are 61 people from the state of Minnesota that have made the NBA, and Minneapolis has produced basically one-third of those Minnesotans. By comparison, Minneapolis’ twin city of St. Paul has sent just six players to the NBA.

Many people forget that Minneapolis used to not only house an NBA team but an NBA dynasty. Before the Lakers moved to Los Angeles, they were the Minneapolis Lakers and won five NBA titles in a six-year stretch. Their star player, George Mikan, had two sons that would be drafted into the NBA, but one was born in St. Paul, and the other was born in a Minneapolis suburb.

Words to Remember: Minneapolis

Alan Anderson and Petar Bozic run after a dropped ball

"My mentality is just play hard and see where things fall. Yeah, I know I have to put in work this year, or I won't have a job next year." —Devean George

27. Portland, Oregon

Number of players: 21

Notable players: A.C. Green, Domantas Sabonis, Damon Stoudamire, Jerami Grant

Number of active players: 6

Bottom Line: Portland

When you look at the Portlanders who have made it to the NBA, you’ll notice a recurring theme. Many of them are second-generation NBA players whose fathers played with the Portland Trail Blazers. Domantas Sabonis (son of Arvydas), Jerami Grant (son of Harvey), Cole Anthony (son of Greg) and Ronnie Brewer (son of Ron) are all offspring of former Blazers.

Speaking of offspring, one Portland-born player who infamously didn’t have any was A.C. Green. The NBA’s Iron Man was known for being a virgin throughout his 16-year career, but Green did get married once he retired.

Words to Remember: Portland

"I love going on the road. When you go on the road and beat a good team that's a good feeling. You have to be a cocky bunch of guys because it's not easy. You have to always feel like it's you against the world. That's how you win. I told these guys that at the beginning of the year." —Damon Stoudamire

24. Columbus, Ohio (Tie)

Number of players: 22

Notable players: Michael Redd, Brian Grant, Gary Trent Jr., Herb Williams

Number of active players: 3

Bottom Line: Columbus

Columbus is a football town and the home of Ohio State University, but it’s also produced several basketball stars who have gone on to star at rival Michigan. Among those are Trey Burke and Caris LeVert, who teamed together to make the National Championship Game with the Wolverines in 2013.

But the best amateur player from Columbus has to be Gary Trent Sr. who attended Hamilton Township High School. Trent shot 81.4 percent in his senior season, which was a national high school record. Trent would go on to dominate at Ohio University where he earned the nickname “Shaq of the MAC.”

Word to Remember: Columbus

Portland Trail Blazers guard Gary Trent Jr. shoots against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert

"We don't keep score, we don't call fouls. That age, it's just teaching them the game. If they do something wrong, we correct it." —Herb Williams

24. Dayton, Ohio (Tie)

Colorful Cityscape Sunset in Dayton Ohio

Number of players: 22

Notable players: Ron Harper, Kerry Kittles, Johnny Green, John Paxson

Number of active players: 0

Bottom Line: Dayton

Chicago Bulls John Paxson reaches high to battle Phoenix Suns Charles Barkley for rebound

From the 1970s thru the 1990s, Dayton was pumping them out left and right with such players as Paxson, Harper and Kittles. But since then, it seems Ohio cities like Cincinnati and Columbus — both of which are only about an hour's drive away — have leapfrogged Dayton in terms of NBA talent.

The last player from the city to play in the NBA was Adreian Payne who last suited up in 2017. Conversely, the first Dayton-born player was Monk Meineke who debuted in 1952 and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year in the 1952-53 season.

Words to Remember: Dayton

Boston Celtics Jim Barnes lands on top of teammate Larry Siegfried, and Cincinnati Royals Bill Turner and Johnny Green

"That's instinct, you catch and you shoot. I've done it hundreds of thousands of times in my driveway. It's what I've practiced." —John Paxson

24. Newark, New Jersey (Tie)

Number of players: 22

Notable players: Shaquille O’Neal, Bam Adebayo, Kenneth Faried, Al Attles

Number of active players: 1

Bottom Line: Newark

Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille ONeal elbows Eric Montross

Shaq credits the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Newark for starting his basketball career in the 1980s. But since Shaq was a part of a military family, he didn’t stay in the city long and attended high school elsewhere.

Someone who did become a Newark legend in high school was Eric Williams who starred at Malcolm X Shabazz. Williams was so highly thought of that he was given the nickname “The Prince of Newark” and got a tattoo of that on his back. Williams’ pro career didn’t quite pan out, but he achieved a level of fame after his playing days through his appearances on VH1’s Basketball Wives.

Words to Remember: Newark

Kenneth Faried drives to the basket for a dunk

"I never worry about the problem. I worry about the solution." —Shaquille O'Neal

23. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Number of players: 23

Notable players: Jack Twyman, Maurice Stokes, Maurice Lucas

Number of active players: 1

Bottom Line: Pittsburgh

Maurice Stokes leaps to grab rebound from John Kerr

One of the greatest stories of friendship comes from Pittsburgh, where Maurice Stokes and Jack Twyman grew up and went to rival high schools. They then became teammates on the Royals for three seasons until Stokes fell, struck his head on the court and suffered from brain damage. He became permanently paralyzed, but his teammate and friend, Twyman, would become his caretaker and legal guardian.

The bond was so strong between the two that, in 2013, the NBA announced the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award, which recognizes the ideal teammate in the league each season.

Words to Remember: Pittsburgh

Cincinnati Royals basketball player Jack Twyman poses

"As an opponent, he was really nasty. You couldn't run by him through the lane without getting whacked in the ribs or in the head. He'd tag you and then stare you down, like 'what are you gonna do about it?' ... When I became his teammate I questioned how that was going to work out. What I found out is that he was the best teammate because of that stuff. If someone did something dirty to you he'd say, 'Bring him over here and we'll straighten him out, not maliciously, just a jolt to let the guy know payback was a b****.'" —Former NBA player Dave Twardzik on Maurice Lucas

22. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Number of players: 24

Notable players: Bob Pettit, Don Chaney, Glen Davis

Number of active players: 4

Bottom Line: Baton Rouge

Bob Pettit leaps to make one handed shot

With Louisiana State University (LSU) being in the heart of Baton Rouge, it comes as no surprise that 11 of the 24 NBA players from the city matriculated from LSU. The most famous of those was Bob Pettit who was arguably the best player in NBA history until Wilt and Russell came along.

But Pettit’s basketball journey didn’t start off on a great note, as he was cut from Baton Rouge High School’s varsity team as both a freshman and sophomore. A conveniently timed, 5-inch growth spurt changed his fortunes as a junior, and he would lead his high school to a state title before later winning a championship in the NBA.

Words to Remember: Baton Rouge

"When you go out on the court whether it be for the championship or just a scrimmage, have confidence that your abilities and what you've learned in your drills are better than your opponent's. This does not mean you should disregard your opponent. Before taking the court for any game, you should do a lot of thinking about what you have to do to beat your opponent and what he must or can do to beat you." —Bob Pettit

19. Oakland, California (Tie)

Number of players: 25

Notable players: Gary Payton, Paul Pierce, Damian Lillard

Number of active players: 3

Bottom Line: Oakland

Damian Lillard scoring against the Utah Jazz

It’s tough to have a better top three notable players than what Oakland possesses with three players on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

They also have ties to a fourth as Hall of Famer Rick Barry wasn’t born there, but played in the city in both the ABA and NBA. Barry had three sons who went on to play in the NBA, but only two were born in Oakland — Jon and Drew. The other – Brent – happened to be born during Rick’s two-year stint in New York with the ABA. However, despite being born on different coasts, all three Barrys would attend the same high school in a suburb of Oakland.

Words to Remember: Oakland

Washington Wizards guard Gary Payton II in action

"My oldest brother and my middle brother would always beat me up and take the ball from me. I used to cry a lot, so I used to come in here and get my dad. He used to be on my team, so he used to hold them down and let me score the basket." —Gary Payton

19. San Francisco, California (Tie)

Number of players: 25

Notable players: Jason Kidd, Phil Smith, Fred Scolari

Number of active players: 0

Bottom Line: San Francisco

Oakland’s sister city of San Francisco has produced the exact same number of players, although the San Fran pipeline has all but dried up. Only two San Franciscans have played in the NBA over the last 20 years, one of which is Jason Kidd.

Eleven of the 25 NBA players from the city, or 44 percent, played in the early days of the league in the 1940s and 1950s. But shifting demographics in the Bay Area and residents relocating to cities like Oakland and San Jose has, in part, led to the drastic decline in NBA players coming from the Golden Gate City.

Words to Remember: San Francisco

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Phil Smith drives by Washington Bullets Phil Chenier

"When I was a little kid I used to play with guys twice my age, so, I was the last one picked. So if I was picked, I knew that I had to get the ball to the scorer if I wanted to stay on the court, so that was pretty much my job." —Jason Kidd

19. Birmingham, Alabama (Tie)

Number of players: 25

Notable players: Andrew Toney, Eric Bledsoe, Larry Kenon

Number of active players: 1

Bottom Line: Birmingham

Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe goes to basket

Birmingham was one of the major industrial cities in the South until the 1960s, and players born during that decade and the preceding one make up many of the city’s NBA players. Twelve of the 25 Birmingham players competed in the 1980s, such as “The Boston Strangler” Andrew Toney and “Special K” Larry Kenon.

As other cities in the South gained more prominence after the '60s, such as Atlanta, Birmingham fell off with NBA prospects. Only five have competed in the league since 2000, including Eric Bledsoe.

Words to Remember: Birmingham

San Antonio Spurs forward Larry Kenon reaches to pick ball away from Houston Rockets

"I feared Andrew Toney even more than Michael Jordan." —Former Boston Celtics guard Danny Ainge on playing against Andrew Toney, who was nicknamed "The Boston Strangler"

"The best player I ever played with is Andrew Toney." —Charles Barkley

16. Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Tie)

Number of players: 28

Notable players: Tyler Herro, Terry Porter, Fred Brown, Latrell Sprewell

Number of active players: 3

Bottom Line: Milwaukee

In 1969, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was drafted by the Bucks, and in 1971, the team won its first NBA championship. But in between those events, Milwaukee welcomed Latrell Fontaine Sprewell into this world in 1970, and he would become one of the most infamous players in NBA history.

While Sprewell was a four-time All-Star, he is best known for choking his head coach during practice while with the Golden State Warriors. That earned him a 68-game suspension and lifetime shame.

Sprewell would then add to his lore in 2004 when he turned down a $21 million contract from the Timberwolves, saying the contract amount was a disgrace and that he had “a family to feed.”

Words to Remember Milwaukee

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Terry Porter

"I had never dreamed about the NBA like some guys did. I was a non-scholarship player at an NAIA college. I played on the Boys and Girls Club team in my freshman and sophomore years of high school before I made the high school team. I was our backup center in college. ... During my senior year, there were NBA scouts at my games. At some point, I guess, I started hoping I'd get drafted by a team where there would be a great situation for me. As it turned out, Portland was the best situation for me." —Terry Porter

16. Seattle, Washington (Tie)

Number of players: 28

Notable players: Jason Terry, Brandon Roy, Jamal Crawford, Dejounte Murray

Number of active players: 5

Bottom Line: Seattle

San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray shoots

The Emerald City is fairly new to the scene of being a hotspot for NBA players. Two-thirds of its players competed in the league since the turn of the millennium, including Gary Payton II who was obviously born in the city while his father was playing for the SuperSonics.

Speaking of the SuperSonics, they left Seattle in 2008, and research has shown that cities with active NBA teams tend to produce more future NBA players than cities without teams. An example is Toronto, which has seen 13 of its 15 NBA players join the league since the Raptors came into existence.

Thus, it will be interesting to see if the reverse effect happens to Seattle where fewer natives go onto the league since it lost its pro team. We’ll have to check back around 2030 or so to see if that’s the case.

Words to Remember: Seattle

Jamal Crawford shoots during the first half

"I was born to play basketball. There's no question about it. That's it. And I'm saying this in my humblest opinion, I do feel that I was born to play this game. I breathe it, I live it." —Jamal Crawford

16. Cleveland, Ohio (Tie)

Number of players: 28

Notable players: Charles Oakley, Tom Boerwinkle, Ruben Patterson, James Posey

Number of active players: 1

Bottom Line: Cleveland

Charles Oakley gets tied up with Horace Grant

The last of the four Ohio cities, Cleveland’s NBA players did a great job of personifying the city itself. “The Land” is a prototypical tough Midwestern city, and "tough" would be the first word many would use to describe Oakley. He’s First-Team All-Tough, while Patterson and Posey could also be described as gritty and grimy players.

In case you’re wondering if the greatest Cavalier of them all is from Cleveland, no, LeBron James is not. He is from northeastern Ohio but was born in Akron, which is in the Cleveland metropolitan area but is not actually in the city of Cleveland.

Words to Remember: Cleveland

Boston Celtics forward James Posey battles Detroit Pistons

"Potential is like a summer crop. If it don't rain, it don't grow." —Charles Oakley

"You can't shut somebody up by losing." —Charles Oakley

"I just tried to go out there and play with attitude, doing what I was supposed to do and knowing my role on the team. Doing what my team expected me to do every night, not just once a week. It was all about work and I was just a tough guy who would knock somebody down." —Charles Oakley

15. New Orleans, Louisiana

Number of players: 29

Notable players: Clyde Drexler, De’Aaron Fox, Avery Johnson

Number of active players: 4

Bottom Line: New Orleans

You’ll notice a recurring theme amongst many NBA players born in New Orleans. They often end up relocating to Houston for one reason or another and attend high school there.

Clyde Drexler did it in the 1970s, but later players like Fox, Kelly Oubre Jr. and D.J. Augustin relocated for a specific reason. They were all in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, only to then leave the city after their homes were decimated. But their birth certificates still have New Orleans as their hometown, and the city will gladly claim them as its own.

Words to Remember: New Orleans

"My favorite player growing up was Julius Erving, because I loved the way he played above the rim, all of the tricks with the ball, big hands, and just phenomenal showmanship." —Clyde Drexler

14. St. Louis, Missouri

Number of players: 32

Notable players: Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, Jo Jo White

Number of active players: 7

Bottom Line: St. Louis

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum runs into Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker

One of three American cities to have hosted a Summer Olympics, St. Louis used to have an NBA team, too. The Hawks played there until relocating to Atlanta in 1968, and there was a downturn in basketball players produced by the city afterwards.

Just three St. Louisans played in the NBA during the entire 1980s, but things have been on the rise since then. Players like David Lee and Larry Hughes came along in the late 1990s to early 2000s, and now the league boasts two superstar St. Louisans in Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum. Those two along with Lee all attended the same high school in Chaminade College Prep, albeit at different times.

Words to Remember: St. Louis

Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal wheels past Tristan Thompson

"I always strived to be the best. I tried out for the high school JV team, and got cut. So what did I do? I went out for the varsity team. And made it." —Jo Jo White during his Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement speech in 2015

13. Indianapolis, Indiana

Number of players: 33

Notable players: Gordon Hayward, Louie Dampier, George Hill, Dick Van Arsdale

Number of active players: 7

Bottom Line: Indianapolis

Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant

The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, called Indiana “the center of the sport.” Therefore, Indianapolis must be the epicenter of the sport with how passionate the entire city is about basketball. There’s a reason why the NCAA is headquartered in the city and that Indianapolis has hosted eight Final Fours.

But what Indianapolis lacks is a major college basketball program. It has Butler University and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, which have produced Hayward and Hill, respectively. But most of the top prospects from the city go elsewhere in the state such as Purdue, Notre Dame or Indiana University.

Words to Remember: Indianapolis

"I'm a firm believer in quiet confidence. By that I mean knowing inwardly that you are good, and not exhibiting a boastful attitude outwardly. If an athlete doesn't believe in himself, no one else will." —Dick Van Arsdale

12. Louisville, Kentucky

Number of players: 34

Notable players: Wes Unseld, Rajon Rondo, D’Angelo Russell, Allen Houston

Number of active players: 6

Bottom Line: Louisville

Wes Unseld battles rebound with Ray Williams

The largest city in Kentucky, Louisville has the distinction of being the city with the most NBA players but no NBA team in its metro area. It once had an ABA team, but Louisville is known more for its college basketball than pro hoops ties.

Nonetheless, several All-Stars have come from Louisville, including all of the aforementioned notables. But a surprisingly large number of players with brief careers also hailed from The ‘Ville, as two-thirds of the 34 Louisvillians played two or fewer seasons in the NBA.

Words to Remember: Louisville

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo looks up court alongside Chauncey Billups

"I didn't do anything very pretty. My contributions were in the intangibles. But they were the type of things that help lead a team. ... It's not my job to look good. It's my job to make other people look good." —Wes Unseld

11. Memphis, Tennessee

Number of players: 39

Notable players: Penny Hardaway, Lou Williams, Bingo Smith, Lorenzen Wright

Number of active players: 4

Bottom Line: Memphis

Lorenzo Wrig Lorenzen Wright battles for ball with Tim Duncanht

If Jerry Lawler is the King of Memphis Wrestling, then Penny Hardaway is the King of Memphis Basketball. Born and bred in the city, Hardaway was the National High School Player of the Year at Treadwell High School before becoming an All-American at Memphis State.

Once his NBA career came to an end, Hardaway returned to his city and coached high school basketball. The success accomplished there led him to coach at the University of Memphis where he won the NIT Championship in 2021.

Words to Remember: Memphis

"Honestly, I was a troublemaker. The environment I grew up in, my mom and my sister, they decided they were going to sign me up in every single thing to keep me busy. I played football, basketball, baseball. Anything, whatever was in season, I was signed up for it. Basketball was one of the things that just stuck." —Lou Williams

10. Houston, Texas

Number of players: 42

Notable players: Jimmy Butler, DeAndre Jordan, Stephen Jackson, Gerald Green

Number of active players: 11

Bottom Line: Houston

H-Town may be the fastest riser on this list with 85 percent of its NBA players debuting in the 1980s or later. Nearly 75 percent played since the turn of the millennium, as Houston could easily be in the top five of this list in about a decade or so.

As a result of not having that many older players, Houston has sent no players to the Hall of Fame — yet. But that could change once Jimmy Butler hangs up the sneakers. The four-time All-NBA selection has been one of the best two-way players over the last decade.

Words to Remember: Houston

Indiana Pacers forward Stephen Jackson goes up for dunk

"My whole life, people have doubted me. My mom did. People told me in high school I'm too short and not fast enough to play basketball. They didn't know my story. Because if they did, they'd know that anything is possible." —Jimmy Butler

9. Baltimore, Maryland

Number of players: 43

Notable players: Rudy Gay, Reggie Lewis, Muggy Bogues, Sam Cassell

Number of active players: 5

Bottom Line: Baltimore

Boston Celtics guard Reggie Lewis goes up high with one-handed jump shot

The Charm City has a stranglehold over top prospects in Maryland, as nearly 60 percent of all Marylanders in the NBA are from Baltimore. And you can’t talk about Baltimore basketball without talking about Dunbar High School, which had a staggering four future NBA players on its team at one time in the 1980s.

All four — Lewis, Bogues, David Wingate and Reggie Williams — were Baltimore natives, and they combined to play 45 NBA seasons. Another Dunbar grad, Cassell, came along a few years later and played 15 years in the NBA.

Words to Remember: Baltimore

Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay dunks the ball

"I understood my path and what I meant to the game and what I mean to kids. Not only kids, but individuals around the world. Folks that didn't think that the game was meant for smaller people. For me, I always felt that, tall or small, the game was for all." —Muggsy Bogues

8. Dallas, Texas

Number of players: 45

Notable players: Grant Hill, Chris Bosh, LaMarcus Aldridge, Julius Randle

Number of active players: 7

Bottom Line: Dallas

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle attempts layup

While North Texas, and all of Texas for that matter, loves its football, it’s also been a hotbed for basketball. An indoor sport like basketball is conducive for those scorching summers, and lots of Dallas natives have enjoyed lengthy NBA careers.

Nearly 30 percent of the NBA players that Dallas has produced have played at least 10 years in the NBA. That includes 18-year veteran Grant Hill, who was the city’s first Hall of Famer in 2018. Bosh joined him three years later and Aldridge is sure to become the third Dallasite to head to Springfield, Massachussetts.

Words to Remember: Dallas

Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh reacts after sinking a shot

"Parents, they're strict on you when you're little, and you don't understand why. But as you get older, you understand and you appreciate it." —Grant Hill

7. Atlanta, Georgia

Number of players: 46

Notable players: Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Dwight Howard, World B. Free, Gerald Wilkins

Number of active players: 10

Bottom Line: Atlanta

New York Knicks guard Walt Frazier handles the ball

One of the ATL’s notable players, Gerald Wilkins, is the younger brother of the greatest Atlanta Hawk of all time, Dominique Wilkins. However, Nique wasn’t born in Atlanta, in Georgia or even in the United States. He was born in Paris, France, while his father was stationed there with the Air Force before settling in North Carolina.

But an ATLien through and through is Clyde Frazier. Even though he’s associated with New York, due to his stint as a player and broadcaster for the team, he was born and raised in the city. Frazier graduated from Howard High School, which also boasts an alum by the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Words to Remember: Atlanta

Dwight Howard scores over Phoenix Suns Kurt Thomas

"The star player must slay his ego and learn teamwork and communication skills before he can achieve the ultimate in sport." —Walt Frazier

"When a player keeps a calm demeanor on the court, it's easier for his ability to shine. The best response to an opposing player's physical or psychological tactics is to keep cool and come right back at him with the force of your game, not your fists. Revenge is always sweeter if your team wins the game." —Walt Frazier

"The regular season is where you make your name, but the postseason is where you make your fame." —Walt Frazier

6. Detroit, Michigan

Number of players: 68

Notable players: George Gervin, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Dave DeBusschere

Number of active players: 2

Bottom Line: Detroit

The Motor City’s calling card is quantity more so than quality, as its list of NBA players is quite top-heavy. Gervin, Webber and DeBusschere are three of the just four NBA All-Stars that the city has produced, with B.J. Armstrong being the other.

But many Detroiters have also carved out successful post-playing careers in a variety of areas. Webber and Rose went into broadcasting, as did Donny Marshall. Armstrong became an agent and represents Derrick Rose. And Howard Eisley became a coach, as did DeBusschere who eventually moved into the Knicks’ front office and drafted Patrick Ewing in 1985.

Words to Remember: Detroit

New York Knicks forward Dave DeBusschere defends

"Nobody had to tell me that I could play. I wasn’t caught up in somebody saying, 'You’re this' or 'you’re that.' You look at my work, you look at my stats. I know a couple of years I was the most efficient player in the league. I shot 51 percent in my career, getting 26,000-something points (26,595). Most of them guys that’s up there in that same category, they shot 30 times to get 30 points. I prepared myself to be able to try to handle whatever defense was thrown at me. I think that made a difference for me in my career. I worked at my craft. I just loved the game. So that gives you confidence and builds up your self-esteem. Then mentally, it makes you ready for whatever comes at you." —George Gervin on he became the first San Antonio Spur elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996

5. Washington, D.C.

Number of players: 74

Notable players: Kevin Durant, Elgin Baylor, Adrian Dantley, Dave Bing, Austin Carr

Number of active players: 5

Bottom Line: Washington, D.C.

Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant passes ball away from New York Knicks' RJ Barret

If you’re in need of buckets, then you call on D.C. with its deep roster of prolific scorers. Both Durant and Baylor are among the top five in NBA history in points per game, while Dantley won two scoring titles in the 1980s. Bing averaged over 20 PPG during his career, and Carr’s 61 points are the most ever in an NCAA Tournament game. Even the latest D.C. native to join the league — Luka Garza — led the NCAA in scoring during the 2020-21 season.

Another notable from Washington, D.C., is John Thompson, the legendary former coach at Georgetown. Thompson played just two seasons in the NBA, but both ended with him winning championships during the Celtics’ dynasty in the 1960s.

Words to Remember: Washington, D.C.

Elgin Baylor blocks shot by Bailey Howell

"Not only do I admire [Michael] Jordan's accomplishments and his phenomenal basketball ability, but also the way he has conducted himself on and off the court. I don't think there will ever be another player to have the same impact on the game of basketball as Michael Jordan." —Elgin Baylor

4. Los Angeles, California

Number of players: 112

Notable players: Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Klay Thompson, Gail Goodrich, Kevin Willis

Number of active players: 14

Bottom Line: Los Angeles

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson in action

Los Angeles is hurt by the fact that this list only takes into account the actual cities where players were born and not adjacent areas. Thus, “Greater Los Angeles” or the “Los Angeles Metro,” which encompasses cities like Compton, Long Beach and Inglewood, are excluded. If Greater Los Angeles was included, then Los Angeles would top this list, but it has to settle for fourth place.

Despite the list of great active players, L.A. has produced just one NBA Hall of Famer, and that’s Gail Goodrich who later played for UCLA and the Lakers. But that list will surely grow in the coming years, with natives such as Leonard, Harden and Thompson.

Words to Remember: Los Angeles

"I tried to swim as much as possible. Being in Southern California in the summertime, it's so nice because you have the warm beaches, so I try to swim every day." —Klay Thompson

"Not missing games, miss one game due to injury in my career, and that even hurt me to miss that game, but I just love to get out there and compete, both ends of the ball, and I don't think I'm afraid to take the big shot. If I'm 2-for-15, I'm not afraid to take that shot, make it 3-for-16." —Klay Thompson

"I know to win a championship, you're not going to do it alone. You're going to have to have a great supporting cast." —Klay Thompson

3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Number of players: 120

Notable players: Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Earl Monroe, Rasheed Wallace, Kyle Lowry

Number of active players: 8

Bottom Line: Philadelphia

The City of Brotherly Love has produced six Hall of Famers, but two are a cut above: Kobe and Wilt. They had differing paths after being born in Philadelphia, as Bryant moved overseas as a kid before returning to a Philadelphia suburb for high school.

Meanwhile, Chamberlain stayed in Philly, where he dominated prep hoops at Overbrook High School. He set the national high school scoring record and had a three-game stretch where he scored 74, 78 and 90 points. Chamberlain also led Overbrook to two city championships and became the most recruited basketball player of all time before choosing the University of Kansas.

Words to Remember: Philadelphia

Wilt Chamberlain shoots in NBA playoff game

"It’s the one thing you can control. You are responsible for how people remember you — or don’t. So don’t take it lightly." —Kobe Bryant on his legacy and reputation

2. Chicago, Illinois

Downtown Chicago Skyscraper Cityscape along Chicago River

Number of players: 152

Notable players: Dwyane Wade, Anthony Davis, Isiah Thomas, Derrick Rose, Maurice Cheeks

Number of active players: 11

Bottom Line: Chicago

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade prepares to pass

Some cities have peaks and valleys when it comes to the number of players they produce. That isn’t the case with Chicago, which has sent at least 10 players to the NBA every decade since the 1940s.

But the high point came during the 1980s when an astounding 27 players joined the league during that decade, or nearly three per year. Many of them weren’t just “guys” who joined the league, as they had substantial impacts. Some of these players include Thomas, Tim Hardaway, Mark Aguirre, Doc Rivers and Nick Anderson.

Words to Remember: Chicago

Anthony Davis shoots next to Klay Thompson

"You've got one job, and that is to get better." —Derrick Rose

1. New York, New York

Number of players: 257

Notable players: Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Carmelo Anthony, Bernard King, Chris Mullin

Number of active players: 12

Bottom Line: New York

It's no surprise that the most populous city in the United States has produced the most NBA players. What may be a surprise, though, is which of the five boroughs produced the most players. Below is a breakdown of how many players came from each of the boroughs:

Brooklyn: 103
Manhattan: 103
Bronx: 29
Queens: 20
Staten Island: 2

Brooklyn and Manhattan would tie for fifth place on this list if they were their own cities. So, whenever about an NBA player being from New York City, there’s an 80 percent chance they hail from one of those two boroughs.

Words to Remember: New York

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony drives against Brook Lopez

"I think that the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice." —Kareem Abdul-Jabbar