Revealing Top 10 Cities that Produced the Most NBA Players Per 100k

EDIT (Nov. 25, 2024)
So, this article quickly blew up, with even getting quotes from one of the biggest Croatian news portals – Jutarnji.hr.
With this came some additional input from fans, particularly regarding the population of Split. I should clarify that I based these figures on metropolitan area data. For Split, Wikipedia lists the population as 346,314 inhabitants.

The most impressive piece of information came from Reddit user Beard06, who highlighted the city of Saginaw, MI. With a metro population of 190,000, Saginaw has impressively produced 9 NBA players, placing it at the top of this list.

A huge THANK YOU goes to everyone, who wrote me and allowed me to improve this list.

When preparing my article about Kaunas, it became clear that with 8 NBA players, it should be between Top 10 Cities that Produced the Most NBA Players Per 100k. So, with the help of Basketball Reference, Stadium Talk, AI and the good ol’ MS Excel I went into research mode and came up with a list of 70+ cities that have produced the most NBA players per 100k.

Looking at the number of players per 100k people seemed like an interesting way to approach this topic. For example, while New York’s 257 NBA players is impressive, it puts things into perspective when you consider that New York has a population twice as large as the entire countries that three of the European cities on this list come from. That really changes the context. Btw, New York is #17 on the list.

Let’s dive into the TOP 10, followed by some honorable mentions. It’s important to note that I focused on cities that have produced at least 4 NBA players, as this seemed like a reasonable threshold.

Also, if you think your city is being overlooked and shines in other sports, let me know!

Top 10 Cities that Produced the Most NBA Players Per 100k

11. Indianapolis (USA)

Note: Former 10th place before the introduction of Saginaw, MI.

Notable players: Eric Gordon, Gordon Hayward, George Hill.

The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, famously referred to Indiana as “the center of the sport,” a testament to the state’s deep-rooted passion for basketball. As the capital city, Indianapolis has long been at the heart of this basketball culture, serving as a hub for the sport at all levels, from grassroots to professional. Its strong basketball tradition is reflected in the city’s ranking among the top 10 cities globally for producing the most NBA players.

Indianapolis has produced a number of notable NBA players who have made significant contributions to the league, including Gordon Hayward, a versatile forward and NBA All-Star; Eric Gordon, a skilled scorer and former Sixth Man of the Year; and George Hill, a reliable guard known for his steady play and leadership on and off the court. These players exemplify the city’s proud basketball legacy and its enduring impact on the sport.

10. Chicago (USA)

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

Chicago is undoubtedly one of the premier basketball cities in the world, largely due to the legendary Chicago Bulls’ dominance in the 80s and 90s. Even today, the Bulls remain one of the most popular teams globally, with a rich history that includes six NBA championships.

Chicago ranks #2 in NBA players produced, so the fact that it also appears on the list of most NBA players per 100k people is even more impressive. This highlights the city’s deep basketball roots and the incredible talent it continues to produce.

Personally, I’m thrilled to see Chicago-Lithuanian Matas Buzelis in a Bulls uniform this season, adding another layer to both the city’s basketball legacy and the Chicago-Lithuanian legacy. With more than 100,000 Lithuanians living in Chicago, the city is considered one of the largest Lithuanian communities outside of Lithuania.

9. Milwaukee (USA)

Notable players: Tyler Herro, Latrell Sprewell, Kevon Looney, Jordan Poole.

When looking at notable players from Milwaukee, we certainly have some colorful characters. Latrell Sprewell, though a great player, is infamous for choking his head coach during a practice with the Golden State Warriors.

Speaking of the Warriors, Kevon Looney has won 3 NBA titles with them, and Jordan Poole, who won 1, is also known for his unforgettable personality.

Tyler Herro is another player who stands out—not only for his talent but also for his unique character in the NBA.

And here’s an interesting fact: legendary Warriors player Šarūnas Marčiulionis (from Kaunas, by the way) suffered his career-ending injury while trying to drive past none other than… Latrell Sprewell. It’s all connected. 🤪

8. Philadelphia (USA)

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

Though Philadelphia may have the quantity, the quality is certainly there as well. All of the players mentioned above are NBA champions, and two of them rank in the top 10 of the NBA’s all-time leading scorers (by the way, with MJ, Carmelo, and Kareem, New York has 3).

Philadelphia has played an important role in U.S. history and has been home to some of the most influential basketball players, not just born there, but also wearing the 76ers jersey. Along with sports icon and one of the GOATs of basketball, Wilt Chamberlain, we have the legendary Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, Hal Greer, Darryl Dawkins, and of course, the player who made the 76ers my favorite NBA team of all time—Allen Iverson.

It’s a great basketball and sports city, and it’s awesome to see it on the list.

7. Kaunas (Lithuania)

Notable players: Arvydas Sabonis, Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, Linas Kleiza.

If you want to learn more about Kaunas basketball history, I have a full article.

Here’s the quick summary: Kaunas was a major basketball powerhouse in the 80s, and most of the NBA players from Kaunas are a product of the 60s-80s. However, since the 90s, with Lithuania breaking free from the Soviet basketball system, emigration, and other factors, Kaunas and Lithuania haven’t been able to consistently produce solid NBA players.

Players like Domantas Sabonis and Matas Buzelis, while having strong ties to Kaunas, are products of Spanish and American basketball systems. Similarly, Ignas Brazdeikis, born in Kaunas but raised in Canada, highlights the shift. You could say the talent is in the DNA, but the production has slowed in recent years.

6. New Orleans (USA)

Notable players: Clyde Drexler, De’Aaron Fox, Robert Pack.

The city of jazz has given us some legendary players and makes its way into our top 5 for most NBA players per 100k. Clyde Drexler leads the charge as a 10-time All-Star, member of the 1992 Dream Team, 1995 NBA champion, and, of course, a Blazers legend.

Then there’s Robert Pack, who wrapped up his career with Žalgiris Kaunas. This guy almost won the 1994 NBA Dunk Contest, making him a true one-of-a-kind player.

And let’s not forget De’Aaron Fox, one of the most exciting players in the game right now. He’s lighting it up for the Sacramento Kings and, alongside Domantas Sabonis, creates one of the most underrated duos in the NBA, who deserves much more hype.

Oh, and fun fact—back in the early 2000s, Drexler was offered a chance to play for Žalgiris, where he could’ve teamed up with Sabonis… so yeah, it’s all connected!

5. Split (Croatia)

Notable players: Toni Kukoč, Dino Rađa, Žan Tabak.

Split is in a nearly identical situation to Kaunas. Its best players emerged in the 80s and 90s, and Split’s Jugoplastika was a powerhouse in European basketball.

Unfortunately, Jugoplastika is now part of history, while Žalgiris, despite facing many challenges in the early 2000s, managed to survive and has been on the rise in recent years.

But beyond basketball, Split is truly one of the most athletic cities in the world. In addition to legendary basketball players, the city has produced outstanding tennis players, weightlifters, rowers, and handball players. In the 2024 Olympics, Split had 4 medalists, including Barbara Matic, who won gold in judo.

I really hope to make a video about Split one day to understand the phenomenon behind their success.

4. Louisville (USA)

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

Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, holds the unique distinction of having the most NBA players without an NBA team in its metro area. While it once had an ABA team, Louisville is more renowned for its college basketball legacy than its professional hoops history.

That said, the city has produced some fantastic players, including NBA champions Wes Unseld and Rajon Rondo. Additionally, Allan Houston, a former teammate of Latrell Sprewell, was part of the last truly great New York Knicks team.

3. Memphis (USA)

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

Memphis is home to one of the biggest “what-ifs” in NBA history—Penny Hardaway—and also to one of the flashiest, most memorable players in Lou Williams, who just recently retired after leaving a legendary mark as a 3× NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

Right now, Memphis is all about Ja Morant, the face of the Grizzlies. While he definitely has all the traits of a hypegenic player, his personal issues are sadly getting in the way of him becoming the face of the league, which would be huge for the city.

And let’s not forget, Memphis also played a key role in one of the biggest jersey crimes in NBA history when the team relocated from Vancouver. The Vancouver Grizzlies’ logo and uniforms? Fucking legendary. It’s a shame they had to go.

2. Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Notable players:  Zoran Planinić, Bojan Bogdanović, Mirza Teletović, and Ivica Zubac

This is surely, one of the biggest surprises of them all – Mostar. Before all this, I had only heard of Mostar from my mother-in-law, who told me it was one of the hottest places she’d ever visited, but also one of the most beautiful. That was pretty much the extent of my knowledge.

So, I was completely shocked when I learned that this small city has produced four NBA players, all of whom were respected figures in European basketball.

This phenomenon is still largely unexplored, but now thanks to me, we can learn on Mostar’s Wikipedia page that the city ranks at the top for most NBA players produced per 100k.

Mostar’s basketball scene has produced players who’ve made an impact internationally, proving that even smaller cities can leave a big mark on global sports. The development of talent like this is a true testament to the city’s passion for the game and the remarkable players it’s capable of producing.

1. Saginaw (USA) – Edit Nov. 25, 2024

Notable players:  Kenyon Martin, Darvin Ham, Draymond Green, Jason Richardson.

Thanks to Reddit user Beard06, we’ve uncovered something remarkable about a small Michigan city called Saginaw. This unassuming city, with a metro area population of just 119,000, has produced an incredible 9 NBA players — and not just any players.

The list includes Darvin Ham, former Lakers head coach; the electrifying Kenyon Martin, a true human highlight reel (who, by the way, played alongside Kaunas native Linas Kleiza on the Nuggets); two-time NBA Dunk Contest champion and former star Jason Richardson (another human highlight reel); and four-time NBA champion and All-Star Draymond Green.

This is an extraordinarily impressive pedigree for such a small city, and it certainly warrants a deeper dive into how Saginaw became such a hotbed for basketball talent.

Honorable Mentions of Cities with Most NBA players per 100k

Here are some of the cities that I think deserve mentioning:

• 17. New York. The most NBA players produced by an NBA city, with all time legends like Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Mullin, etc.
• 35. Ljubljana (Slovenia). Home of Luka Dončič, with 5 NBA players, this city of just over 500k inhabitants is definitely an important city in European basketball. Ljubljana produced 0.909 player per 100k.
• 37. Los Angeles. One of only four cities that have produced more than 100 NBA players and was not mentioned on this list. Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Klay Thompson are amongst the top players that came from LA.
• 40. Kingston (Jamaica). Has produced five players, and on top of the list we have an NBA legend Patrick Ewing.
• 51. Belgrade (Serbia). The ultimate basketball powerhouse in Europe has produced 11 NBA players, with Bogdan Bogdanovic being on the top of their list of best players.
• 62. Melbourne (Australia). An impressive resume of 14 players including Chicago Bulls legend Luc Longley, a possible future hall-of-famer Kyrie Irving, Josh Giddey, Ben Simmons and many others.

CITATION
Bakanauskas, P. (2024, November 22). Revealing Top 10 Cities that Produced the Most NBA Players Per 100k. Play of Values. https://playofvalues.com/top-10-cities-that-produced-the-most-nba-players-per-100k/

IN-TEXT CITATION: (Bakanauskas, 2024)