Top 10 NBA Players Born in Louisiana

Louisiana is often over looked when you think of great basketball states. Louisiana has been home to some of the greatest NBA players of all time including Elvin Hayes, Willis Reed, Bob Pettit, and Clyde Drexler. Here is a list of the top 10 NBA players that were born in Louisiana. The top 10 is based on stats and career longevity.

1. Bob Pettit- Pettit gets the number one spot after being a dominant played in the NBA. Pettit was born in Baton Rouge and is in the NBA Hall of Fame. Pettit played 11 seasons in the NBA from 1955-1965. Pettit finished his career with averages of 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

2. Elvin Hayes- Hayes played 16 seasons in the NBA from 1969-1984. Hayes was born in Rayville and also averaged a double-double for his career. Hayes finished his NBA career with averages of 21 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Hayes is also in the NBA Hall of Fame.

3. Willis Reed- Reed is another great from the state of Louisiana. Reed played 10 seasons in the NBA from 1965-1974. Reed is from Hico and finished his career with averages of 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds. Reed is another member of the NBA Hall of Fame.

4. Clyde Drexler- Drexler played 15 seasons in the NBA from 1984-1998. Drexler was born in New Orleans and has career averages of 20.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Drexler is the last one on this list that has made the NBA Hall of Fame.

5. Karl Malone- Malone is surely on his way to the Hall of Fame after his excellent 19 seasons in the NBA from 1986-2004. Malone never won a championship but finished his career with great numbers. Malone had career averages of 25 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

6. Marques Johnson- Johnson played 13 seasons in the NBA from 1978-1990. Johnson is a native of Nachitoches and has career averages of 20.1 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

7. Antawn Jamison- Jamison has been a star since leaving North Carolina and joining the NBA. Jamison began his NBA career in 1999 and is from Shreveport Louisiana. Jamison has career averages of 19.7 points and 8 rebounds per game.

8. Bob Love- Love played 11 seasons in the NBA from 1967-1977. Love is from Bastrop and has career averages of 17.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

9. Calvin Natt- Natt played 11 NBA seasons from 1980-1990 and is from Monroe Louisiana. Natt has career averages of 17.2 points and 6.8 rebounds which are solid averages that land him the 9^th spot.

10. Rashard Lewis- Lewis went to the NBA directly out of high school and has played 11 seasons in the NBA. Lewis began his NBA career in 1999 and is from Pineville. Lewis has a salary of a star but has fallen in the shadow and has career averages of 16.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.