When you think of sports in the state of Texas you usually think about outstanding football players and basketball is just an afterthought. You would be surprised to know that there have been a number of great basketball players that have came out of the state of Texas and went on to star in the NBA. Here is a list of the top 10 players that have been born in Texas and went on to star in the NBA.
10. Ricky Pierce- Pierce, who was born in Dallas was a 17 year veteran in the NBA before retiring in 1998. Pierce is the only one that made the top 10 to not average at least 15 points a game. Pierce was close though as he finished off his NBA career with averages of 14.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
9. Stephen Jackson- Jackson was born in Houston and began his career in 2001. Jackson may be most famous for the fight that took place between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons but has had a strong NBA career. Jackson has career averages of 15.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
8. Willie Naulls- Naulls was born in Dallas and played in the NBA from 1957-1966. Naulls had career averages of 15.8 points and 9.1 rebounds before hanging up his sneakers.
7. Joe Caldwell- Caldwell played 11 seasons in the NBA from 1965-1975 and was solid. Caldwell finished his career with averages of 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Caldwell was born in Texas City, Texas.
6. Mack Calvin- Calvin had a 12 year career in the NBA from 1970-1981 and came from Fort Worth. Calvin had career averages of 16.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
5. Larry Johnson- Johnson played 10 NBA seasons from 1992-2001 and was born in Tyler. Johnson, who was famous for holding his arms in the form of an L after 3-pointers, had career averages of 16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
4. Zelmo Beaty- Beaty played 13 seasons in the NBA from 1963-1975 and was from Hillister. Beaty averaged a double-double for his career with averages of 17.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
3. Bill Sharman- Sharman was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame and is number 3 on the list. Sharman played in the NBA from 1951-1961 and posted career averages of 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Sharman was from Abilene Texas.
2. Grant Hill- Hill has had a long NBA career and has been an iron man after coming back from numerous injuries to still have an impressive NBA career. Hill has played in the NBA since 1995 and has career averages of 18.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. Hill joins Naulls and Pierce as another native of Dallas.
1. Chris Bosh- Bosh is an extremely athletic player that was a standout in Texas as a high school player. Bosh began his career in 2004 and is making a run at the Hall of Fame based on his impressive career numbers that keep blossoming. Bosh has career averages of 19.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game and is also from Dallas.
