Current NBA Players from the State of Arkansas (2023-2024)
Basketball players, and indeed competitors across all athletic fields, carry a badge of honor for their birthplaces. It could be their home state, the neighborhood they grew up in, or the area code they associate with; there’s always a noticeable desire to represent one’s beginnings.
The same holds true for the fan base. There’s an added thrill in supporting a player who shares your state lines or even the same local stomping grounds, especially when that athlete plays for the team you root for above all others.
Bearing this in mind, we scoured through NBA.com to extract the home states or, in some instances, the home countries of every player listed on the active rosters of each team.
Our findings included 9 players originating from the state of Arkansas.
NBA Players from Arkansas
Below is a list of all 9 players on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometowns and the respective teams they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Portis | Little Rock | Arkansas | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Nick Smith Jr. | Jacksonville | Arkansas | Charlotte Hornets |
| Daniel Gafford | El Dorado | Arkansas | Washington Wizards |
| Mike Conley | Fayetteville | Arkansas | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Jaylin Williams | Fort Smith | Arkansas | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Isaiah Joe | Fort Smith | Arkansas | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Moses Moody | Little Rock | Arkansas | Golden State Warriors |
| Austin Reaves | Newark | Arkansas | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Malik Monk | Jonesboro | Arkansas | Sacramento Kings |
Player Bios
Here is a little more background info on a few of the players from the state of Arkansas.
Bobby Portis
Bobby Portis was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, a city known for its rich history and vibrant community. Portis attended Hall High School in Little Rock, where he emerged as a dominant basketball player, earning Arkansas Mr. Basketball honors twice.
His high school career was characterized by his intensity and scoring ability. Portis chose to stay in-state for college, playing for the University of Arkansas, where he was named SEC Player of the Year.
His path from Little Rock to the NBA highlights his development as a tenacious and skilled power forward, known for his energy, rebounding, and scoring touch.
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves was born in Newark, Arkansas, a small town known for its close community ties. He attended Cedar Ridge High School in Newark, where he developed into a prolific scorer and versatile player.
Despite being lightly recruited, Reaves began his college career at Wichita State University before transferring to the University of Oklahoma. At Oklahoma, Reaves became a standout player, known for his scoring ability, toughness, and clutch performances.
His path from a small Arkansas town to playing in the NBA underscores his perseverance, skill development, and ability to adapt and excel at higher levels of competition.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town Arkansas to the gleaming hardwood of NBA arenas, these players carry with them a piece of their home state, a testament to the talent and determination that Arkansas instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of Arkansas continues to shine on the national stage. To the fans back home, these players are more than just athletes; they are local heroes, each with a story that resonates with the dreams of young ballers across the state.
As the season unfolds, we will watch their stories develop further, cheering for not only the skills they display but also the communities they represent. The spirit of Arkansas basketball is alive and well in the NBA, and perhaps, in the cheers of the crowd, the players can hear a little bit of home calling back to them.
