Current NBA Players from the State of Mississippi (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 1 player originating from the state of Mississippi.
NBA Players from Mississippi
Below is a “list” of the lone player on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometown and the respective team they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Eubanks | Starkville | Mississippi | Phoenix Suns |
Player Bios
Here is a little more background on Drew Eubanks:
Drew Eubanks
Sometimes putting together these hometown guides can be tough and that holds true for Drew Eubanks. That’s because he was born in Starkville, Mississippi, but moved to Oregon at the age of 2. He grew up in Troutdale, Oregon, a scenic city nestled near the Sandy River and known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Eubanks attended Reynolds High School in Troutdale, where he emerged as a standout basketball player. His high school career was marked by significant achievements, including being named a three-star recruit and one of the top players in Oregon.
Eubanks chose to play college basketball at Oregon State University, where he quickly established himself as a key player. His time at Oregon State was highlighted by impressive defensive skills and his ability to score both inside and outside the paint.
So, whether he’s “from” Oregon or Mississippi only he could really say because where you’re from is as much feeling as it is geographic. Maybe it’s both.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town Mississippi 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 Mississippi instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.
