Current NBA Players from the State of New Jersey (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 12 players originating from the state of New Jersey.
NBA Players from New Jersey
Below is a list of all 12 players on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometowns and the respective teams they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dariq Whitehead | Newark | New Jersey | Brooklyn Nets |
| Jalen Brunson | New Brunswick | New Jersey | New York Knicks |
| Ron Harper Jr. | Paterson | New Jersey | Toronto Raptors |
| Isaiah Wong | Piscataway | New Jersey | Indiana Pacers |
| Seth Lundy | Paulsboro | New Jersey | Atlanta Hawks |
| Bam Adebayo | Newark | New Jersey | Miami Heat |
| Naz Reid | Asbury Park | New Jersey | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Edison | New Jersey | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Justin Minaya | Harrington Park | New Jersey | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | Plainfield | New Jersey | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Naji Marshall | Atlantic City | New Jersey | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Dominick Barlow | Hackensack | New Jersey | San Antonio Spurs |
Player Bios
Here is a little more background info on a few of the standout players from New Jersey:
Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo, born in Newark, New Jersey, grew up in a city known for its rich cultural diversity and sports heritage. Adebayo moved to North Carolina in his youth, where he attended High Point Christian Academy in High Point.
His high school career showcased his athletic prowess and dominance in the paint, making him one of the top recruits in the nation. Adebayo played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he was recognized for his rebounding, defensive skills, and powerful presence inside.
His transition from Newark and North Carolina to the NBA highlights his evolution as a versatile big man, known for his athleticism, defensive capabilities, and impact on both ends of the court.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns was born in Piscataway, New Jersey, a town with a strong community and sports culture. Towns attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, where he became a highly-touted basketball prospect, known for his size, skill, and versatility.
His high school career was marked by state championships and numerous individual honors. Towns played one season of college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he quickly established himself as a top player.
His journey from Piscataway to becoming a first overall pick in the NBA Draft and a standout player in the league underscores his development as a skilled big man with the ability to impact the game both inside and outside the paint.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town New Jersey 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 New Jersey instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.
