Current NBA Players from the State of New York (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 27 players originating from the state of New York.
NBA Players from New York
Below is a list of all 27 players on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometowns and the respective teams they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Toppin | Brooklyn | New York | New York Knicks |
| Thomas Bryant | Rochester | New York | Miami Heat |
| Jonathan Isaac | The Bronx | New York | Orlando Magic |
| Jalen Pickett | Rochester | New York | Denver Nuggets |
| Kyle Anderson | New York City | New York | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Moses Brown | New York City | New York | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Lester Quinones | Brentwood | New York | Golden State Warriors |
| Terance Mann | Brooklyn | New York | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Kevin Huerter | Albany | New York | Sacramento Kings |
| Nate Williams | Sag Harbor | New York | Houston Rockets |
| Jose Alvarado | Brooklyn | New York | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Matt Ryan | White Plains | New York | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Julian Champagnie | Staten Island | New York | San Antonio Spurs |
| Nathan Knight | Syracuse | New York | Boston Celtics |
| Mo Bamba | New York City | New York | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Tobias Harris | Islip | New York | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Markquis Nowell | New York City | New York | Toronto Raptors |
| Andre Drummond | Mount Vernon | New York | Chicago Bulls |
| Ty Jerome | New York City | New York | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Donovan Mitchell | Elmsford | New York | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Jared Rhoden | Baldwin | New York | Detroit Pistons |
| Isaiah Stewart | Rochester | New York | Detroit Pistons |
| Obi Toppin | Brooklyn | New York | Indiana Pacers |
| Jordan Nwora | Buffalo | New York | Indiana Pacers |
| Andre Jackson Jr. | Amsterdam | New York | Milwaukee Bucks |
| James Bouknight | Brooklyn | New York | Charlotte Hornets |
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | New York City | New York | San Antonio Spurs |
Player Bios
Here is a little more background info on a few of the standout players from the state of New York:
Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond was born in Mount Vernon, New York, a city known for its rich cultural diversity and basketball heritage.
Drummond attended Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut, and later transferred to St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Connecticut, where he became one of the top high school basketball recruits in the nation. His high school career was marked by his dominant physical presence and rebounding prowess.
Drummond played college basketball at the University of Connecticut, quickly establishing himself as a force in the paint. His journey from Mount Vernon to becoming a prominent NBA center highlights his evolution as a powerful rebounder and defensive anchor.
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell was born in Elmsford, New York, a suburb of New York City known for its close-knit community. Mitchell attended Canterbury School in Connecticut and later Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, where he developed into a high-caliber basketball player.
Known for his athleticism and scoring ability, his high school career set the stage for his success at the University of Louisville, where he excelled as a guard.
Mitchell’s path to the NBA, where he has become known for his explosive scoring and dynamic play, reflects his hard work, dedication, and the influence of the competitive basketball environment of the New York area.
Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris was born in Islip, New York, on Long Island, a region known for its strong sports programs and community support. Harris attended Half Hollow Hills West High School in Dix Hills, New York, and later transferred to The Knox School in Saint James, New York.
He was a highly touted recruit, known for his versatile scoring ability and basketball IQ. Harris played college basketball at the University of Tennessee, where he continued to showcase his skills as a forward.
His journey from Long Island to the NBA highlights his development as a versatile and efficient scorer, embodying the work ethic and determination typical of athletes from the New York area.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town New York 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 York instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of New York 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 York 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.
