Current NBA Players from the State of North Carolina (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 26 players originating from the state of North Carolina.
NBA Players from North Carolina
Below is a list of all 26 players on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometowns and the respective teams they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Smith Jr. | Fayetteville | North Carolina | Brooklyn Nets |
| Harry Giles III | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | Brooklyn Nets |
| Day’Ron Sharpe | Greenville | North Carolina | Brooklyn Nets |
| Jaden Springer | Charlotte | North Carolina | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Terquavion Smith | Greenville | North Carolina | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Coby White | Goldsboro | North Carolina | Chicago Bulls |
| Patrick Williams | Charlotte | North Carolina | Chicago Bulls |
| Saddiq Bey | Charlotte | North Carolina | Atlanta Hawks |
| Cody Martin | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | Charlotte Hornets |
| Leaky Black | Concord | North Carolina | Charlotte Hornets |
| Ish Smith | Charlotte | North Carolina | Charlotte Hornets |
| Caleb Martin | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | Miami Heat |
| Anthony Gill | High Point | North Carolina | Washington Wizards |
| Hunter Tyson | Monroe | North Carolina | Denver Nuggets |
| Braxton Key | Charlotte | North Carolina | Denver Nuggets |
| Jay Huff | Durham | North Carolina | Denver Nuggets |
| Aaron Wiggins | Greensboro | North Carolina | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Chris Paul | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | Golden State Warriors |
| Jerome Robinson | Raleigh | North Carolina | Golden State Warriors |
| P.J. Tucker | Raleigh | North Carolina | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Seth Curry | Charlotte | North Carolina | Dallas Mavericks |
| Nate Hinton | Gastonia | North Carolina | Houston Rockets |
| Zion Williamson | Salisbury | North Carolina | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Brandon Ingram | Kinston | North Carolina | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Trey Murphy III | Durham | North Carolina | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Devonte’ Graham | Raleigh | North Carolina | San Antonio Spurs |
Looking for Steph Curry? We have Steph on the Ohio Guide because he was born in Ohio, but you can easily make the case that he should be on this guide instead.
Player Bios
Here is a little more background info on a few of the standout players from the state of North Carolina:
Chris Paul
Chris Paul was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a city with a strong basketball culture and community focus. Paul attended West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, near Winston-Salem, where he developed into a highly skilled point guard, known for his leadership and basketball IQ.
His high school career was marked by impressive performances, including a 61-point game dedicated to his late grandfather. Paul played college basketball at Wake Forest University in his hometown, where he was recognized as one of the nation’s top college players.
His journey from Winston-Salem to becoming one of the best point guards in NBA history underscores his exceptional playmaking ability, leadership qualities, and commitment to community service.
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a city known for its rich history and cultural diversity. He attended Spartanburg Day School, where he became a viral sensation for his extraordinary athleticism and dunking ability.
Williamson’s high school career was distinguished by numerous awards and national recognition, making him one of the most highly touted recruits. He played college basketball at Duke University, where his blend of size, speed, and agility was unmatched.
Williamson’s path from Spartanburg to becoming an NBA phenomenon reflects his incredible talent, physicality, and impact on the game.
Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram was born in Kinston, North Carolina, a city with a rich tradition of producing basketball talent. Ingram attended Kinston High School, where he led his team to four consecutive state championships, showcasing his scoring ability and length.
His high school career was marked by his smooth shooting stroke and versatility on the court. Ingram played college basketball at Duke University, where he was recognized for his scoring talent and potential as a versatile forward.
His journey from Kinston to the NBA highlights his development as a skilled scorer and his adaptability, embodying the strong basketball heritage of his North Carolina hometown.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town North Carolina 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 North Carolina instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.
