Current NBA Players from the State of North Dakota (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 North Dakota.
NBA Players from North Dakota
Below is a list of the 1 player on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometown and the respective team they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doug McDermott | Grand Forks | North Dakota | San Antonio Spurs |
Player Bios
Here is a little more background info on the lone player from the state of North Dakota.
Doug McDermott
Doug McDermott, born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is known for his impressive basketball career that began in a city not typically recognized as a basketball hub. McDermott attended high school at Ames in Iowa, where he showcased his burgeoning skills on the basketball court.
He played college basketball for Creighton University, where he made a significant impact. McDermott led the nation in scoring in the 2013-14 season and was a three-time consensus first-team All-American, reflecting his scoring prowess and consistency.
In the 2014 NBA Draft, McDermott was selected in the first round, 11th overall, by the Denver Nuggets. Standing at 6’8″, McDermott has been known throughout his career for his sharpshooting and offensive skills.
His journey from Grand Forks to the NBA highlights his development as a skilled scorer and his ability to adapt and excel at the highest levels of basketball.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town North Dakota 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 Dakota instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of North Dakota 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 Dakota 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.
