Current NBA Players from the State of Oklahoma (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 6 players originating from the state of Oklahoma.
NBA Players from Oklahoma
Below is a list of all 6 players on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometowns and the respective teams they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| DaQuan Jeffries | Edmond | Oklahoma | New York Knicks |
| Josh Richardson | Edmond | Oklahoma | Miami Heat |
| Shake Milton | Bartlesville | Oklahoma | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Lindy Waters III | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Jaxson Hayes | Norman | Oklahoma | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Jeremy Sochan | Guymon | Oklahoma | San Antonio Spurs |
Player Bios
Here is a little more background info on a few of the standout players from the state of Oklahoma.
Josh Richardson
Josh Richardson, born on September 15, 1993, in Edmond, Oklahoma, is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. He played college basketball at the University of Tennessee, where he was known for his defensive prowess and scoring ability.
Richardson was selected by the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft and has since become known for his versatile skills on both ends of the court.
Jeremy Sochan
Jeremy Juliusz Sochan, an American-born Polish power forward, was born in the United States to a Polish mother and American father. He was raised in England, where he played youth basketball.
Sochan, who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA, set the franchise record as the youngest Spurs rookie to start an NBA season in 2022-23.
His unique international background and experience in different basketball cultures have contributed to his development as a versatile and promising player in professional basketball.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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.
