Current NBA Players from the State of Texas (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 31 players originating from the state of Texas.
NBA Players from Texas
Below is a list of all 31 players on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometowns and the respective teams they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Walsh | Dallas | Texas | Boston Celtics |
| Royce O’Neale | Killeen | Texas | Brooklyn Nets |
| Armoni Brooks | Waco | Texas | Brooklyn Nets |
| Quentin Grimes | Houston | Texas | New York Knicks |
| Julius Randle | Dallas | Texas | New York Knicks |
| Tyrese Maxey | Dallas | Texas | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Danuel House Jr. | Houston | Texas | Philadelphia 76ers |
| AJ Griffin | Dallas | Texas | Atlanta Hawks |
| Wesley Matthews | San Antonio | Texas | Atlanta Hawks |
| R.J. Hampton | Dallas | Texas | Miami Heat |
| Jimmy Butler | Houston | Texas | Miami Heat |
| Anthony Black | Las Colinas | Texas | Orlando Magic |
| DeAndre Jordan | Houston | Texas | Denver Nuggets |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | Houston | Texas | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Taurean Prince | San Marcos | Texas | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Port Arthur | Texas | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Marcus Smart | Flower Mound | Texas | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Sir’Jabari Rice | Houston | Texas | San Antonio Spurs |
| Jalen Wilson | Arlington | Texas | Brooklyn Nets |
| Alex Caruso | College Station | Texas | Chicago Bulls |
| Julian Phillips | Killeen | Texas | Chicago Bulls |
| Cade Cunningham | Arlington | Texas | Detroit Pistons |
| Marcus Sasser | Dallas | Texas | Detroit Pistons |
| Myles Turner | Bedford | Texas | Indiana Pacers |
| Marques Bolden | Dallas | Texas | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Trae Young | Lubbock | Texas | Atlanta Hawks |
| Cason Wallace | Dallas | Texas | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Kenrich Williams | Waco | Texas | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Keyonte George | Lewisville | Texas | Utah Jazz |
| Grant Williams | Houston | Texas | Dallas Mavericks |
| Greg Brown III | Dallas | Texas | Dallas Mavericks |
Player Bios
Here is a little more background info on a few of the standout players from the state of Texas.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler was born in Tomball, Texas, a suburb of Houston known for its strong community values. Butler attended Tomball High School, where he began to show his potential as a basketball player.
Despite being lightly recruited, Butler’s talent and work ethic were evident. He played college basketball at Tyler Junior College before transferring to Marquette University. At Marquette, Butler was known for his defensive skills and all-around game.
His journey to the NBA, where he has become known for his tenacity, leadership, and clutch performances, is a story of perseverance, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges.
Trae Young
Trae Young was born in Lubbock, Texas, a city known for its strong sports culture and community spirit. He grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, where he attended Norman North High School.
Young emerged as one of the top high school basketball players in the country, known for his exceptional shooting range and playmaking abilities. He played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma, where he led the nation in both points and assists, a rare feat.
Young’s journey from Texas and Oklahoma to becoming a star point guard in the NBA underscores his remarkable offensive talent, vision, and impact on the game.
Julius Randle
Julius Randle was born on November 29, 1994, in Dallas, Texas, a city with a rich tradition in sports. Randle attended Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas, where he was recognized as one of the top high school prospects in the nation.
His high school career was marked by his power, agility, and skill as a forward. Randle played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he was known for his dominance in the paint and rebounding ability.
His path from Dallas to the NBA highlights his development as a versatile forward, known for his strength, scoring ability, and rebounding prowess.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town Texas 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 Texas instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of Texas 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 Texas 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.
