Here are some statistics to help you determine who was the best state athlete in their prime. Sixty percent of the states ranked one of the great basketball or football icons as their best hometown hero. Michael Jordan, for example is the state’s best athlete. Muhammad Ali, Kentucky’s state boxing hero, is also among the top athletes. Andre Agassi is the Nevada-based sportsman of choice.
Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson is the most famous athlete from each state. Bo was a basketball great who broke tackles to score a 99-yard touchdown during the 1991 NCAA championship. Williston High School won two state titles under his leadership. As a senior, he scored an average of 27 points at the University of North Dakota. His basketball career was seven decades long, and he won 12 NBA titles, one as an athlete, and eleven as a coach.
Scottie Pippen
The Chicago Bulls crowned Pippen their best player ever in the 2008-09 postseason, where he averaged 21.0 points and 7.0 assists per game. He also added 7.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. Pippen is currently the only active player who has a postseason double-double. In Game 1, he scored his first triplet against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Kirby Puckett
In this list, the best athlete from each state is Kirby Puckett, a professional baseball player who spent 12 years with the Minnesota Twins. He won six Gold Glove Awards and led the league with hits four times. He reached the MVP vote three times and played well in two World Series. His last season was one of his most memorable, and he finished his career high.
Scott Gomez
The NHL is known for producing many athletes over the years, and Alaska is no exception. Alaska has at least 12 NHL players, but none are even close to Gomez. Gomez, who was born in Anchorage played for the Alaska Aces throughout the NHL lockouts. He has been a proud citizen of his home state as the 2000 Calder Memorial Trophy Trophy winner.
Ricky Sailors
Sailors' jump shot was perfected in high school. Sailors continued to improve his jump shot at college and became one of few pro-level players who could make a living using it. His jump shot still makes a splash in the NBA today, and he is often considered the best athlete from each state. This article will discuss the impact Sailors's legacy has had on basketball.
LeBron James
LeBron James, one of the many sports legends, is one such example. He is the best basketball player on the planet, has won four NBA championships and is currently leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to their inaugural NBA championship. In addition to winning numerous awards, LeBron has two Olympic medals and is a two-time MVP of the NBA. Let's see how he ranks among all the great athletes of America.