Basketball Players from West Virginia that Played in the NBA

West Virginia is not usually known as a "hot-bed" for professional basketball players. However, there have been some players that made it to the NBA or ABA.

Jerome Anderson from Mullens, West Virginia played high school ball at Mullens High School and attended West Virginia University. Jerome played two seasons in the NBA was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 3^rd round of the 1975 NBA draft. He played in 49 games during his short-lived NBA career and averaged only 2.6 points per game.

Mike Barrett attended Richwood High School and West Virginia Institute of Technology played three seasons in the ABA. Barrett played in a total of 187 games and averaged 13.4 points per game during his short ABA career.

Vernell "Bimbo" Coles attended Greenbrier East High School and played collegiately at Virginia Tech. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 2^nd round of the 1990 NBA draft. He played a total of 14 seasons in the NBA in a total of 852 games and had a career average of 7.8 points per game.

Mike D'Antoni attended Mullens High School and played collegiately at Marshall University. He was drafted by the Kansas City-Omaha Kings in the 2^nd round of the 1973 NBA draft. He played a total of four seasons in the NBA appearing in 180 games and averaged 3.4 points per game during his career. Mike D'Antoni has had a successful coaching career in the NBA where he is currently coaching the New York Knicks.

Hal Greer attended Douglass High School in Huntington, West Virginia and played collegiately at Marshall University. He was drafted in the 2^nd round of the 1958 NBA draft. He played 15 seasons in the NBA and appeared in 1,122 games and averaged 19.2 points per game during his career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1982. He played in 10 NBA All-Star Games and won the All-Star MVP in 1967. Hal Greer had career college average at Marshall University of scoring 19.4 points per game.

Gary Gregor attended South Charleston High School and played collegiately at the University of South Carolina. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 1^st round of the 1968 NBA Draft. He played a total of six seasons in the NBA and had a career average of 8.9 points per game appearing in a total of 361 games during his career. He made the 1968-69 NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team.

Marshall Hawkins attended Huntington High School and played collegiately at the University of Tennessee. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1948 BAA draft. He played a total of 1 season for a total of 39 games during his career. He had a career average of 3.9 points per game.

Hot Rod Hundley attended Charleston High School and played collegiately at West Virginia University. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1^st round of the 1957 NBA draft. He was the 1^st overall pick of the draft. He played a total of six seasons in the NBA appearing in 431 games and had a career average of 8.4 points per game. He played in two All-Star games during his career.

Gene James attended Stonewall Jackson High School in Charleston, West Virginia and played collegiately at Marshall University. He played a total of three seasons in the NBA appearing in 88 games and had a career average of 3.4 points per game.

George King attended Stonewall Jackson High School and played collegiately at the University of Charleston. He was drafted by the Chicago Stags in the 8^th round of the 1950 NBA draft. He played six seasons and appeared in 411 games as well as averaged 10.3 points per game during his career. He won a championship with the 1955 Syracuse Nationals.

O.J. Mayo attended Huntington High School his senior season and played college ball at the University of Southern California. O.J. was born in Huntington, West Virginia. He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1^st round of the 2008 NBA draft. Currently, O.J. Mayo is with the Memphis Grizzlies who traded for him when he was drafted. He made the 2008-09 NBA All-Rookie 1^st Team.

Al Salvadori attended Wheeling Central High School and played college ball at the University of South Carolina. He was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in the 4^th round of the 1967 NBA draft. He played only one season in the NBA and appeared in 17 games and averaged 3.2 points per game during his short-lived NBA career.

Tamar Slay attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, West Virginia and played basketball for Marshall University. He was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the 2^nd round of the 2002 NBA draft. He played a total of three seasons in the NBA and appeared in 66 games with a career average of 2.6 points per game. At Marshall University, Slay played four years and averaged 15.7 points per game.

Bobby Smith attended Stonewall Jackson High School and played college ball at West Virginia University. He was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in the 3^rd round of the 1959 NBA draft. He played two seasons in the NBA appearing in only 13 games and averaged 9.7 points per game.

Rod Thorn attended Princeton High School and played collegiately at West Virginia University. He was drafted by the Chicago Zephyrs in the 1^st round of the 1963 NBA draft and was the number two overall pick in the draft. He played 8 seasons in the NBA appearing in 466 games with a career average of 10.8 points per game. Thorn made the 1963-64 NBA All-Rookie 1^st team.

Jerry West aka "Mr. Clutch or Zeke from Cabin Creek" attended East Bank High School and played college ball at West Virginia University. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1^st round of the 1960 NBA draft and was the overall number two pick of the draft. West was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980. He played a total of 14 seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. He appeared in 932 games and had a career average of 27.0 points per game. He made the All-Star team all 14 seasons. At West Virginia, Jerry West had a career average of 24.8 points per game in the three years he spent at Morgantown, West Virginia. He won the 1972 NBA Championship and holds various records in the NBA. Jerry West is the logo of the NBA and has worked in the NBA over the years as a coach and general manager.

Jason Williams aka "White Chocolate" attended DuPont High School and played collegiately at Marshall University and the University of Florida. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 1^st round of the 1998 NBA draft. He has played for 11 season and is still playing today with the Orlando Magic. During his collegiate career he averaged 14.9 points per game. Jason made the 1998-99 NBA All-Rookie 1^st team and won a NBA Championship with the 2006 Miami Heat. Jason Williams played high school ball with current Tennessee Titans wide-receiver Randy Moss.

Ron Williams attended Weirton High School and played college ball at West Virginia University. He was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors in the 1^st round of the 1968 NBA draft. He played six seasons in the NBA appearing in 516 games and had a career average of 9.3 points per game.
Mark Workman attended Charleston High School and played college ball at West Virginia University. He was drafted in the 1^st round of the 1952 NBA draft taken with the overall 1^st pick in the draft by the Milwaukee Hawks. He played two seasons in the NBA appearing in 79 games and had a career average of 4.9 points per game.

Source: http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/high_schools.cgi?country=US&state=WV