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CALIFORNIA

Home of Hollywood, movie stars, luxurious cars, incredible mansions/ocean front properties and home of the frequent world champion L.A Lakers. The Great State of California have been putting out top players from up and down the pacific coast line for the past 60 years with players such as Marquise Johnson, Baron Davis, Kevin Ollie, D’Wayne Fontana, Leon Powe, Jrue Holiday, DeMarr Derozen, Sean Rooks, Chris Mills, Tracey Murray, Sean Higgins, Tyus Edney, Staiz Bozeman, Miles Simon, Toby Daily, Tyson Chandler, Reggie Gary, Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Matt Barnes, Trevor Ariza, Brandon Jennings, Monte Buckley, Allen Crabbe, Luke Walton etc., etc., etc. Over the years not much has changed as Oakland, Los Angeles and the many surrounding cities are LOADED from top to bottom in the classes of 2012-2018 with such top prospects as Gabe York, Grant Jarrett, Stanley Johnson, Brandon Ashley, Eric Gordan, Jabari Bird, Xavier Johnson, Katin Rienhardt, Elijah Brown, Niel Vranicar, Thomas Peters, Nemon Wright etc., etc., etc., CALIFORNIA IS DEFINITELY A PERINEAL TOP 3 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATE.

FLORIDA           

For about as long as I can remember Florida has been known as a football and football only state, well, times have changed and now Florida is known for its basketball talent as well mainly due to the amount of talent that Miami and the surrounding cities have been producing the past 5-10 years with alumni such as Amarie Stodimire, Kenny Boynton, Nick Calathes, Eloy Vargas, John Hensen, Brandon Knight, Austin Rivers has put the state of Florida on the map and with the influx of talent with young top prospects such as Tony Jekiri, Michael FrazierTorian Graham, Ian Baker, Junior Etou, Jordan Goodman, Dre Kalo Clayton, Isaac Cohen, Jordan Montgomery, Joell James and Kasey Hill Florida’s grassroots basketball future is looking very bright.

GEORGIA

Georgia, oh……………… sweet Georgia. Atlanta, Marietta, DeKalb and the surrounding cities have made Georgia a DEFINITE TOP 5 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATE for over the past 8-10 years producing such notable players as Cameron Dollar, Chad Dollar, Al-Farouq Aminu, Dequan Jones, Tony Mitchell, Derrick Favors, J.J. Hickson, Gani Lewal, Jordan Mcrae, Kentavious Caldwell, D’Wight Howard etc. With Georgia having such current top prospects as William "Shaq" Goodwin, Clarence Reese, Jarnell Stokes, Kyle Meyer, Damian Wilson, Tony Parker, Jason Blossomgame, Brandon Morris, Tahj Samshid-Deen, Jarmal Reid, Jhuastin Thomas, Evan Nolte, Shaquille Johnson, Charles Mann, Tevin Glass, A.J. Bush, Jordan Price, Alex Pythress and Montay Brandon make Georgia a TOP 5-10 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATE!

ILLINIOS

The city of Chicago and the state of Illinois has been synonymous with basketball ever since the games creation and absolutely nothing has changed. Because of the CONSTANT ABOUNDANCE OF TALENT YEAR IN, YEAR OUT, the city of Chicago is solely responsible for Illinois being a top 3 basketball state for the past 50 plus years. With past players such as: Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Liberty, Jamie Brandon, Juwan Howard, Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis etc., etc., etc., Illinois has been and continues to be a hot bed.Illinois current top prospects Jabari Parker, Steve Taylor, Russell Wood, Jahlil Okafor, Thomas Hamilton and Jermaine Morgan, Jaylon Tate, Kendrick Nunn, Jelani Neely, Nathan Boothe, Darius Paul, Jovaughn Gaines, Paul White and Gabe Snyder secures the state of Illinois spot as among the TOP 3 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATES.

INDIANA

When I think of Indiana basketball, I think of HUGE FIELDHOUSES where big games are played or BARNS with hoops on the sides or fronts of them and most of all, Indiana is home to one of the greatest players to ever play the game "LARRY BIRD" nuff said! Indiana basketball has been strong for the past 50-60 years and shows no signs of letting up. The state of Indiana has produced so many players over the years and with current top prospects such as Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, Ronnie Johnson, Patrick Ingrahm, Darius Latham, Gary Harris, Zack Irvin, Jacobby Bledsoe, D’Vante Smith-Rivera, Eron Harris, Obij Aget, Jeremy Hollowell, Hanner Parae, Nick Osborne, Brent Callhoun, Teron Johnson, Joseph Reed and Rhett Smith, Indiana continues their reign as a TOP 10 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATE.

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts, home theBasketball Hall of Fame and like a few of the other states,have consistently put out top players for the past 40-60 years and now it seems to be stronger than ever. With top prospects likeNerlens Noel, Georges Niang, Jack Leymen, Andrew Chabascz, Shaquille Jones, Kamari Robinson, Wayne Seldon, Jarred Johnson and Kaleb Tarczewski has the state of Massachusetts walking around with its chest poked out and its SWAG on 100,000,/100,000,000,000,000 as Massachusetts knows that it’s a TOP 5 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATE FOR SURE.

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina, home of Chapel Hill, Tobacco Road, Kryszewskiville and the MOST FEARED RIVALRY IN ALL OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL "Duke vs North Carolina" and most importantly, home of "The G.O.A.T." MICHEAL JORDAN and yes, TOP GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL. North Carolina has been putting out just as much top talent as any of the other top grassroots basketball cities but the only difference is that it’s FINALLY RECEIVING NOTICE. Let’s take a look at SOME of North Carolina’s past HIGH PROFILE ALUMNI: Jerry Stackhouse, Rashaad McCants, Phil Ford, Eric Williams, Chris Paul, David Thompson, Jason Parker, Jeff McInnis, Craig Dawson, Buzz Peterson, Quincey Miller, Duece Bello, Brendan Haywood, James Worthy, Nate McMillen, Anthony Marrow, Eric Mayner, Bob McAdoo, "Pistol" Pete Maravich, Donald Williams, Walter Davis, Hubert Davis, Brad Daugherty, Rodney Rogers, Henry Bibby, John Wall, Ty Walker, Tracey MGrady, Keith Gallon, Ryan Kelly, The Plumlee brothers, Karron Johnson, CJ Leslie, Reggie Bullock, Ian Miller, J.T. Terrell, Melvin Tabb etc…………. and with top prospects such as: Allerik Freeman, Peter Jerkin, Rodney Purvis, Reggie Dillard, Austin Dasent, Theo Pinson, Isaiah Hicks, Darren Black, Josh Smith, Braxton Ogbueze, Ivan Bankovic, Zack Davis, Henrey Uwadiae, LC Cooks, Jarvis Haywood, Mike Brown, Terry Henderson, Greg McClinton, Matthew Maddigan, Dujuan Graf, Will Weeks and a slew of young top prospects in the classes of 2016-2018, North Carolina is now in the UPPER ESCHUALAN of TOP GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATES and they are here to stay.

NEW YORK

New York, New York, big city of dreams but everything in New York ain’t always what it seems unless you’re talking about basketball. The state of New York is home to what is maybe the most basketball driven city of all, New York City A.K.A “Tha Mecca” of basketball, home of "The Garden" (Madison Square Garden),home of the World Famous "RUCKER PARK" where NYC legends such as: “Dr. J”, Wilt Chamberlon, Connie Hawkins, Earl “Tha Pearl” Monroe, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Kareem- Abdul Jabaar, Shawnelle Scott, Kenny Anderson, Adrian Autry, Derrick Phelps, Anthony Pell, Lee Green, Norman Mauberry, Anthony Cade, Walter Berry, Chris Mullins, Matt Daugherty, Ron Artest, Kenny Smith, Pearl Washington, Bryan Reese, Robert Phelps, Terrance Rencher, Darryl Barnes, Lance Stephenson, Rod Strickland, Stephon Mauberry, Loyd Daniels, Sebastian Telfair etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc. New York has also produced basketball analyst/coaches such as: Dick Vital, Hueby Brown, Larry Brown, Mark Jackson, Pat Riley, Bill Raftery, the late-great Al McGuire and countless others. Lately New York’s overall talent pool hasn’t been quite as deep as it has been in years past but with current top prospects such as: Javan Thomas, Omar Coulhoon, Jordan Washington, Isaiah Whitehead, Isaiah Lewis, Jon Severe, Jordan Fuchs, Kyle Williams, Dajaun Coleman, New York is still alive and well. With NYC being such a DOMINANT CITY of grassroots basketball when you throw in Buffalo and Syracuse that all but cements its stake as a PERINIAL TOP 5 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATE.

TEXAS

Folks say that everything in the state of Texas is BIGGER AND BETTER, well, if they’re talking grassroots basketball, “THEY” were right. In a state where football is and has been a religion, basketball has not only arrived but I would have to say it’s just about neck and neck with football. From top to bottom Texas very well could be the TOP GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATE IN THE UNION. With their IMMEASURABLE AMOUNT OF TALENT IN ALL POSITIONS AND A STATE THAT’S LARGE ENOUGH TO BE IT’S OWN COUNTRY, Texas has shown that on a national level not only are their players good enough to compete, they’ve DOMINATED for the past 15-20 years. Over the years between Dallas and Houston (not to mention the dozens of other small towns) Texas grassroots basketball has sky-rocketed to the top and with their being over 15 players ranked in the top 100 from the state of Texas in Hoopsreport’s class of 2012 national player rankings and also being LOADED in the classes of 2013-2018 Texas shows no sign of weakening in fact, they’re getting stronger. On behalf of Hoopsreport we would like to salute you Texas, for your DOMINANCE IN GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL.

WASHINGTON DC/MARYLAND/VIRGINIA

The Tri-State area of DC/Maryland and Virginia is an EXTREEMLY BASKETBALL RICH AREA that has produced a very large amount of HIGH PROFILE BASKETBALL PLAYERS FOR OVER THE PAST 50 OR SO YEARS and grassroots basketball is the CORNER STONE OF IT ALL. With this Tri-State area seeming to load and re-load each year, not only is change NOT in the future, IT WILL REMAIN NEAR THE TOP OF THE GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL FOOD CHAIN. Past top prospects such as: Michael Jackson, Len Bias, Dorenzo Hudson, Ed Davis, Henry Simms, Wally Judge, Moughtauo Yarou, Josh Selby, Andre Dawkins, Josh Hairston, Kendal Marshall, Markel Starks, Travis McKie, James McAdoo, C.J. Fair, P.J. Hairston, Dorian Finney-Smith, Nick Faust, Michael Gbinije, Adjehi Baru, Carmelo Anthony, Sam Cassell, Donte Green, Austin Freeman, Nolan Smith, Julian Vaun, Alex Legion etc., etc., etc., and with current top prospects such as: Nathan Britt, Chris Jenkens, Justin Anderson, Seth Allen, BeeJay Anya, Troy Williams etc…………………………………. The DC/MARYLAND/VIRGINIA always have been and always will be a DOMINANT GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL AREA.

ROUNDING OUT HOOPSREPORT’S TOP 15 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATES (In alphabetical order).

LOUISIANA

Louisiana has had some very good grassroots basketball, which became very noticeable over the past 12 years. Look for Louisiana to fluctuate between top 10-15, depending on the year.

ALUMNI: Greg Monroe, Terrance Henry, Chris Jackson, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Chris Duhan, Tyrus Thomas etc………………………..

CURRENT TOP PROSPECTS: Craig Victor, Javan Felix etc.

MICHIGAN

Michigan has alwaysheld MAJOR EMPHESIS as a top grassroots basketball state which is something that doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon. Look for Michigan to continue to put out top prospects.

ALUMNI:

Mark Macon, Roy Tarply, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Mateen Cleavs etc.

CURRENT TOP PROSPECTS:

Ray Lee, Elbert Matthews, Raheem Johnson, Anthony Clemmons, Denzel Valentine, Bryn Forbes

OHIO

When I think of Ohio grassroots basketball, one name comes to mind "LeBron". For the past 12 years, the state of Ohio has put in work on at the HIGHEST LEVEL on a CONSISTANT BASES. Ohio has continued it’s very solid, consistent play at the highest level, which is how and why they’ve remained in the TOP 15 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATES.

ALUMNI:

LeBron James, Jared Sullinger, Jimmy Jackson, Lawrence Funderbirk

CURRENT TOP PROSPECTS:

Marc Loving, Elijah Macon, Kenny Kaminski, Terry Rozier, Tony Farmer, Mark Donnal, Kevin Johnson

PENNSYLVANIA

While the Quaker state has produced a COUNTLESS AMOUNT OF HIGH PROFILE PLAYERS from all across Pennsylvania there’s one city that wears the crown and that city is Philly.

ALUMNI:

Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlin, Earl "Tha Pearl" Monroe, Paul Arizin, Rasheed Wallace, Guy Rodgers, Ray Scott, Wayne Hightower, Wally Jones, Walt Hansen, "Poo" Richardsen, Mike Gale, Gene Banks, Lional Summers, Catino Mobely, Tony Chanault, Alvin Williams, Hakeem Warrick etc.

CURRENT TOP PROSPECTS:

Amile Jefferson, Savon Goodman, Rasheed Jordan, Ryan Archibald, Randall Austin etc………….

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina has and continues to pump out HIGH PROFILE PLAYERS. Quietly, SC stays among the top 10-15 grassroots basketball states and Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach and Florence are the reasons why.

ALUMNI:

Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Raymond Felton, Ramon Sessions, Jermaine O'Neal, Willie Anderson, Trevor Booker, Kevin Brooks, Kwame Brown, Pete Chillcut, Tyrone Corbin, Michael Dickerson, Alex English, Xavier McDaniel, Larry Nance, Josh Powell, LaRon Profitt, Stanley Roberts, Travis Williams, Leon Wood

CURRENT TOP PROSPECTS:

Sindarius Thornwell, DJ Brooks, Quavius Copeland, Davarius McGowan, Tre Smith, LJ Peak

15 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL STATES TO KEEP AN EYE (In alphabetical order).

ALABAMA

ARIZONA

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

IOWA

KENTUCKY

MINNESOTA

MISSOURI

MISSISSIPPI

NEW JERSEY

OKLAHOMA

OREGON

UTAH

WASHINGTON

WISCONSIN

HOOPSREPORT’S TOP 15 GRASSROOTS BASKETBALL CITIES (In alphabetical order).

ATLANTA (GA)

BALTIMORE (MD)

BOSTON (MA)

CHARLOTTE (NC)

CHICAGO (Ill)

COLUMBIA (SC)

DALLAS (TX)

DETRIOT (MI)

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