Kansas has always been known for its college hoops with an endless list of great players who played their collegiate basketball in the state before going on to be NBA greats, but what about NBA players who were actually born in Kansas? Let’s take a look at what an NBA starting five might look like consisting of only players born in the Sunflower State.
At Point Guard – Larry Drew
Larry Drew was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1958 and is currently an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Drew attended High School in Kansas before moving to Missouri to play college ball. Drafted in 1980 by the Detroit Pistons, Larry Drew did not spend much time there as he quickly found himself back in Kansas City where he found his success.
In the 1982-1983 season Larry Drew took the league by storm posting averages of 20.1 points-per-game and 8.1 assists-per-game. Although a little undersized, Drew was very quick and shifty, as well as a great passer with good court vision, and high basketball IQ as evidenced by his long career as an NBA coach. Larry Drew would provide the Kansas All-NBA team with leadership and crucial decision making.
At Shooting Guard – Warren Jabali
Warren Jabali was born in 1946 in Kansas City, Kansas under the name Warren Armstrong. Warren changed his surname to Jabali while playing for Wichita State to be closer to his African roots. Jabali, a Swahili word, aptly means “rock” in English, and he was great at handling it. An athletic guard, Jabali was rumored to be able to touch a 10 foot rim with his forehead, standing at only 6’2”. Jabali was drafted in the 1968 NBA draft but instead decided to play for the Oakland Oaks in the ABA.
A great defender, passer, and scorer, Jabali was everything you wanted in a combo-guard, but he also had the ability to grab rebounds. In his sophomore season, Warren Jabali grabbed 10.4 rebounds-per-game and scored 22.8 points-per-game. Magic Johnson has never recorded over 9.6 RPG in a season, but Jabali has done it twice.
At Small Forward – Scott Wedman
Scott Wedman was born in Harper, Kansas, but attended High School and College in Colorado. Wedman was a proficient shooter in the NBA and was selected as an All-Star multiple times in his career. Wedman had the ability to stretch the floor as a versatile and mobile big man. Standing at 6’7”, Wedman would create nightmares for opposing teams as he could pull up and shoot on offense, and then lock down and guard multiple positions on the other end.
Wedman was drafted in 1974 by the Kansas City Kings with the sixth overall selection and eventually became a cornerstone for the franchise averaging 19 PPG and 5.7 RPG in the 1979-1980 season. Scott Wedman does not lack accolades, as along with his two NBA All-Star selections, Wedman was voted into the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1980, as well as the NBA All-Rookie first team in 1975. Wedman also stakes claim to two NBA Championships in 1984 and in 1986 with the Boston Celtics. This is the kind of leadership and experience that would help the Kansas team take down their opponents.
At Power Forward – Ed Nealy
Perhaps the weak-point of the team, Ed Nealy is a 6’7” power forward born in Pittsburg, Kansas in 1960. Nealy played college at Kansas and was later drafted by the Kansas City Royals. Much like other players on the All-Kansas Squad, Nealy stayed close to home for much of his career. Not much of a scorer, Nealy’s services will mostly be required in rebounding and defense. In Nealy’s best season, he averaged 5.9 RPG and 4.4 PPG.
A lack of production in the box-score does not signify a lack of production on the court as Nealy has been praised by many coleagues for beaing a smart, tough basketball player. The great Phil Jackson had Nealy on his 1993 Chicago Bulls Championship team and had this to say about him: “it’s guys like Ed who make coaching a pleasure. If you give me a reason to put him into a game, he’s going to find a way to contribute.” Phil Jackson also called him his favorite player, and the smartest player on his team; high praise from one of the best NBA coaches of all time.
At Center – Alvan Adams
Born in Lawrence, Kansas in 1954, Alvan Adams later moved to Oklahoma where he would attend High School and College. At the University of Oklahoma, Adams was a basketball star and now sits at eight all time in scoring for the Sooners. Adams was drafted fourth overall in the 1975 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, where he played his entire 13 year career.
At 6’9”, Adams was large enough to guard both Centers and Power Forwards, but he also has the ability to score in bunches. Adams once recorded a triple double of 47 points, 18 rebounds, and 12 assists, and is one of only five players in NBA history to record a triple double with up to 46 points and 16 rebounds, the other four being Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Russell Westbrook and Vince Carter, so he’s in pretty good company.
The Heat Check Magazine 