​The story of basketball in America cannot be told without mentioning North Carolina. Known affectionately as the “Hoop State” for its enduring love of the game, a passion that can be traced back to the sport’s modern roots with Dr. James Naismith in 1891, North Carolina has produced a lineage of legendary hoopers. As the United States marks the 250th birthday of the nation, The Fayetteville Observer/USA TODAY Network presents a look at 25 of the best basketball players to come from North Carolina. Of those 25, six are represented on the NBA’s 75th anniversary team unveiled in 2021, and as of 2026, 11 have earned slots in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The list features a structured lineup—starting five, second team, third team, fourth team, and a fifth team designed as a small-ball configuration—featuring players who spent significant time growing up and playing high school basketball within the Tar Heel State.
Among the standouts is Chris Paul, often celebrated as CP3 and rightly regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time and a future Hall of Famer. The Winston-Salem native starred at West Forsyth High School, where he posted impressive numbers as a senior, averaging 30.8 points, 9.5 assists, 6 steals, and 5.9 rebounds. An All-American at Wake Forest, Paul’s No. 3 jersey was retired by the Demon Deacons. His decorated résumé includes two Olympic gold medals, 12 NBA All-Star selections, and leadership in steals in six seasons and in assists in five seasons. With more than 23,000 career points and 12,000 assists, Paul’s only missing accolade is an NBA championship.
Another icon on the list is Stephen Curry, widely regarded as perhaps the greatest shooter in NBA history. Curry is the all-time leader in made three-pointers, surpassing 4,200 in his career. He also owns the highest career free-throw percentage in NBA history, at 91.2%. After a standout prep career at Charlotte Christian, Curry played at Davidson College, where he set a single-season record for three-pointers made (162) as a sophomore and emerged as the NCAA scoring champion with an average of 28.6 points per game as a junior. His No. 30 jersey is retired by the Wildcats. Curry has won four NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and earned Finals MVP honors in 2022. He is a 12-time All-Star, a two-time scoring champion, and a holder of three Olympic gold medals. Like Paul, Curry is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Many fans regard Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time, a status often referred to as the basketball GOAT. The Jordan storyline is a testament to North Carolina’s basketball credibility, highlighting the state’s ability to produce players who reach the pinnacle of the sport. Jordan’s path from Wilmington to global stardom is marked by a famous twist: his transformation from a high schooler who did not make the varsity team at Laney High School into a player who would redefine the game. He later became known as “Air Jordan,” a moniker that reflected not only his extraordinary leaping ability but also his explosive scoring prowess and his enduring impact on the sport’s culture, branding, and global appeal, including the Jumpman logo that would come to symbolize basketball excellence.
This compilation of North Carolina’s finest players serves as a celebration of the state’s enduring influence on the sport. From the floor of local high schools to the stages of the NBA and international competition, North Carolina’s basketball talent has consistently shaped how the game is played, watched, and remembered. The narrative that emerges is one of talent nurtured in North Carolina’s communities, schools, and courts—talent that has driven team success, broken records, and inspired countless young players to dream big on the court. As the nation reflects on a milestone birthday, these players illustrate why North Carolina remains central to the lineage and future of basketball in America.