Bruce Dias 
Ohio isn’t Indiana. Any second grader studying the state map can tell you that much. That’s to say that it doesn’t have basketball baked into its DNA, at least not in the overly pronounced way of other states in the Midwest.
Yet, in the list below, you’re going to find some of the most influential names on both the men’s and women’s side of the sport. Bottom line? There’s plenty of Ohio basketball to bet on—particularly if you are willing to wager on players who have taken their talent out of the Buckeye state.
You can make wagers easily here: https://www.youbet.com/states/ohio/
Let’s meet the best players to come out of the Ohio basketball scene, shall we?
1. Steph Curry
Steph Curry is arguably the most famous basketball player in the world, currently playing, maybe second only to LeBron James. Born in Akron, Ohio, the 6-foot-2 point guard was drafted 7th overall in the 1st round of the 2009 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors, where he has played for the entirety of his career.
During that time, he has established one of the most dominant and impressive records in league history. His resume includes, but is certainly not limited to, 4 NBA championships, 2 MVP awards, 11 All-Star placements, 2 NBA All-Star Game MVP recognitions, along with multiple Olympic gold medals.
If you know anything about basketball at all, you know that Steph Curry is both the pride of Akron and one of the best players the game has ever seen.
2. LeBron James
If any player can beat Steph’s fame or his record, it’s LeBron James. Intersting fact, Lebron was also born in Akron, Ohio—in the same hospital as Steph.
The 2 star players were not actually boyhood rivals, with Curry having left the state as a child.
Still, there must be something in the water in Akron, right? LeBron has one of the greatest all-time resumes in the sport, having rightly been given the nickname King James. He’s the all-time leading scorer, he’s won 4 NBA championships and appeared 10 times in the finals.
Like Steph, he’s an Olympic gold medalist. And he’s also a 4-time MVP.
3. John Havlicek
Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, John Havlicek is a name that might not immediately come to mind for modern fans of the game. He actually probably retired before most people reading this article were even born. He played his last professional game in 1978.
Havlcek ended on a high note, helping lead his team, the Celtics, to victory in triple overtime. It is still considered one of the best and most tightly contested NBA final games in league history.
Havlicek himself was no stranger to glory. He has 8 championship victories to his name.
4. Katie Smith
Katie Smith is probably the least recognizable name on our list, though this is largely because she played in the WNBA during a time when women’s professional basketball was still radically underappreciated.
Born in Logan, Ohio, and entering the professional game out of Ohio State in 1996, she began her career with the Minnesota Lynx as a shooting guard.
She bounced around the league throughout her career, ending her time as a player with the New York Liberty in 2013. There, she stayed as an assistant coach and then head coach in the 2018 to 2019 season. She is currently, as of 2024, an assistant for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
She is a WNBA scoring champion, a 2-time finals champion, a one-time finals MVP, and a Hall of Fame inductee.
5. Kelsey Mitchell
Kelsey Mitchell was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She’s arrived in the WNBA by way of Ohio State University. Even from the beginning, she was noted for her skill as the 2nd overall pick in the 1st round of the 2018 draft.
She was actually drafted by Indiana, where she has remained within the WNBA for the length of her career. However, she also has some overseas experience, having played in Egypt and Africa, as well as China.
Today, Kelsey Mitchell is a noted fan favorite in a Fever franchise that has exploded with meteoric success since the addition of Aaliyah Boston in 2023 and even more famously, Caitlin Clark in 2024. At the time of writing, the Indiana Fever is about 25% through with the 2025 season and has maintained a 50% win rating throughout the year.
Despite Caitlin Clark’s inconsistent presence on the court thanks to several different injuries, Kelsey Mitchell continues to play an important role in the most popular team in the WNBA.
Conclusion
Clearly, Ohio needs a little bit more love. It’s produced so many notable names and will continuously, and no doubt continue to do so well into the future.
Who is your favorite basketball player from Ohio?
