Introduction to Oklahoma State University and NBA
Oklahoma State University, also known as OSU, is a public research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU is one of the six public universities in the state and is the flagship university of the Oklahoma State System. OSU is classified as a doctoral degree-granting university with a high research activity. As one of the most prestigious universities in the United States, OSU is well known for its academics, athletics and research.
The National Basketball Association, or NBA, is a professional basketball league in North America. The NBA is composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the Eastern and Western Conferences. The NBA is the highest professional level of basketball in the world and is widely recognized as a global sports entertainment powerhouse.
Notable Oklahoma State NBA Players
Oklahoma State has had a long and storied history of producing some of the most talented basketball players in the NBA. In this article, we will explore some of the most notable Oklahoma State players to have ever played in the NBA.
John Starks
John Starks was a guard who played in the NBA from 1988 to 2002. He was a two-time All-Star and was twice named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Starks played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 1988 NBA Draft. He spent the majority of his career with the New York Knicks, where he was an integral part of the team’s success in the 1990s.
Tony Allen
Tony Allen was a guard who played in the NBA from 2004 to 2017. He was a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. Allen played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft. He spent most of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals in 2013.
Byron Houston
Byron Houston was a forward who played in the NBA from 1991 to 2002. He was a three-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. Houston played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 1991 NBA Draft. He spent most of his career with the Seattle SuperSonics, where he was an important part of the team’s success in the 1990s.
Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart is a guard who has played in the NBA since 2014. He was a two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. Smart played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft. He has spent his entire career with the Celtics, where he has been an important part of the team’s success in recent years.
James Anderson
James Anderson was a guard who played in the NBA from 2010 to 2015. He was a two-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. Anderson played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. He spent most of his career with the Houston Rockets, where he was an important part of the team’s success during his tenure.
Mason Rudolph
Mason Rudolph was a guard who played in the NBA from 1972 to 1978. He was a two-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. Rudolph played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1972 NBA Draft. He spent most of his career with the Kansas City Kings, where he was an important part of the team’s success during his tenure.
Eddie Sutton
Eddie Sutton was a guard who played in the NBA from 1976 to 1980. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. Sutton played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 1976 NBA Draft. He spent most of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was an important part of the team’s success during his tenure.
Xavier McDaniel
Xavier McDaniel was a forward who played in the NBA from 1985 to 1997. He was a three-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. McDaniel played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft. He spent most of his career with the SuperSonics, where he was an integral part of the team’s success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Victor Williams
Victor Williams was a guard who played in the NBA from 1995 to 2000. He was a two-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. Williams played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft. He spent most of his career with the Clippers, where he was an important part of the team’s success during his tenure.
Doug Gottlieb
Doug Gottlieb was a guard who played in the NBA from 2000 to 2004. He was a two-time All-Star and was twice named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Gottlieb played college basketball at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the 2000 NBA Draft. He spent the majority of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was an important part of the team’s success during his tenure.
Conclusion
Oklahoma State University has had a long and storied history of producing some of the most talented basketball players in the NBA. From John Starks to Doug Gottlieb, the university has had a wide variety of players make a name for themselves in the league. These players have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA and have had a lasting impact on the game.