Iowa's Basketball Legends
USA TODAY Sports is honoring the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time, and among them the top ten men’s basketball players from Iowa stand out as a testament to the state’s rich hoops heritage.
Harrison Barnes, who led Ames High School to back‑to‑back undefeated seasons and state championships, later captured an NBA title with the Golden State Warriors in 2015, showcasing a trajectory that began on the Iowa courts.
Nick Collison’s high school dominance at Iowa Falls translated into a storied college career and, more recently, an NBA championship as an executive with the Oklahoma City Thunder, underscoring his lasting influence on the game.
Bob Hansen helped Dowling Catholic rise to the Class 4A state title in 1979, and his professional success included a championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1992, a feat that cemented his place among Iowa’s basketball elite.
Kirk Hinrich, a Sioux City West product, earned a seventh‑overall draft pick by the Chicago Bulls in 2003 and went on to contribute to multiple playoff runs, while Fred Hoiberg, who guided Ames to a 1991 state championship, later earned the Associated Press Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year award.
The list also features Kevin Kunnert, whose college career was marked by consistent double‑digit averages, and Raef LaFrentz, a 1994 USA Today All‑USA first‑team selection who was drafted third overall in 1998 by the Denver Nuggets.
Doug McDermott’s tenure at Little Cyclones included a 53‑game winning streak and back‑to‑back state titles, leading to a 2014 first‑round draft pick and a professional career that continues to inspire young Iowans.
Gary Thompson’s role in Roland’s three consecutive state tournament appearances and his historic status as the first multi‑sport All‑American at Iowa State highlight the state’s versatile athletic talent.
Finally, Murray Wier, who led Muscatine to a district championship in 1944 and was the NCAA scoring champion in 1948, remains a foundational figure in Iowa’s basketball narrative.
Readers are now invited to vote for their favorite from the list or suggest other candidates, continuing the conversation about the state’s enduring basketball legacy.