Best NBA careers in Iowa basketball history

Iowa basketball has had a long history and has sent 36 players to the NBA. Only two of those 36 have been inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.

Currently, there are five active players from Iowa playing in the NBA. The best so far is Keegan Murray who was drafted in 2023 and is currently averaging 13.5 points per game, 5.0 total rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game. He also averaged a little over 31 minutes on the court for the Sacramento Kings.

While Murray won't be on this list because he only has two years of stats under his belt, if he continues this success, he very well has a spot on it in the future. That being said, here which form Hawkeyes had the best NBA careers.

John Johnson starts this list as he played for Iowa in the late 60s and was drafted in 1970. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round with the seventh overall pick. Johnson had a solid first season averaging 16.6 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, and was voted an All-Star his rookie season.

Johnson was with the Cavaliers for three seasons and was an All-Star twice before going to the Portland Trail Blazers where his stats were similar to when he was in Cleveland. Johnson was in Portland for three years as well and in those three years averaged 16.0 points per game, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.

After leaving Portland, Johnson landed in Houston for three seasons as well and his numbers dropped in his last eight seasons in the league with Houston and Seattle. Johnson finished his career averaging 12.9 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Sadly, Johnson passed away in 2016.