Vermont holds the distinction of being the only U.S. state that has never produced a player who appeared on an NBA regular-season roster. This statistical anomaly persists even as other states with small populations, including Alaska, Hawaii, and the Dakotas, have sent homegrown talent to the league. According to The Ringer, countries such as Tanzania, Mali, and Estonia have each produced more NBA players than the Green Mountain State.
Historical Draft Attempts
The most recent time a Vermont native was selected in the NBA draft occurred in 1986. The Phoenix Suns used their eighth pick—the 123rd overall selection—to draft Jim McCaffrey, a 6-foot-2 scorer from Rutland who played for Holy Cross. Despite reporting that he outshot other rookie guards during camp, McCaffrey was cut from the team. He later participated in a rookie tryout camp with the Boston Celtics.
Recent Near Misses
In the last 25 years, Taylor Coppenrath came closest to breaking the drought. Coppenrath played for the University of Vermont from 2001-02 to 2004-05, where he tied the record for most consecutive America East MVP awards. Although he played in the summer league for the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics, he went undrafted and never secured a spot on a regular-season roster.
Basketball Culture in Vermont
Despite the lack of professional representation, basketball remains a significant part of the state’s culture. Steve Pratt, a basketball trainer and skills coach who worked with players such as Matas Buzelis and Jewell Loyd, describes himself as a “kid from fucking rural Vermont.” Pratt, who won a state title coaching Hazen Union High School in 1996, noted that the first player to make it into the NBA will have the support of the entire state.
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