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### **Ranking Basketball Popularity Across All 50 U.S. States**

Basketball’s popularity varies dramatically across the United States, influenced by **NBA fandom, college basketball culture, high school participation, and streetball legacy**. While some states treat basketball like a religion (looking at you, Indiana), others prioritize football, baseball, or even hockey.

This ranking considers:

- **NBA & college team loyalty** (TV ratings, attendance)

- **High school participation** (per capita players)

- **Pro player production** (NBA/WNBA talent)

- **Streetball/cultural impact** (urban basketball scenes)

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### **🏀 Complete 50-State Ranking (Most to Least Basketball-Obsessed)**

#### **Tier 1: Basketball Is Religion**

1. **Indiana** – "Hoosier Hysteria" is real; HS gyms pack 10,000+ fans

2. **Kentucky** – Louisville vs. UK games shut down the state

3. **North Carolina** – Duke vs. UNC = biggest rivalry in sports

4. **California** – 4 NBA teams + legendary streetball (Drew League)

5. **Illinois** – Chicago hoops (Rose, Wade, Antetokounmpo brothers)

#### **Tier 2: Hoops Hotbeds**

6. **Texas** – Houston produces more NBA talent than most countries

7. **Ohio** – LeBron’s shadow looms large; Cavs > Browns in ratings

8. **New York** – Rucker Park, NYC streetball, Knicks diehards

9. **Pennsylvania** – Philly’s tough playgrounds & Big 5 college rivalries

10. **Kansas** – Jayhawks fandom runs deep (Rock Chalk chants everywhere)

#### **Tier 3: Strong, But Other Sports Compete**

11. **Georgia** – Atlanta Hawks + AAU powerhouse (Peach Jam)

12. **Michigan** – Fab Five legacy vs. Michigan football

13. **Maryland** – DMV basketball (Durant, Harden, Carmelo roots)

14. **Massachusetts** – Celtics diehards, but Patriots dominate

15. **Tennessee** – Memphis Grizzlies’ "Grit & Grind" culture

#### **Tier 4: Growing Basketball States**

16. **Oklahoma** – Thunder turned OKC into a basketball town

17. **Utah** – Jazz have NBA’s most loyal small-market fanbase

18. **Oregon** – Trail Blazers are Portland’s only major pro team

19. **Colorado** – Nuggets’ Jokic era spiking youth interest

20. **Washington** – Seattle still mourns Sonics, loves UW hoops

#### **Tier 5: Hoops Exist, But Not King**

21. **Florida** – Heat are big, but football rules

22. **Arizona** – Suns rising with Booker, but MLB/NFL compete

23. **Missouri** – Mizzou & KU rivalry > NBA interest

24. **Wisconsin** – Bucks are big, but Packers own the state

25. **Virginia** – UVA success, but NFL/college football dominates

#### **Tier 6: Casual Basketball Interest**

26. **New Jersey** – Streetball history, but no NBA team

27. **Connecticut** – UConn women’s dynasty > men’s interest

28. **Alabama** – Football first, but Auburn/Bama hoops growing

29. **Louisiana** – Pelicans fandom, but LSU football is #1

30. **Iowa** – Caitlin Clark effect boosting interest

#### **Tier 7: Basketball Exists, Barely**

31. **Minnesota** – Timberwolves struggle against Vikings

32. **Arkansas** – Razorbacks hoops > NBA interest

33. **Mississippi** – No pro team, but some SEC passion

34. **South Carolina** – College hoops > pro interest

35. **Nebraska** – Football state, but Creighton has fans

#### **Tier 8: Other Sports Dominate**

36. **Nevada** – Vegas loves NBA Summer League, not regular season

37. **West Virginia** – Huggins-era Mountaineers had moments

38. **New Mexico** – "The Pit" is legendary, but no pro team

39. **Delaware** – No major teams, some college interest

40. **Rhode Island** – PC Friars have a niche following

#### **Tier 9: Where’s the Basketball?**

41. **New Hampshire** – Celtics fans, but no local teams

42. **Maine** – Red Claws (G-League) are biggest attraction

43. **Idaho** – Football & outdoors culture > hoops

44. **Montana** – Bobcats/Grizzlies, but no pro presence

45. **Hawaii** – Surfing > basketball

#### **Tier 10: The Basketball Deserts**

46. **Wyoming** – No D1 programs, lowest participation

47. **Alaska** – Limited infrastructure, hockey rules

48. **South Dakota** – Football & rodeo culture

49. **North Dakota** – Too cold, hockey & football win

50. **Vermont** – Only 4.2% HS participation (lowest in U.S.)

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### **Key Takeaways**

✅ **Basketball is strongest in:**

- **Traditional hoops states (IN, KY, NC)**

- **Big cities with NBA teams (CA, NY, IL, TX)**

- **College basketball hubs (KS, PA, OH)**

❌ **Basketball struggles in:**

- **Football-first states (AL, WI, MS, LA)**

- **Cold-weather regions (ND, AK, VT)**

- **States without pro/college teams (WY, SD, ME)**

Would you like a deeper breakdown of any state’s basketball culture? (e.g., high school hotbeds, NBA vs. college loyalty, streetball scenes)