NBA Pipeline: Top 10 Players Born in Washington

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PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 21: Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against the Houston Rockets during Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2009 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: Use

With the talent that comes out of states like California, New York, Florida, and Texas, many tend to overlook the Northwest.

In particular, the state of Washington.

Washington has quickly become a hot bed for basketball talent. College basketball has seen great success at schools like Washington, Washington State, and Gonzaga.

Sonic greats Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp host annual basketball tournaments in Seattle. The Glove even has an AAU team based out of the Emerald City.

Some of the best players can be found in high schools scattered across the Evergreen state.

Much of the talent is fairly young, but it is hard to argue their great skill set and upside.

Here are the top 10 players from the state of Washington.

10. Marvin Williams

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Marvin Williams #24 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 30, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 95-88. NOTE TO USER: User ex

Marvin Williams spent his entire four years at Bremerton High School dominating the Narrows League and much of the rest of the states best.

Even though the Bremerton roster lacked any depth, Williams managed to lead the Knights to the state tournament with his great all around game.

Marvin decided to pass up a chance at the NBA to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

He was a key part of the Tar Heels 2005 National Championship run.

Williams success continued as he was drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks.

Although his professional career has been inconsistent due to injuries, Marvin is averaging 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

9. Rodney Stuckey

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Rodney Stuckey #3 of the Detroit Pistons shoots over Derek Fisher #2 of of the Los Angeles Lakers on November 14, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Pistons won 106-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

The Kentwood High graduate received little attention from the college level following a strong high school career.

Stuckey chose to stay in state and attend Eastern Washington University.

Many took note of Rodney when he led Eastern Washington to the NCAA tournament, finally getting a chance to play on a national stage.

The Detroit Pistons took notice and drafted the guard 15th overall in the 2007 NBA draft.

Stuckey quickly became a star off the bench during the 2008 season. His emergent play allowed Rodney to take over the starting role this past season, averaging a little over 13 points, five assists, and 3.5 rebounds.

8. Doug Christie

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 16: Doug Christie #13 of the Sacramento Kings dunks against the Utah Jazz during the game at Arco Arena on April 16, 2003 in Sacramento, California. The Kings won 95-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Doug Christie is the first of a few players that will appear on this list from Rainier Beach High School in Seattle.

Christie will be remembered most for his great defense, and his time spent with the Sacramento Kings.

The Pepperdine graduate was instrumental in the many playoff battles between Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers during the early part of the decade.

Christie was the 17th overall pick by the Seattle Supersonics in 1992.

He went on to play 15 seasons in the NBA, a true declaration to his hard work and dedication to the game.

7. Byron Beck

The Ellensburg native spent 10 solid seasons with Denver in the ABA and NBA.

Beck may not be atop this list when some of the current players wrap up their careers, but until that time, Beck's hustle and consistency places him in the top 10.

Byron averaged 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds during his service in both the ABA and NBA.

6. Nate Robinson

NEW YORK - JANUARY 23: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks dribbles upcourt during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Madison Square Garden January 23, 2009 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Nate Robinson is the second player out the list of greats from Rainier Beach. Robinson helped lead his high school to a state championship.

Nate stayed in state and became a Huskie after his high school career. He quickly caught the nations eye with his speed and ability to jump out of the gym.

The Phoenix Suns drafted Robinson in 2005, but traded the pick away to the New York Knicks.

Nate has spent much of the early part of his career on the bench, providing great energy once he is in the game.

Under new coach Dantoni and his fast paced offense, Nate has begun to shine though, averaging a career high in points (17.2), rebounds (3.9), and assists (4.1) this past season.

5. Jamal Crawford

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 16: Jamal Crawford #6 of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during an NBA game on January 16, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

Another player from Rainier Beach High School, Crawford shares a similar scorers mentality like fellow Washingtonian Jason Terry.

After playing just one season at the University of Michigan, Crawford elected for the NBA Draft, where he was selected eighth overall by the Bulls.

His career began rather slow, averaging well under 10 points a game during his first three seasons.

Once he was traded to New York, Jamal exploded as one of the true scorers in the league.

For his career, Crawford has averaged 15.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game.

4. Jason Terry

NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 20: Jason Terry #31 of the Dallas Mavericks drives the ball around Bobby Jackson #8 of the New Orleans Hornets on February 20, 2008 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Mavericks 104-93. NO

Jason Terry has become one of the better three point shooters in the NBA today, making over 38 percent of his shots from behind the arc.

Terry was also drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 1999 draft.

During both his time in Atlanta and now Dallas, his scoring has been his greatest attribute.

Terry helped lead the Mavericks to the NBA finals against the Heat, scoring nearly 20 points during that playoff run.

Just recently, Jason has taken on a new role with Dallas as he now comes off the bench.

The former Wildcat did not miss a beat though, being named the Sixth Man of the Year this past season.

3. James Edwards

INGLEWOOD, CA - 1988: James Edwards #53 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Edwards' career length (19 seasons) and quality play has placed him as the third best player out of Washington.

James also attended the University of Washington where he was then drafted by the Lakers in the third round.

During his lengthy career, Edwards nearly 13 points and five rebounds for a variety of teams in the league.

His greatest play came during two different stretches of his career where he averaged almost 16 points with Indiana, and nearly 15 points during his time with the Suns.