If you’re a basketball fan, you know that the National Basketball Association (NBA) has seen some amazing players throughout its history, many of whom have made their mark in the sport forever.
One particular group of players that stands out is the white players, who have significantly impacted the game.
This article will look at the ten best white NBA players of all time. Let’s get right into it!
10 Best White NBA Players of All Time
If you’re a fan of the NBA, chances are you’ve heard of some of the greatest white players ever to grace the hardwood.
Whether it’s Jerry West’s iconic fadeaway, Steve Nash’s pinpoint passing, or Larry Bird’s legendary trash talk, these players have left an unforgettable mark on the game.
And this article is going to provide a list with details of the top 10 white players in the history of the NBA.
From dominant centers to crafty point guards, these players hugely impacted the game.
1. Larry Bird
| Full Name | Larry Joe Bird |
| Nick Name | Kodak, Larry Legend, and the Hick from French Lick |
| Date of Birth | December 7, 1956 |
| Current Age | 66 Years (As of 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | West Baden, Indiana, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Residence | West Baden Springs |
| Education | High school: Springs Valley High School (French Lick, Indiana) College: Indiana State University (1976-79) |
| Profession | American Former Professional Basketball Player |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife/Girlfriend | 1st Wife: Janet Condra (1975) 2nd and Present Wife: Dinah Mattingly (1989) |
| Children | Name: Corrie Bird, Mariah Bird, and Connor Bird |
| Height | In Meter: 2.06 mIn Centimeter: 206 cm In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 9 Inches |
| Weight | In Kg: 99.8 KgIn Pounds: 220 lbs |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Grey |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Net Worth | $80 Million |
Larry Bird was an absolute legend and one of the best to ever step on the court.
He is one of the greatest players ever to play the game and the best white NBA player of all time.
He was with the Boston Celtics from 1980-1992, playing both Small Forward and Power Forward.
During his time with the Boston Celtics, he was an absolute thrill to watch, averaging an impressive 24.3 points, 10.0 total rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.
Incredible! It’s no wonder why he won the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
His prowess on the court was unparalleled, and he remains a basketball legend.
Larry Bird’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- NBA Player of the Week: 15
- All-NBA: 10
- NBA Player of the Month: 7
- All-Defensive Team: 3
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 3
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 1
- Olympic Gold Medal: 1
- NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player: 1
- Hall of Fame Inductee: 1
- All-Rookie Team: 1
2. Jerry West
| Full Name | Jerome Alan West |
| Nick Name | Mr. Clutch |
| Date of Birth | 28 May 1938 |
| Current Age | 84 Years (As of 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Cheylan, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Residence | Chelyan, Ladera Heights, Bel Air |
| Education | High School: East Bank High School University: West Virginia University |
| Profession | American Professional Basketball Player |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Wife 1: Karen West Wife 2: Martha Jane Kane |
| Children | 5 |
| Height | In Meter: 1.91 In Centimeter: 191In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 3 Inch |
| Weight | In Kg: 79In Pounds: 175 lbs |
| Hair Color | White |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Ethnicity | N/A |
| Net Worth | $55 Million |
Have you ever been amazed at what it was like for Jerry West to coach the same team he served as a point guard for?
The legendary player spent more than two decades in the NBA, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to nine NBA finals.
During his career, he scored an impressive 932 points, had 5.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
Clearly, West had all the skills necessary to become one of the 10 best white NBA players of all time.
Jerry West’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- All-NBA: 12
- All-Defensive Team: 5
- Hall of Fame Inductee: 1
- NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player: 1
- NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: 1
- Olympic Gold Medal: 1
3. Bob Pettit
| Full Name | Robert E. Lee Pettit, Jr. |
| Nick Name | Big Blue |
| Date of Birth | 12 December 1932 |
| Current Age | 91 Years (As of 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Residence | Baton Rouge |
| Education | High School: Baton Rouge Magnet High School University: Louisiana State University |
| Profession | American Professional Basketball Player |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Carole Crowell |
| Children | 3 |
| Height | In Meter: 2.06 In Centimeters: 206 In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 9 Inch |
| Weight | In Kg: 93In Pounds: 205 lbs |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Net Worth | $2.5 Million |
Bob Pettit is a legendary NBA star who has achieved immense success in his career.
During his career, he played for the Milwaukee Hawks and St. Louis Hawks, retiring in 1965 after being drafted as the second pick in the first round of 1954.
During his 11-year career, he played for the Milwaukee Hawks and St. Louis Hawks before retiring in 1965.
But what was most remarkable about Bob Pettit was his incredible stats: 792 games, 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
It’s no wonder why he is considered one of the best white NBA players ever.
Bob Pettit’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- All-NBA: 11
- NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player: 4
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 2
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 1
- Hall of Fame Inductee: 1
4. George Mikan
| Full Name | George Lawrence Mikan |
| Nick Name | Mr. Basketball |
| Date of Birth | 18 June 1924 |
| Current Age | 81 Years (Died) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Joliet, Ill., U.S. |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Residence | Joliet, U.S |
| Education | High School: Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Illinois) College: DePaul (1942–1946) |
| Profession | American Professional Basketball Player |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Patricia Lu Deveny |
| Children | 1 |
| Height | In Meters: 1.85 In Centimeters: 185 In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 1 Inch |
| Weight | In Kg: 111In Pounds: 245 lbs |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Ethnicity | Croatian Americans |
| Net Worth | $1.5 Million |
George Mikan was an NBA pioneer and one of the greatest players of all time.
He was one of the first real superstars of the NBA and changed the game forever with his style of play and dominance.
He was a player that could do it all, from scoring to rebounding to passing. His accomplishments are legendary, from being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to being named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players.
His legacy lives on with the statue of him shooting his signature hook shot that graces the entrance of the Minnesota Timberwolves Target Center.
Mikan’s impact on the game of basketball is huge, and basketball players and fans around the world will remember him forever as one of the most fascinating players in the history of the sport.
George Mikan’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- All-NBA: 7
- NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award: 1
- BAA, and NBA Championships
- All-Star MVP Trophy
- 3 scoring Titles
5. John Havlicek
| Full Name | John Joseph Havlicek |
| Nick Name | Hondo |
| Date of Birth | April 8, 1940 |
| Aged (Died) | Aged 79 (Died: April 25, 2019) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Martins Ferry, Ohio, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Residence | N/A |
| Education | School: Bridgeport High School College: The Ohio State University |
| Profession | American Professional Basketball Player |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| Wife/Girlfriend | – |
| Children | – |
| Height | In Meters: 1.96 mIn Centimeter: 196 cm In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 5 Inches |
| Weight | In Kg: 92 kg In Pounds: 200 lbs |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
Have you ever wondered how John Havlicek, one of the 10 Best White NBA Players of All Time, made such an impact on basketball?
Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1962 as a small forward, Havlicek was a force to be reckoned with, picking up the MVP title in 1974 and playing until 1978.
Even after his retirement, Havlicek still managed to leave a lasting impact on the game, with 1270 games played and a total of 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 20.8 points per game.
Sadly, Havlicek passed away due to Parkinson’s in 2019, but his legacy lives on.
John Havlicek’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- NBA All-Star: 13
- NBA champion: 8
- All-NBA Second Team: 7
- NBA All-Defensive First Team: 5
- All-NBA First Team: 4
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 3
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1
- NBA Finals MVP: 1
6. Steve Nash
| Full Name | Stephen John Nash |
| Nick Name | Captain Canada, Nashty, Kid Canada, etc. |
| Date of Birth | February 7, 1974 |
| Current Age | 48 Years (As of 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Residence | Johannesburg |
| Education | School: St. Michaels University SchoolAnd Mount Douglas SecondaryUniversity: Santa Clara University |
| Profession | South African-born Canadian Former Professional Basketball Player |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | Canadian/British |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| Wife/Girlfriend | – |
| Children | – |
| Height | In Meter: 1.91 m In Centimeter: 191 cm In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 3 Inches |
| Weight | In Kg: 81 kg In Pounds: 180 lbs |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Grey |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Net Worth | $120 Million |
No doubt, Stephen John Nash is one of the most talented and renowned white NBA players of all time.
He is a two-time MVP, having played for the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks.
His stats speak for themselves: 1217 games, 14.3 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, and 8.5 assists per game.
Now, John Nash is a coach for the Brooklyn Nets and is still remembered as one of the best in the game.
John Nash’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- NBA All-Star: 8
- NBA Assists Leader: 5
- 50–40–90 Club: 4
- All-NBA First Team: 3
- All-NBA Second Team: 2
- All-NBA Third Team: 2
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 2
- Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor
7. John Stockton
| Full Name | John Houston Stockton |
| Nick Name | Stock |
| Date of Birth | March 26, 1962 |
| Current Age | 60 years (As of 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Residence | Spokane |
| Education | School: Gonzaga Preparatory SchoolCollege: Gonzaga University |
| Profession | American Former Professional Basketball Player |
| Religion | Catholicism |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Nada Stepovich |
| Children | N/A |
| Height | In Meters: 1.85 m In Centimeter: 185 cm In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | In Kg: 79 kg In Pounds: 175 lb |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Net Worth | $45 Million |
John Stockton is one of the greatest NBA players of all time and a definite top 10 pick for best white NBA players.
Along with his entire professional career with the Utah Jazz, he was a point guard from 1984-2003.
He was one of the most reliable players in the league, ranking second all-time in assists, with 10.5 per game, and third all-time in steals, with 2.7 per game.
His total career points, 1004, are a testament to his skill and longevity.
Many people don’t know that, during his career, Stockton was also awarded 10 All-Star game appearances and two All-NBA first-team selections.
That’s a pretty impressive record!
John Stockton’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- NBA All-Star: 10
- NBA Assists Leader: 9
- All-NBA Second Team: 6
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 5
- All-NBA Third Team: 3
- All-NBA First Team: 2
- NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1
8. Rick Barry
| Full Name | Richard Francis Dennis Barry III |
| Nick Name | Miami Greyhound |
| Date of Birth | March 28, 1944 |
| Current Age | 78 years (As of 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Residence | Elizabeth |
| Education | School: Roselle Park High SchoolCollege: University of Miami |
| Profession | American Retired Professional Basketball Player |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| Wife/Girlfriend | – |
| Children | – |
| Height | In Meter: 2.01 m In Centimeter: 201 cm In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 7 in |
| Weight | In Kg: 93 kg In Pounds: 205 lb |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Net Worth | $3 Million |
Rick Barry was an eight-time All-Star, five-time first-team All-NBA, and one-time second-team.
He won championships with the San Francisco Warriors and three with the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
He was also the 1967 scoring champion, and 1975 steals champion. His free-throw percentage was legendary, and he was the 1966 Rookie of the Year.
Barry’s career was nothing short of amazing, and he left an incredible legacy for all white players to follow.
Rick Barry’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- NBA All-Star: 8
- All-NBA First Team: 5
- ABA All-Star: 4
- All-NBA Second Team: 1
- NBA Finals MVP: 1
- NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1
- NBA Champion: 1
- ABA Champion: 1
9. Dave Cowens
| Full Name | David William Cowens |
| Nick Name | N/A |
| Date of Birth | October 25, 1948 |
| Current Age | 74 years (As of 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Newport, Kentucky, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Residence | Newport |
| Education | High School: Newport Catholic, (Newport, Kentucky) College: Florida State University |
| Profession | American Former Professional Basketball Player and Coach (NBA) |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Wife: Deby Cowens |
| Children | 2 |
| Height | In Meters: 2.06 m In CentimeterS: 206 cm In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 9 in |
| Weight | In Kg: 104 kg In Pounds: 230 lb |
| Hair Color | Grey |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Net Worth | $12 Million |
Dave Cowens was an absolute force on the court, dominating the paint with 18.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game.
He was a two-time champion with the Boston Celtics and an eight-time All-Star and was even named the MVP in 1973 and Rookie of the Year in 1971.
He was so beloved by Celtics fans that the team retired his #18 jersey.
A true giant of the game, Dave Cowens is undoubtedly one of the 10 best white NBA players of all time.
Dave Cowens’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- NBA All-Star: 8
- NBA Champion: 2
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 1
- NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1
- All-NBA Second Team: 3
- NBA All-Defensive First Team: 1
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 2
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 1
10. Kevin McHale
| Full Name | Kevin Edward McHale |
| Nick Name | The Black Hole |
| Date of Birth | December 19, 1957 |
| Current Age | 65 Years (As of 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Hibbing, Minnesota, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Residence | Hibbing |
| Education | University of Minnesota |
| Profession | American Former Professional Basketball player and Coach |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| Wife/Girlfriend | – |
| Children | – |
| Height | In Meter: 2.08 m In Centimeter: 208 cm In Feet and Inches: 6 ft 10 Inches |
| Weight | In Kg: 95 kg In Pounds: 210 lbs |
| Hair Color | N/A |
| Eye Color | N/A |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Net Worth | $16 Million |
Kevin McHale is one of those guys that had an incredible career in the NBA.
Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1980, McHale was an instant hit as a power forward, with 971 games played and scoring 17.9 points per game.
Not only that, but he was a great rebounder and passer, too, snagging 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
After his playing days were over, McHale moved into coaching, taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets between 2005 and 2010.
He’s definitely one of the 10 best white NBA players of all time!
Kevin McHale’s Glorious Achievements (Awards):
- NBA All-Star: 7
- NBA Champion: 3
- NBA All-Defensive First Team: 3
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 3
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year: 2
- All-NBA First Team: 1
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1
- NBA Anniversary Team
Conclusion
All in all, these 10 players have cemented their place in the NBA’s history books.
From their outstanding performances and impressive longevity to their impact on the game, they’re all legendary figures.
Each of them has earned the right to be called one of the 10 best white NBA players of all time.
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