What we’re looking at here is not just a list of the best white basketball players in NBA history — we are looking at the BEST players from all races, regardless of their skin color. In this way, you will see that some of these players made the list because they were great in their own time and some made it for a variety of other reasons.
Top 10 White Players in NBA History
The NBA has been home to some of the greatest basketball players of all time. Many of these players have been African American, but there have also been some great white players throughout history.
9 – Drazen Petrovic
Drazen Petrovic was one of the best shooters in NBA history. He was a sharpshooter from Croatia who played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Jersey Nets.
Petrovic known for his quick release and deadly accuracy. He was an excellent three-point shooter, and he also had a knack for scoring in the clutch. Petrovic named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1992-93, and he posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Petrovic tragically died in a car accident in 1993, but his legacy as one of the best white players in NBA history lives on.
8 – Mark Price
Mark Price was one of the best shooters in NBA history. He was a sharpshooter from long range and could also score inside the paint. Price was a four-time All-Star and won an Olympic gold medal in 1988.
7 – George Yardley
George Yardley was one of the best white basketball players in NBA history. He played for the Detroit Pistons and the Fort Wayne Pistons from 1951 to 1958.
Yardley a six-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team three times. He was also the first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in a season.
Yardley was an excellent shooter and a good rebounder. He was also a good defender. He inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.
6 – Anthony Mason
Anthony Mason was one of the best white basketball players in NBA history. He was a 6’7″ power forward who played for the New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Mason known for his physical style of play. He was a strong rebounder and defender. Mason was also a good scorer, averaging over 10 points per game in his career.
Mason named an All-Star in 2001. He also won the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1995.
Mason’s best season came in 1996-97, when he averaged 17.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game for the Hornets. He helped lead Charlotte to the playoffs that year.
Mason retired from the NBA in 2006. He finished his career with 8,487 points and 4,569 rebounds.
5 – Todd MacCulloch
Todd MacCulloch was a 7-foot center who played for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets from 1999-2005. He known for his shooting touch and was one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA.
MacCulloch was born in Winnipeg, Canada and played collegiately at the University of Washington. He drafted by the Sixers in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft.
MacCulloch had his best season in 2001-02, when he averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He helped the Sixers reach the NBA Finals that year, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
After four seasons with the Sixers, MacCulloch signed with the Nets as a free agent in 2003. He played two seasons with the Nets before retiring due to injuries in 2005.
Overall, Todd MacCulloch was a very good player during his brief NBA career. He was a great shooter and a solid rebounder. While he never won an NBA title, he had a very successful career nonetheless.
4 – Steve Nash
Steve Nash is widely considered one of the best white basketball players in NBA history. He was a two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star. Nash was also a member of the “50–40–90 club” (percentage of free throws, three-pointers, and field goals made in a season).
Nash was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but he moved to Canada with his family when he was 18 months old. He grew up playing hockey and didn’t start playing basketball until he was 12 years old. Nash quickly developed into a very good player. He played college basketball at Santa Clara University and was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1996.
Nash had a very successful NBA career. He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998 and won his first MVP award in 2004-05. Nash then signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2004 and won his second MVP award in 2005-06. He helped lead the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2006, but they lost to the Miami Heat in six games.
Nash retired from the NBA in 2015 after 19 seasons. He is currently ranked 14th all-time in assists per game and is one of only 10 players to have recorded more
3 – Sam Jones
Sam Jones is widely considered to be one of the best white basketball players in NBA history.
A 6-foot-4 shooting guard, Jones was a 10-time NBA All-Star and a member of the Boston Celtics’ legendary 1960s teams that won 10 championships in 12 seasons. Jones was known for his clutch shooting, especially in the playoffs. He was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.
Jones was born in Philadelphia and played college basketball at North Carolina Central University. He was drafted by the Celtics in 1957 and spent his entire 12-year NBA career with the team.
After retiring from playing, Jones became a successful businessman. He owned several car dealerships and founded a successful real estate company. He also served as president of the Celtics from 1989 to 1992.
Jones passed away in 2020 at the age of 88. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest white players in NBA history.
2 – Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman is one of the best white basketball players in NBA history. He was an excellent rebounder and defender, and helped the Detroit Pistons win two NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990.
Rodman was born in Trenton, Michigan, in 1961. He played college basketball at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft.
Rodman made an immediate impact with the Pistons, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game as a rookie. He became known for his aggressive style of play, and his ability to get under opponents’ skin. He helped the Pistons win back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990.
Who is the Top white basketball player of all time?
In a sport that is increasingly dominated by African-American athletes, it’s easy to forget that there have been some great white players in NBA history. Here’s a look at the best of the best.
- Larry Bird
Arguably the greatest white player in NBA history, Bird was a 12-time All-Star and three-time MVP during his storied career with the Boston Celtics. He helped lead the team to three championships in the 1980s, and his rivalry with Magic Johnson is considered one of the greatest in NBA history.
Conclusion
The NBA has seen some great white Basketball Players over the years, and this list highlights some of the best. From all-time greats like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson to modern stars like Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving, these players have left their mark on the game of basketball. If you’re a fan of the NBA, be sure to check out this list of the best white players in history.