Has there ever been an NBA player from Montana?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: September 2026

Yes, there have been several professional basketball players born or raised in the state of Montana who successfully reached the National Basketball Association. Among the most prominent and legendary figures in basketball history is Phil Jackson, who was born in Deer Lodge, Montana. Although his playing career and iconic coaching tenure made him a global basketball icon with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, his roots trace back to the Treasure State. Other notable players who either originated from the state or played college basketball locally include players like Larry Krystkowiak from Missoula, who carved out a solid multi-year career as a gritty power forward before transitioning into coaching, and Mike Lewis, who played in the league during the late 1960s and 1970s. These individuals proved that exceptional basketball talent could emerge from a state better known for its wide-open spaces, rural charm, and outdoor recreation, inspiring successive generations of youth basketball players across the region.

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