Located outside of Chicago with a population of about 26,000, Proviso, Illinois, has a very good percentage when it comes to producing top-flight basketball talent. Nine NBA players, four of whom have championship rings? Not only that, for four straight years, a player or coach with Proviso East High School ties has won a NBA title. There are major American cities that can't compete with that track record.
Best player produced: There are certainly many to choose from, but we'll go with Doc Rivers because of his success both as a player and coach. Rivers was a steady NBA point guard for 13 years. He ran offenses competently and held his own as a player and leader next to all-time greats like Dominique Wilkins, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
He's also had a successful run as a head coach, winning a title and reaching the Finals one other time with the Boston Celtics.
Other notables: Michael Finley, Shannon Brown, Sherell Ford, Dee Brown, Steven Hunter, Reggie Jordan, Donnie Boyce.
Best player you never heard of: Jim Brewer, Rivers' uncle, is credited with starting the Proviso East tradition, leading the team to a state title in 1969 by averaging a double-double in the title series. He was a star at the University of Minnesota, he was part of a L.A. Lakers title team and he won a Euroleague title overseas. He was also part of the controversial gold medal game in the 1972 Olympics when the Soviet Union beat the United States on a disputed final play.
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