Residents of New Jersey would be hard pressed to believe the validity of the state’s nickname – The Garden State. However, a drive south on the turnpike or west on Route 78 will reveal acres of farmland which produce New Jersey’s main exports – crops, particularly tomatoes and blueberries. While New Jersey still exports crops throughout the country, in recent years the state’s main export has become basketball talent.
Kyrie Irving, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Karl-Anthony Towns who hail from the state have all been top-two picks in the NBA Draft and numerous other New Jersey stars have been drafted or played high-level college basketball.