The guy who made me get up onto my hindlegs and notice that bass was a thing was JJB.
Then Bruce Foxton at around the same time.
I joined a band as a rhythm guitarist and the bassist was (and still is) an extraordinary musician - I was mesmerised.
But the pro who I really fell for and still love the best is Bruce Thomas from his time in the Attractions.
I now have a longer list (thanks to Basschat) with Entwistle, Watt-Roy, Dart, Jamerson, Edwards, Dunn, McCartney, Jones, Kaye, Osborne.
Only criteria for me is liking the band or music they play in. I don't see music as a clinical, technical exercise, so if the music leaves me cold no matter how good the player (Jaco, Mark King for example) I won't learn much from them.