NAGPUR: The National Basketball Association (NBA) has proven its appeal as a truly global league, inspiring fans and players from all corners of the world to unite in the love of basketball.
The NBA’s 75th anniversary season celebrates the growth of basketball over the years, which is evident with the growing number of international players participating in the league.
2021-22 marks the eighth consecutive season in which opening night teams included at least 100 international players. The number of international players in the NBA fell from five in the league’s first season in 1946-47 to a record 113 at the start of the 2016-17 season. Currently, the NBA has 109 international players from 39 countries. The Toronto Raptors have a record 10 international players, followed by the Dallas Mavericks (7) and Oklahoma City Thunder (7).
The numbers also reflect the quality. For the past three seasons, international players have won the KIA Most Valuable Player award, with Serbian Nikola Jokic the reigning MVP. Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo won consecutive MVP trophies in 2019 and 2020 and is the reigning MVP of the NBA Finals.
Along with that, the previous season saw several international players make the All-NBA team, showing that these players are arguably some of the best in the sport at the moment. In addition to Antetokounmpo and Jokic, the league included Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Joel Embiid (Cameroon) and three-time defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert (France) on the 2020-21 All-NBA team.
In previous seasons, the league has seen Ben Simmons (Australia), Pascal Siakam (Nigeria), Tony Parker (France), Marc and Pau Gasol (Spain), among others, appear on All-Star Games and All-NBA teams.
Many American-born players trace their ancestors around the world, with more than 30 league players having an African father. These players include Bam Adebayo (links to Nigeria), Karl-Anthony Towns (links to Dominican Republic), Kemba Walker (links to Antigua), among many others. Some players also have a legacy in Asian countries like the Philippines, as well as Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz and the second overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets.
The NBA is committed to talent from around the world. The NBA Academy is a shining example, with NBA Academy graduate Josh Giddey being drafted into the league in 2021. At the same time, the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders initiative in conjunction with FIBA produced 35 alumni. BWB players in the league in recent years.
The talent pool is constantly evolving and the NBA is looking to recruit more young talent from around the world.
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