Basketball has truly evolved beyond borders, as international talent in the NBA is at an all-time high. We’ve seen guys like Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol come to the NBA and prove that elite talent doesn’t just reside on American soil. Those three, along with pioneers like Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dikembe Mutombo, and Drazen Petrovic have paved the way for many of the young stars in the NBA today. We’ve seen African native Joel Embiid draw comparisons to Olajuwon, while European Kristaps Porzingis has flashed shades of Nowitzki in his game. These legends and many others are the reason for the NBA’s spike in imported talent.
We’ve seen Giannis Antetokounmpo aka “The Greek Freak” take the league by storm in his first few seasons, and there are more future superstars on their way. The favorite for the No. 1 pick of this year’s draft is Luka Dončić, a Slovenian native who plays in Spain for Real Madrid. The No. 1 rated player in high school is Steve Nash mentee and fellow Canadian R.J. Barrett, who’ll play at Duke this fall.
The best of the international group in the NBA is under the age of 23, and the common trend of international players is that they’re the full package. In addition to their physical traits, they bring a new crop of skill and awareness that the league has yet to see. Whether it’s the passing of Nikola Jokic, a 7-foot-3 forward in Porzingis, or the freak that is Antetokounmpo, the NBA is now home to a number of skilled, positionless players, who are taking the league by storm. Without further ado, here are the ten best foreign players in the NBA today.
Note that if you were born outside of the United States but grew up in the United States, you don’t qualify for this. Therefore, Kyrie Irving, who moved to the United States at two years old, is not eligible.
10. Goran Dragic
9. Rudy Gobert
8. Al Horford
7. Andrew Wiggins
6. Marc Gasol
5. Ben Simmons
4. Nikola Jokic
Team: Denver Nuggets
Country: Serbia
In case you don’t know, Nikola Jokic is the best passing big in the NBA. This is not up for discussion.
He’s averaging 5.7 assists per game as big man—more than All-Star point guards Kyrie Irving and Goran Dragic. Passing isn’t his only quality, though. The Serbia native is also averaging a double-double with 16.5 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. He can beat from beyond the arc or in the paint, and if you decide to double, he’ll find the open man nearly every time. If you haven’t heard of him yet, get used to his name.
3. Kristaps Porzingis
2. Joel Embiid
Team: Philadelphia Sixers
Country: Cameroon
Joel Embiid was a laughing stock at the beginning of his career, and even drew Greg Oden comparisons. Now he makes all opponents the butt of his jokes on social media—after he puts up 20 and 10 on their heads. Embiid is close to being crowned the best center in the league after two years, and those Oden comparisons have turned into Hakeem Olajuwon comparisons. There’s nothing to hate about the man. He backs up his talk and has embraced Philly culture like no other.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Country: Greece
The aforementioned Greek Freak. When LeBron James hangs it up, the favorite to assume the throne is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan (explain that, science), plus guard handles, guard speed, and unreal athleticism. He’s put the Milwaukee Bucks back on the map, averaging 27.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. An MVP is imminent in his career. Just look at this photo of him touching the rim and the ground; they don’t make boys like this in America.