Global InformationList of NBA players born outside the United States information
In the National Basketball Association, players born outside of the United States are often known as international players. Players who were born in U.S. overseas territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are considered international players even if they are U.S. citizens.[1][2][3][4] In some borderline cases, the NBA takes into consideration whether a player desires to be identified as international.[1] Additionally, there are players who are U.S. citizens on account of being born there but who also have additional citizenships or have represented other countries in international basketball competition. This list contains all players who fulfill at least one of these conditions.
Players whose nationality is listed as United States were born outside of the country but have represented them in international basketball tournament. Players who were born outside the United States to U.S. parents and players who became naturalized U.S. citizens are also included in that section.
Hank Biasatti, who was born in Italy and raised in Canada, was the first international player in the league in 1946.[5] The number of international players in the league rose after the formation of the Dream Team when NBA players were allowed into Olympic play starting in 1992. Global interest in basketball subsequently soared. On opening day of the 1991–92 season, NBA rosters included 23 international players from 18 countries.[6] At the start of the 2016–17 season, there was a record-high 113 international players from 41 countries and territories.[7] In the start of the 2017–18 season, there were 108 international players from a record-high 42 countries and territories, including five players signed up through the newly implemented two-way contract.[8]
The number of players on opening-night rosters broke an all-time league record first set in 2010–11 and tied in 2012–13,[9] and the number of countries represented surpassed the record set in 2010–11.[10] In addition, the San Antonio Spurs set an all-time record for international players on an opening-night squad, with 10 during the 2013–14 season.[10] The record number of international players was broken again in 2022–23, with a total of 120 players from 40 countries on opening night rosters.[11]
As of the 2023–24 season, Canada has produced the most foreign NBA players, with 62. From European countries, France has produced 47 players, Serbia has produced 33, Croatia has produced 23 and Spain has produced 20. From Oceania, Australia has produced 33 players while New Zealand has produced 3 players. From African countries, Nigeria and Senegal have produced 30 and 14 players respectively. From Latin America, Brazil and Puerto Rico have produced 20 players each, and Argentina has produced 16. From Asian countries, China has produced 7 players, while Lebanon has produced 6 and Japan has produced 5. Among transcontinental countries, Turkey, Russia, and Georgia have produced 15, 13 and 11 players respectively.
Including the United States, 92 countries have produced at least one NBA player in total.
- ^ a b "Monday Bullets". ESPN.com. April 30, 2007. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014.
NBA VP of International Relations Terry Lyons explains that after encountering several tough cases, the league simply decided to "draw a circle around the fifty states" and say that if you weren't from there (by birth, upbringing, passport, etc.) you counted as an international player.
- ^ "Season opens with record 84 international players" (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ "Overseas Players Courted by N.B.A." The New York Times. Associated Press. June 26, 2005. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022.
- ^ Madhok, Karan. "NBA India Blog: Karan Madhok". NBA.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2010.
- ^ Diallo, Mariama (February 17, 2011). "International Players' Impact on NBA Grows in Past Two Decades". VOANews.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012.
- ^ Longman, Jere (July 28, 2012). "N.B.A. Looks to Wake Up From 20-Year Dream". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012.
- ^ "NBA rosters feature record 113 international players and 41 countries and territories" (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- ^ "NBA rostersfeature 108 international players from record 42 countries and territories" (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ "Record-Tying 84 International Players on 2012–13 Opening-Night NBA Rosters" (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 30, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ a b "NBA Tips Off 2013–14 Season With Record International Player Presence" (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 29, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
- ^ "NBA rosters feature 120 international players from 40 countries" (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 18, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.