Without question, the NBA has become an international league over the past couple of decades. While it only has one international team — the Toronto Raptors — the league has a much more international feel than it did in the past. A big part of that has to do with the number of players who’ve come from other countries to play for the league, including the most recent MVPs, Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019, 2020), Nikola Jokić (2021, 2022, 2024), and Joel Embiid (2023). These players hail from Greece/Nigeria, Serbia, and Cameroon respectively. International players have changed the league in many ways, including introducing new moves like the Eurostep.

International stars are not just adding diversity to NBA rosters; they’re excelling at record-breaking levels. As of the 2024 season, international players account for approximately 25% of all NBA players, with many holding critical roles on their teams. For instance, Luka Dončić ranked second in the league in scoring with 32.4 points per game last season, while Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to multiple top Eastern Conference finishes in recent years. These players aren’t just filling roster spots—they’re reshaping league dynamics.

There are 125 international players on this year’s NBA rosters, tying the record set in 2023 for the most non-American players at the opening of a season. These players represent 43 countries and six continents, including Australia, Germany, Cameroon, and France. As the new season gets underway, let’s take a look at the international talent shaping the NBA and increasing the sport’s popularity worldwide. 

Unique Approaches to the Game

International players have quickly become household names thanks to their impressive play in the NBA. Players like Luka Dončić from Slovenia are among the most popular players in the league and have brought new styles of play to the sport. In much the same way that the internet and online platforms have globalized poker, allowing players from around the world to come together to compete, the NBA has done the same. 

While poker is a mind sport and NBA a physical sport, both require players to have a deep understanding of strategy and a strong mental game to be successful. In poker, one of the biggest challenges for new players is finding a playing style that suits them, which is also true for players in the NBA and other sports. Many international players found their playing style early in their careers, and this has defined them for their fans over the years. 

Given their unique talents, it’s not surprising that the NBA is actively scouting international players and has started several initiatives such as NBA Global Games, Basketball Without Borders, and partnerships with FIBA as a way of identifying and mentoring promising players and expanding its presence worldwide. The NBA also finds talent through other professional leagues, including the EuroLeague and Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), whose players often get recruited into the NBA. 

The league even has its own development program for international prospects called the NBA Development League, which provides talented players with the tools they need to develop their abilities, helping them become NBA-caliber players. All of these efforts have reaped dividends for the league, increasing its global talent pool and cementing it as the premier destination for the world’s top players. 

Expanding the NBA’s Global Fanbase

While the NBA already has a large fanbase, it’s looking to expand, and the easiest way to do that is to reach international audiences. The increase in international players has been one of the league’s biggest selling points with its overseas fans. Superstars like Giannis and Dončić have increased NBA viewership in regions like Europe, Africa, and Asia. In fact, fans can now watch the NBA in over 200 countries, and many never miss an opportunity to see their favorite players compete, even if it means burning the midnight oil due to the time differences. 

Beyond the on-court performance, the presence of top international players has transformed NBA fan engagement. According to a recent report, NBA games are broadcast in over 200 countries, with live streaming and digital platforms allowing international fans to follow their favorite players more closely. This global exposure boosts merchandise sales and local partnerships, with cities like Athens, Ljubljana, and Douala fostering their own NBA fandom through stars like Giannis, Dončić, and Embiid.

As expected, this international expansion has had a positive impact on the NBA’s bottom line. It has also positioned the NBA as the world’s leading basketball league, and as it makes strategic moves to recruit more international talent, opportunities have opened up in new markets. 

As successful as the NBA has been at integrating international players, some challenges remain. When international players first enter the league, they sometimes struggle to adapt to the NBA’s physicality, pace, and culture. Language barriers can get in the way and homesickness often sets in as they transition from international basketball to the NBA. Still, the league has programs in place to make the change as smooth as possible, and as we’ve seen, many international players thrive in the new environment.