USA vs the World: How the NBA Has Evolved into a Global League

Is the NBA An American League?

For starters, yes, the NBA was originally a league exclusive to Americans. It did not take long for the NBA to bring an international player into the fold with Hank Biasatti entering the NBA as an Italian-born player who was raised in Canada. It did not take long for the NBA to have a wave of international players over the years, and it has now populated the league over the years.

Countries with the Most NBA Players (As of the 2024-25 Season)

Based on this data, Canada continues to lead the way for the most NBA players who have entered the game. Over the years, we have seen talents such as Steve Nash, followed by today’s modern talents such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, Andrew Wiggins, and many more. France comes second on the list with 52 players in the NBA over the years, which includes the latest two first consecutive picks in the draft in Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher.

Serbia, Croatia, Germany, and Spain have all added talents in the league as well, with some of those even becoming decorated stars in the NBA as time went by. Yes, international talents are increasingly dominating the NBA. In recent years, the league has seen a significant rise in the number of international players, and many of them have become some of the most dominant and impactful stars in the league.

At this point, international players aren’t merely making contributions in the NBA – but more of starting to reshape it as a whole. In fact, the whole league is seeing a different dynamic with international stars now dominating the league. This says a lot about how the NBA has become a different ground for international players to make their case, and it has changed the surface of the league.

International Players in the NBA Per Opening Night (LAST FIVE YEARS)

In fact, the 2023-24 season alone featured a record of 125 foreign players on opening night, which is the record for the NBA so far for most international players. That featured a total of 40 different countries and territories, with a record number from Canada (26) and France (14). All NBA teams have had at least one international player.

Are International Players Dominating the NBA?

There is plenty of proof that the NBA has seen a dominant stretch from international stars. If you are not impressed, the 2025 NBA All-Star Game has featured a total of seven foreign stars. That’s an understatement given that it’s just a small part of the stars who are from the United States. However, it is worth noting that the voting results showed how popular the international stars can be.

Most Voted Players in the 2025 All-Star Game (Min. 3 Million Votes)

Based on this data, four of the seven players to get at least three million votes have been from overseas, with Giannis Antetokounmpo being the only player to reach four million votes to top off the voting returns. That says a lot about the prominence of international stars as even Nikola Jokic took the second spot in most votes.

On top of that, only the Eastern Conference Backcourt wasn’t the position that an international star did not get the top vote. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the top vote-getter in the West Backcourt with 3,148,833, Antetokounmpo topped off the East Frontcourt, and Jokic led the West Frontcourt with 3,724,344 votes.

That says a lot about the prominence of foreign stars at this point in time, and if you are not even impressed, then perhaps the latest odds on the MVP race should be the nail in the coffin about the dominance of international stars?

2025 NBA MVP Odds (Updated as of February 20, 2025)

Well, the odds tell that SGA is going to be the runaway winner for the MVP at this point, and one can say that he’s definitely giving the NBA a nightmarish run so far with his massive performances over the course of the season – to the point that he is already going to be the top pick to win. On top of that, international stars round off the top three, and Tatum is the lone american in the top five so far.

To make this case even more reliable, the last six MVPs have been won by international players. Antetokounmpo has won it twice, Jokic has won it three times, and Joel Embiid from Cameroon won the 2022-23 award. At this point, it is expected that yet another international player will take the reins as the NBA’s best player.

Are International Stars the Future of the NBA?

The growing number of international players is not just a trend but a transformative shift that is reshaping the league’s landscape. The influx of elite international players has not only elevated the competition but also brought diverse playing styles and skill sets that enrich the game.

Ultimately, as international players continue to dominate, the NBA is evolving into a more diverse and competitive league that celebrates a broader range of playing styles and backgrounds. The growing international influence promises to make the NBA even more dynamic, both in terms of on-court play and its global cultural impact. The future of the league is undoubtedly tied to the contributions of international stars, who will continue to shape the game for years to come.

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