List of NBA players born outside the United States


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. 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 American parents and players who became naturalized U.S. citizens are also included in that section. In some borderline cases, the NBA takes into consideration whether a player desires to be identified as international.
Hank Biasatti, who was born in Italy and raised in Canada, and Charlie Hoefer, Biasatti's German teammate, were the first international players in the league in 1946. 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 the opening day of the 1991–92 season, NBA rosters included 23 international players from 18 countries. At the start of the, there was a record-high 113 international players from 41 countries and territories. In the start of the, 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.
The number of players on opening-night rosters broke an all-time league record first set in and tied in, and the number of countries represented surpassed the record set in 2010–11. 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. The record number of international players was broken again in, with a total of 120 players from 40 countries on opening night rosters.
Including the United States, 94 countries have produced at least one NBA player in total. As of the, Canada has produced the most foreign NBA players, with 68. From European countries, France has produced 58 players, Serbia has produced 33, Croatia has produced 24, and Germany and Spain have produced 21. From Oceania, Australia has produced 37 players while New Zealand has produced 3 players. From African countries, Nigeria and Senegal have produced 30 and 14 players respectively. From Latin America, Puerto Rico has produced 21 players, Brazil has produced 20, and Argentina has produced 16. From Asian countries, China has produced 9 players, while Japan and Lebanon have produced 6. Among transcontinental countries, Turkey, Russia, and Georgia have produced 16, 15 and 11 players respectively.

Summary

Africa

Americas

Asia

Europe

Oceania

List

''Note: This list is correct through the beginning of the.''

NBA

  • List of foreign NBA coaches
  • Lists of NBA players
  • *List of current NBA players
  • List of NBA players by country:
  • *List of Australian NBA players
  • *List of Canadian NBA players
  • *List of Croatian NBA players
  • *List of French NBA players
  • *List of Greek NBA players
  • *List of Italian NBA players
  • *List of Lithuanian NBA players
  • *List of Montenegrin NBA players
  • *List of Serbian NBA players
  • *List of Turkish NBA players
  • Race and ethnicity in the NBA

    Other leagues

  • List of foreign basketball players in Serbia
  • Foreign players in the National Football League
  • List of foreign WNBA players
  • List of NHL statistical leaders by country
  • List of countries with their first Major League Baseball player
  • List of current Major League Baseball players by nationality