NBA Rosters Make History with Record 135 International Players from 43 Countries and Six Continents
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has made history for the 2025-26 season with a record 135 international players on opening-night rosters. This marks a significant milestone as these players hail from 43 countries across six continents.
International Player Representation
Among the 135 international athletes, a notable 71 are European. This includes a record number of 19 players from France and four from the United Kingdom. Australia contributes 13 players, tying its own previous record.
The trend of featuring a high number of international players continues, with at least 120 international athletes on rosters for the fifth consecutive season, and over 100 players represented for the twelfth consecutive year. All 30 NBA teams have at least one international player.
Countries with the Most Players
Canada remains the country with the highest representation outside the United States, contributing 23 players for the twelfth straight season. The following countries are also well-represented:
- France: 19 players
- Australia: 13 players
- Germany: 7 players
- Serbia: 6 players
The Atlanta Hawks have the highest count with 10 international players, closely followed by the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors, each having seven players.
Notable International Players
This season features several star players with international backgrounds, including:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) – Milwaukee Bucks
- Nikola Jokić (Serbia) – Denver Nuggets
- Luka Dončić (Slovenia) – Los Angeles Lakers
- Victor Wembanyama (France) – San Antonio Spurs
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada) – Oklahoma City Thunder
The league also includes over 55 players with ties to Africa, showcasing the global nature of the NBA. This group includes Joel Embiid from Cameroon and Pascal Siakam, also from Cameroon.
MVP and All-Star Representation
International players have dominated in recent MVP contests, with four grabbing the title over the last seven seasons. This includes:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2024-25)
- Nikola Jokić (2021-22, 2020-21)
- Joel Embiid (2022-23)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019-20, 2018-19)
Furthermore, 16 international players have earned NBA All-Star status, highlighting their significant impact in the league.
Future of International Players in the NBA
Looking ahead, players like Wembanyama, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jokić are viewed as the top candidates for the 2025-26 MVP Award. The season also boasts a record nine NBA Academy alumni and over 50 participants from Basketball Without Borders.
With the 2025-26 NBA season kicking off, fans around the world can look forward to watching a diverse and talented mix of players from varying countries and backgrounds, showcasing the global appeal of basketball.
