List of foreign NBA players


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, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, are considered international players even if they are U.S. citizens. 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, was the first international player 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 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.
This list includes all international players who have played in the NBA and also includes all players who were born in the United States but have represented other countries in international basketball competition. Players listed under the 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.
As of the, among foreign players, excluding those born in the United States: Canada has produced the most players, with 49. From European countries, Serbia and France have produced 31 and 33 players, respectively. Among trans-continental countries, Russia and Turkey have produced 13 & 11 players respectively. From South American countries, Brazil has produced 16 players. From African countries, Senegal has produced 10 players and Nigeria has produced 20 players. Australia has produced 24 players, and China has produced six players. At least 78 players have come from the former Yugoslavia.
Africa
TerritoryNo. of PlayersNotes
21Includes 12 foreign-born Nigerians
12Includers 1 U.S.-born Senegalese
4
4
3
2
2
2Includes 2 U.S.-born Libyan
2
2Includes 1 foreign-born South Sudanese
1
1
1
1
1

Americas
TerritoryNo. of PlayersNotes
49Includes 9 foreign-born Canadians
17Includes 1 U.S.-born Brazilian
12
9Includes 2 U.S.-born Dominicans
8Includes 4 U.S.-born Jamaicans
6Includes 4 foreign-born Venezuelans
5Includes 1 U.S.-born Mexican
5
4Includes 2 U.S.-born Panamanians
4Includes 2 U.S.-born Virgin Islander
3Includes 3 U.S.-born Belizeans
3
2
2
2Includes 1 U.S.-born Trinidadian
1Includes 1 U.S.-born Antiguan
1
1

Asia & the Pacific
TerritoryNo. of PlayersNotes
25Includes 6 foreign-born Australians
6
5Includes 2 U.S.-born Japanese
4Includes 3 U.S.-born Lebanese
3
3Includes 3 U.S.-born Filipinos
2Includes 2 U.S.-born Qataris
1
1

Europe
TerritoryNo. of PlayersNotes
33Includes 5 foreign-born French
31Includes 10 foreign-born Serbians
22Includes 8 foreign-born Croatians
18Includes 2 U.S.-born Germans
17Includes 3 foreign-born Spaniards
13Includes 4 foreign-born Greek
13Includes 4 foreign-born Russians
12Includes 3 foreign-born Britons
12Includes 1 U.S.-born Lithuanian
12Includes 1 foreign-born Slovenian
12Includes 4 foreign-born Turks
11Includes 4 U.S.-born Italians
10Includes 5 U.S.-born Georgians
9Includes 2 foreign-born Ukrainians
8Includes 4 foreign-born Montenegrins
7
6Includes 2 foreign-born Bosnians
5
4
5Includes 3 U.S.-born Macedonians
4Includes 1 U.S.-born Polish
3Includes 2 U.S.-born Bulgarians
3Includes 1 foreign-born Finn
3Includes 2 U.S.-born Irishmen
3
2
2
1
1
1
1Includes 1 U.S.-born Belarusian
1Includes 1 foreign-born Belgian
1
1
1
1

List

Note: This list is correct through the start of the.