The NBA has worked hard to market itself around the world, and the results are in — literally. The world’s best players come to the US to compete the way an American soccer player dreams of playing at Barcelona or Manchester United. All 30 NBA teams have an international player on the roster for the second straight season. There is no requirement by the league that each team have an international on the roster — it’s a merit-based system.
The Toronto Raptors have the most internationals with seven. The Cavs, T-Wolves, Spurs and Jazz each have six. The NBA says this season will begin with 100 international players on NBA rosters — from 37 countries and territories — further solidifying the NBA’s reputation as a diversified, global league where crowning a champion means crowning a World Champion. Canada, France, Brazil and Australia have the most NBA players. Fun facts: the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, of Greece, has the longest name of any international player, followed by Matthew Dellavedova of Australia and the Cavaliers Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis is the tallest international player.
