the best foreign players in the history of the league

A NBA is an American basketball league focused on players from U.S It’s from Canada. Sometimes some players from outside North America manage to stand out in the competition, marking their names throughout the history of the tournament.

Some went even further, becoming franchise idols, winning awards and titles. Now look at some foreigners who are still a reference in the sport today.

Dirk Nowitzki

Far from being first in the league, the German Dirk Nowitzki He was certainly one of the most notable players in the NBA. Becoming a great idol Dallas Mavericks, the giant won a title with the Texas franchise, in addition to occupying sixth place on the list of highest scorers in the competition, with 31,560 in 20 years playing there. The center’s list of awards is long, including an MVP (2007), Finals MVP (2011) and many others.

HBD Dirk Nowitzki aka Dirk Diggler aka The Big Mummy aka one of the greatest power forwards of all-time!

◾️ 21 NBA Seasons
◾️ 14 x All-Stars
◾️ 12 x All-NBA
◾️ 6th All-Time PTS
◾️ NBA Champion
◾️ NBA Finals MVP
◾️ NBA MVP
◾️ 3-PT Champ
◾️ 50-40-90 Clubpic.twitter.com/NduhLHUMmq

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 19, 2019

Manu Ginobili

Rarely remembered when talking about great players, the Argentine Manu Ginobili will be configured in the fans’ lists. But, the four-time champion and great idol of San Antonio Spurs needs to be remembered. Beside Tim Duncan It is Tony Parker (also another foreigner), the athlete made history being led by the best coach of all time, Gregg Popovich.

HAPPY 43RD BIRTHDAY TO MANU GINOBILI

Here’s over 5 minutes of highlights to celebrate pic.twitter.com/DGbhfaU1UC

— dylan (@dylangonzalez21) July 28, 2020

Giannis Antetokounmpo

You know that feeling of taking out a multi-champion team that had been stuck in the mud for a long time, that only career mode in video games can provide? So, what lived Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Greek, who spent his entire career in Milwaukee Bucks, was drafted by the Wisconsin franchise and, although it took a few years, he ended up winning an NBA title, two MVPs (2019 and 2020) and a Finals MVP there. Not to mention that the star is only at the beginning of his career, aged 29.

One year ago today, the Bucks were crowned NBA champions 🏆

Giannis Antetokounmpo earned Finals MVP after dropping 50 PTS, 14 REB and 5 BLK in Game 6.

It was their first title in 50 years 👏 pic.twitter.com/nrQrtZ8tbY

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 20, 2022

Nikola Jokic

Present and future of the NBA, Nikola Jokic He is already considered by many fans to be one of the greatest Europeans to ever set foot on a league court. Twice MVP (2021 and 2022), not counting 2023, which he almost won and now in 2024, which is the big favorite, the Serbian was largely responsible for leading the Denver Nuggets to its first title in history, in 2022/23.

“It was the summer of the Joker without a doubt”

Nikola Jokić played his first game as an NBA champion#MileHighBasketballpic.twitter.com/YVXBxU5jxa

— NBA Serbia (@NBASrbija) October 11, 2023

Honorable mentions:

Luka Doncic – The Slovenian is already one of the biggest stars in the NBA today, but he still needs to prove his worth, winning both individual awards and titles with the Dallas Mavericks.

Pau Gasol – Rookie of the year in 2002, the Spaniard won two titles with Los Angeles Lakersbeing considered to this day one of the best allies of Kobe Bryantsecond only to the giant Shaquille O’Neal.

Dikembe Mutombo – Congolese, he was voted defensive player of the year in the league many times, but the fact that he never lifted a trophy in the league puts him a little lower on the list of best foreigners, even though he was very dominant in his time.