Think back 10 to 15 years ago and try to remember the best international basketball players in the NBA. Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and the Gasol brothers are probably at the top of your list. This is a list of Hall of Famers but none of them was ever the best player in the game. Even in their MVP seasons both Nowitzki and Nash were not recognized as the best player in the world. Ginobili, Parker, and the Gasols won championships at every level. And yet you will still have a hard time finding them on top 10s in any year they played.
That is no longer the case. For the last 5 years, international players have dominated the sport of basketball. They are changing the game and have won the last 5 NBA MVP Regular Season Awards. It’s not just one player doing the work, multiple players are leading their franchises and taking the league by storm. Here are my top 5 international players with an argument to make the top 5 in the NBA.
Nikola Jokic
Where else could we start but with the reigning NBA Champion, Nikola Jokic. The Serbian MVP has established himself as the man to beat in the NBA. After back-to-back MVP seasons in 2021 and 2022, Jokic delivered Denver’s first NBA Title this past June.
Some fans would argue he should’ve been a 3-time MVP last season. He’s been picking defenses apart with his playmaking and punishing teams who dare him to score. Off the court, he might be more interested in his horses but once the game starts The Joker is not to be played with. One of three players with a real argument to being the best basketball player in the world.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo is another man with an argument to the best player in the world. Giannis was the front-runner to that distinction after winning the MVP award twice in 2019 and 2020.
He led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA Championship in 2021. Only finishing outside the top 3 of the MVP race once in the last 5 years. Giannis has a point to make this year after an early exit in the playoffs last season. He is the only player in league history to average more than 0.95 points per minute in multiple seasons.
Joel Embiid
Last season’s MVP finally got the recognition he desperately wanted. Joel Embiid campaigned for the MVP and was on a mission after finishing in second place the previous two seasons. The Cameroonian is a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the floor.
A dominant offensive arsenal that can light the score board up. And the skills to anchor the defense make him arguably the most complete player of this top 5. Embiid has proved how good he is, and needs to be included in the conversation for best in the world. An NBA Title could greatly help his argument.
Luka Doncic
The Slovenian superstar is the future, the one chosen by the basketball Gods. At least that’s what the Luka fans would have you believe. Honestly, who could blame them, Luka has been nothing short of spectacular since coming into the league. He won the ROY Honors in 2019. Then proceeded to finish in the top 10 in MVP voting for the next four years.
He hasn’t won MVP yet, losing out to the first 3 players on this list, but he’s been a First Team All-NBA selection the last 4 years. A player who isn’t afraid of the spotlight and has delivered multiple playoff moments. His playoff average of 32.5 ppg is second only to Michael Jordan’s 33.4 ppg. Once you realize he is 24 years old it’s easy to understand why fans believe in Luka Magic.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Rounding out the top 5 best international players is Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Shai finally broke through last season, earning his first All-Star and All-NBA selections. He’s gotten better every year, becoming a player who controls the pace of the game and commands respect on defense. One of the impressive aspects of his playmaking is that he doesn’t need the ball to impact the game.
A true general of the floor who can implement a game plan and pick teams apart whenever he sees fit. Shai keeps teams honest and always guessing what’s coming next. Teams know they are in for a long night when they play Oklahoma. He finished 5th in MVP votes last season, and can be a candidate again if OKC has a good regular season.
The first three are MVPs who should be in most NBA top 5 lists. The next two are making their case to crack the top 5. While most of the league is still primarily Americans, it is impressive to see how far international players have come. They are taking the NBA by storm and the entire world is taking notice. There is a chance that the best players in the world could all be international players.
