Wonder who the best European NBA players of all-time are? While basketball is a pretty popular sport worldwide, in the US it is nothing short of a national symbol. Although the vast majority of NBA players are born and raised in the States, talented sportsmen from other corners of the world, namely Europe, make it to the US. And some of them manage to pull off rather impressive feats. Want to know who’s the best of the best?
We have compiled a list of the 12 greatest European players in the NBA. Only players who were born in Europe, regardless of how long they actually lived there, were included in the slideshow.
Let’s take a look at the countdown.
No. 12: Nenand Krstic
Photo Credit: J.smith
Born in: Kraljevo, Yugoslavia
Drafted by: New Jersey Nets
Other NBA teams: Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics
NBA debut: 2004-2005 season
Best skill: mid-range shooting
Career averages per game: 10 pts, 5.4 rebounds
No. 11: Boris Diaw
Photo Credit: Keith Allison
Born in: Cormeille-En-Parisis, France
Drafted by: Atlanta Hawks
Other NBA teams: Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, San Antonio Spurs
NBA debut: 2003-2004 season
Best skill: three-point jump shot
Career averages per game: 9.1 pts, 4.7 rebounds
See the remaining best European NBA players of all-time:
No. 10: Danilo Gallinari
Photo Credit: Raffaela Cabiddu
Born in: Sant’Angelo Lodigian, Italy
Drafted by: New York Knicks
Other NBA teams: Denver Nuggets
NBA debut: 2008-2009 season
Best skill: free throws
Career averages per game: 14.5 pts, 4.7 rebounds
No. 9: José Calderón
Photo Credit: Keith Allison
Born in: Villanueva de la Ser, Spain
Drafted by: Toronto Raptors
Other NBA teams: Detroit Pistons
NBA debut: 2005-2006 season
Best skill: free throws
Career averages per game: 10.1 pts, 7.2 assists
No. 8: Andrea Bargnani
Photo Credit: Matthew Addie
Born in: Rome, Italy
Drafted by: Toronto Raptors
Other NBA teams: New York Knicks
NBA debut: 2006-2007 season
Best skill: mid-range shooting
Career averages per game: 15.2 pts, 4.8 rebounds
No. 7: Marc Gasol
Photo Credit: RMTip21
Born in: Barcelona, Spain
Drafted by: Los Angeles Lakers – never actually played for them as he was traded for his brother, Pau
Other NBA teams: Memphis Grizzlies
NBA debut: 2008-2009 season
Best skill: defense
Career averages per game: 13.3 pts, 8.0 rebounds
No. 6: Ben Gordon
Photo Credit: Keith Allison
Born in: London, England
Drafted by: Chicago Bulls
Other NBA teams: Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Bobcats
NBA debut: 1998-1999 season
Best skill: free throws
Career averages per game: 15.9 pts, 2.7 assists
No. 5: Andrei Kirilenko
Photo Credit: Kevin Ward
Born in: Izhevsk, URSS
Drafted by: Utah Jazz
Other NBA teams: Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA debut: 2001-2002 season
Best skill: defense
Career averages per game: 12.4 pts, 5.6 rebounds
No. 4: Peja Stojakovic
Photo Credit: Keith Allison
Born in: Pozega, Yugoslavia
Drafted by: Sacramento Kings
Other NBA teams: Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks
NBA debut: 1998-1999 season
Best skill: three-point shooting
Career averages per game: 17.0 pts, 4.7 rebounds
No. 3: Tony Parker
Photo Credit: Keith Allison
Born in: Bruges, Belgium
Drafted by: San Antonio Spurs
Other NBA teams: None
NBA debut: 2001-2002 season
Best skill: mid-range jumper
Career averages per game: 17.1 pts, 6.0 assists
No. 2: Pau Gasol
Photo Credit: Keith Allison
Born in: Barcelona, Spain
Drafted by: Memphis Grizzlies
Other NBA teams: Los Angeles Lakers
NBA debut: 2001-2002 season
Best skill: low-post moves
Career averages per game: 18.4 pts, 9.2 rebounds
No. 1: Dirk Nowitzki
Photo Credit: Keith Allison
Born in: Wurzburg, West Germany
Drafted by: Dallas Mavericks
Other NBA team: none
NBA debut: 1998-1999 season
Best skill: mid-range jumper
Career averages per game: 22.6 pts, 8.2 rebounds
