The Rise Of European NBA Players – How The Best European Players Are Shaping The League’s Future

NBA players from the USA have always dominated the league, but in the last decade, European NBA players have started making big names for themselves. European superstars like Jokic, Doncic, and Antetokounmpo became the center of attention with their superb skill sets and also managed to change the narrative of NBA basketball. 

In this article, I’ll reveal to you why European NBA players are starting to get more recognition from the fans. Also, you’ll get a closer look into the previously mentioned superstars alongside a couple of other notable players who are the reason why European basketball is reshaping the NBA. 

Read ahead, with more interesting facts to follow!

Related: NBA vs. EuroLeague – How Do The Two Leagues Compare?

Why Are European Basketball Players On The Rise?

Below, I’ll delve deeper into why European basketball players are making such a great impact on the NBA.

Talent and Work Ethic

NBA players from Europe are often praised due to their exceptionally high basketball IQ and versatility. They have an impressive all-around skill set, including good off-ball movement, great passing, strong defense, and unique scoring techniques. 

All those skills help them to be successful in multiple positions on the court, which translates into the teams’ success. European players often get positive recognition because of their hard work ethic, discipline, and nurturing of teamwork. They also adapt quickly to the NBA, given the fact that they are well-prepared, tactically as well as technically. 

Scouting

A few decades ago, NBA teams didn’t invest much energy and time into bringing in European players. Mainly because there have been a couple of first-round pick busts, such as Jan Vesely or Darko Milicic, that have not proven to be a great choice overall. 

However, today, that indeed isn’t the case. Highly talented players from this continent are often chosen at the NBA draft among the first picks. For instance, a future superstar from France, Victor Wenbanyama, was the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. 

Another reason that NBA teams choose European players at the NBA Draft is that they almost always have experience playing high-level basketball in competitive European leagues. A great example is the 3rd pick in 2018, the Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, who played for Real Madrid from age 16.

Improved Globalization and Reach

With players from Europe who’ve taken the NBA by storm, basketball fans take extra interest in watching them play. Without a doubt, today’s NBA basketball is a more global phenomenon with an ever-growing fan base compared to a couple of decades ago when it was primarily popular in Northern America. 

The NBA’s global exposure, advanced technology, and social media make it much easier for top European players to show their talent. Fans worldwide can watch NBA games,  and scouting networks are a lot bigger, giving NBA teams more means to search for the best players that Europe offers. 

Best European Players That Are Shaping the NBA’s Future

Here’s a top-five list of the best basketball players from Europe who are the most deserving for the rise of players from that continent.

#5 – Domantas Sabonis

Lithuanian player, Domantas Sabonis covers the positions of a power forward and center. He’s widely regarded as one of the NBA players from Lithuania besides Jonas Valanciunas. 

Domantas is a true leader of the Sacramento Kings and a double-double machine. He also played for the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s the son of the legendary NBA player Arvydas Sabonis, who played in the 90s and early 2000s. 

#4 – Lauri Markannen

One of the best natural scorers in the NBA is the Finnish small forward Lauri Markannen. Besides being a great scorer, he’s also solid in the rebounds department and a power dunker. 

He was the 7th pick in the 2017 NBA draft, initially chosen by the Timberwolves but later traded to Chicago, where he played until the end of the 2020-21 season. Markannen’s amazing 2022-23 season, where he averaged 25.6 points and 8.6 points, earned him the title of the Most Improved Player at the end of the season. 

#3 – Luka Doncic

Luka is one of the biggest talents to come from overseas to the NBA. His previous professional experience as a Real Madrid player, alongside a superb basketball skill set, was the main reason the Dallas Mavericks chose him as the 3rd pick in the 2018 NBA draft. 

This Slovenian player can easily score 30 points in one game and makes shots from all positions. Luka’s always in contention for the MVP title, and one day he may get it.

#2 – Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo is one of the most dominant players in the modern-day NBA. His unreal athleticism combined with insane reach helped him to make rebounds, steal the ball, and create some jaw-dropping dunks. 

While playing for the Bucks, Giannis won back-to-back MVP titles and even carried this team to an NBA championship title in 2021. This Greek power forward had a monstrous 2022-23 season, averaging 31.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.

#1 – Nikola Jokic

Another Eastern European player besides Luka and the No. 1 spot on this list is the Serbian center, Nikola “The Joker” Jokic. He’s the Denver Nuggets superstar who can easily produce triple-doubles. Nikola is a versatile player who is exceptionally talented and has some of the best passing as well as playmaking skills in the entire NBA. 

He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2014 as one of the best young European players, and since then, he’s been a force to be reckoned with. Nikola’s accolades speak for himself, which are back-to-back MVP titles alongside winning the NBA title in the 2022-23 season.