The NBA is set to kick off the 2023-24 season with a bang as a record-setting 125 international players are poised to light up the courts. The league announced this exciting news on Tuesday, creating a buzz of anticipation for the upcoming season.
Among this diverse group, a prominent presence is felt from the African continent, with 14 players hailing from African nations. Leading the pack is the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, who proudly represents Cameroon and plays for the Philadelphia 76ers. Another standout is the third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga, promising talent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo playing for the Golden State Warriors.
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What makes this international roster captivating is that it includes more than 35 American and international players with African heritage. These players have at least one parent with roots on the African continent. Notable among them is Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who proudly hails from Nigeria and plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. Another African gem is Bam Adebayo, who adds to the Nigerian presence on the Miami Heat roster.
The 2023-24 season marks a historic milestone, representing the third consecutive season with over 120 international players and the 10th consecutive season with at least 100. These players hail from an impressive 40 countries and territories across six continents, underlining the global nature of the NBA. Remarkably, all 30 teams have at least one international player, demonstrating the league’s diverse and inclusive character. Europe takes the lead in the number of international players, boasting a remarkable total of 64.
What’s particularly intriguing is that many of these European players have their origins in Africa, reinforcing the strong ties between the two continents. Notable African-European players include Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Dennis Schröder, Clint Capela, and Victor Wembanyama, among a record 14 players from France.
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Canada, fresh off a third-place finish in this summer’s FIBA World Cup, showcases a strong presence with 26 players this season, marking the highest number in the country’s history. Adding to the multicultural mix, five of these Canadian players have a parent from either Africa or the Caribbean, enriching the league’s diversity. Among them, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands out, with his mother having competed for Antigua and Barbuda in the 1992 Barcelona Games.
This remarkable international representation in the NBA is a testament to the league’s concerted efforts over the past two decades to promote the game beyond the United States. Initiatives like Basketball without Borders (BWB) and the NBA Academy programs have played a pivotal role in this endeavor. BWB, launched in 2001, provides elite-level basketball training to young talents from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This program has nurtured 112 former camp participants who now grace NBA and WNBA rosters.
The NBA Academy, a year-round program focused on developing high school prospects, has also contributed to this international influx. This season, has ushered four players into the league, including Dyson Daniels, Bennedict Mathurin, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. All the players come from diverse backgrounds reflecting the global character of the NBA.
The NBA’s international roster is breaking records this season, with 125 players ready to shine on opening night. The previous record of 121 international players, from the 2021-22 season, has been surpassed, emphasizing the league’s commitment to diversity. Fans can look forward to an electrifying season filled with talent from all corners of the world.