European NBA players are a common sight in the league these days. However, that wasn't always the case, and guys like Vlade Divac or Arvydas Sabonis had to break a lot of stereotypes to get a chance in the greatest basketball league on Earth.
Many players did not get the opportunity due to a false narrative about European players being unathletic, bad defenders or slow. Now, the game has finally become more global and the league has opened its doors to players from all over the world.
That's why, today, we're ready to honor some of the men who made it possible and some of the best players in today's game, to let you know everything there is to know about the top 10 European NBA players in the history of the league.
Tony Kukoc
Toni Kukoc's name doesn't come up often when talking about the best European basketball players, which is mind-boggling. He was the best player out there and proved it in the Olympics before finally making his way to the league, where he earned the respect of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Kukoc's game was ahead of his time, and he could have been designed specifically to play in today's NBA. He was an intelligent player, a willing playmaker, and an outstanding shooter at all three levels, not to mention extremely tough. He won three titles and was named Sixth Man of the Year once.
Peja Stojakovic
If Peja Stojakovic played today, he would end his career as one of the greatest foreign players in NBA history. Today's speed and space matchup would be perfect for his shooting skills, and he was always a useful player wherever he went.
Stojakovic was a three-time All-Star in his prime and won the league's three-point shootouts twice, averaging 17.0 points per game despite not being a primary scorer. He could have had a better NBA career if he hadn't started overseas, but he was one of the first truly lethal scorers to receive praise and recognition despite being European.
Rudy Gobert
People can hate Rudy Gobert, the salary, and what the Minnesota Timberwolves gave up to get him all they wanted, but the truth is he is one of the best European players of all time.
He's been a defensive stalwart for nearly a decade, winning his second Defensive Player of the Year (3). He also made six All-Defensive Teams, is a three-time All-Star, and led the league in rebounds and blocks once. He may or may not like it, but he could very well end up in the Hall of Fame with these three DPOY awards alone.
Luka Doncic
It didn't take long for Luka Doncic to prove that he is one of the best NBA players from Europe in the history of the game, and chances are he will end his career higher on this list, perhaps even sitting at the top of the list.
The Real Madrid star has juggled NBA defenders for a living, and his game is like a modern-day Larry Bird without the defense. He's an elite playmaker, a perennial MVP candidate, and has been named an All-Star five times over as many years in the league. Doncic also earned four All-NBA nods and was named Rookie of the Year. It's just getting started, and will be a problem for years.
Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol was a bit of a late bloomer when he first entered the league. After that, he proved to be much more than Pau Gasol's “younger” brother, establishing himself as one of the best defenders and most intelligent players in the game, perhaps having a higher basketball IQ than Pau.
An extension of the coach on the hardwood, Gasol was a three-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year, and made two NBA draft picks. He also won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors.
Tony Parker
Tony Parker may not have been the fastest, strongest, most athletic, or even the flashiest, but he was still one of the most influential and dominant point guards of his generation. He paved the way for many European NBA players who came after him with his skill, basketball IQ, and precise way of leading the offense.
Parker played a key role in four NBA championships, even being named Finals MVP once. The Hall of Famer was a six-time All-Star and retired with the most assists in San Antonio Spurs history.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks were the butt of the joke when they took a skinny kid named Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round of the NBA draft. Fast forward to today, and this late bloomer is now a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Giannis led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in five decades and established himself as one of the best two-way players of all time. To date, he has won two MVP awards, a Finals MVP, been named an eight-time All-Star, has made it to seven All-NBA teams, six All-Defensive Teams, and will go down as the greatest Buck of all time, even ahead of the likes of Kareem Abdul Orion or Oscar Robertson.
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol was one of the best European basketball players as soon as he turned pro, so it was no surprise to see him make the jump to the NBA at a time when not many players had that opportunity. He was often overlooked and underrated for his lack of success before joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, but they wouldn't have had as much success without him.
The Hall of Famer was instrumental in back-to-back championships and three straight trips to the NBA Finals. He's also been a six-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA selection, a Rookie of the Year, and his resume overseas is pretty much unparalleled.
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic is just beginning to write his basketball legacy. He's already been considered the greatest pass rusher the game has ever seen, and he's redefining the quarterback position. The modern quarterback must be able to get over the rock and stretch the floor with his shooting, just like the Denver Nuggets big man.
He was a bit of a late bloomer, being taken in the second round during a Taco Bell commercial, but he quickly became one of the most successful second-round picks of all time.
Now, an NBA champion, two-time MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and six-time All-Star with five All-NBA selections, he will go down as the greatest player in Denver Nuggets history and franchise record holder. In multiple aspects.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki took some time to silence his critics, but he never looked back once he was gone. Often viewed as slow and unathletic, he has revolutionized his attacking style to ensure he gets the better of everyone else. His signature one-leg shot became the most unstoppable shot since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's hook, and helped him score more than 30,000 points in his career, the most by a European player, and sixth all-time.
Dirk led the Dallas Mavericks to their only trip to the NBA Finals and their only championship. He's won an MVP award, a Finals MVP, was a 14-time All-Star with 12 All-NBA selections, and is one of the few members of the 50/40/90 club, so it's no wonder why he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
