Is Europe Taking Over the NBA?
The National Basketball Association is the world’s greatest basketball competition that features 30 teams, with 29 based in the United States and one from Canada. The league is made up of the world’s best players and has 43 countries represented on the international stage. Although numerous internationals are now represented in the league, this was not always the case. The NBA was formally dominated by athletes from the United States, with very few international players.
In the NBA today, there is a case to argue that the league is dominated by Europeans, with the sport becoming increasingly popular in European countries. The increase in popularity of European athletes in the NBA is similar to the surge in popularity for online slots when they were first released. The previous seven Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards saw 5 being awarded to European athletes, raising the question: Is Europe taking over the NBA?
The European Pathway
The primary pathway for American athletes to make the NBA is through the collegiate system and entering the NBA Draft. College basketball has amassed massive popularity, not only in players but also in the viewership numbers. The collegiate route seems the common pathway to the NBA; however, for European athletes, this is not always feasible. The college system typically requires athletes to relocate from home into a new area to play the sport at a high level. For Europeans, this is not always a viable option due to the travelling distance from the respite countries in Europe.
A popular path for Europeans to enter the NBA is through the EuroLeague, which is the top-tier professional basketball competition for clubs in Europe. The competition features 20 teams from around Europe, and is regarded as the second-best professional basketball league behind the NBA. The EuroLeague presents a valuable opportunity for young European basketball players to showcase their skills in a professional basketball setting. Often, NBA clubs scout in the EuroLeague for talent who are entering the NBA draft. At times, the transition from the EuroLeague to the NBA can be seamless, unlike the time that college players require.
This pathway in football terms could mimic young stars in leagues like France’s Ligue 1 developing their game and looking for a pinnacle move to England’s Premier League which is today considered as the best division in the world by many. Chelsea, who have a strong bond with their sister club Strasbourg, currently have a deal in place to sign their top striker Emanuel Emengha. Whereas in rugby, it’s common to see transfers be interchangeable between teams in England, France, and all over the world who compete on similar fronts.
The Best Current European NBA Players
Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić is a professional basketball player who plays for the Denver Nuggets and is widely regarded as one of the best European basketball players of all time. Nikola Jokić is one of the most successful European Basketballers of all time, with a career consisting of 3 MVP awards and one NBA Championship to date. Jokić is a 30-year-old Serbian center who has broken countless records in the league. The Denver Nuggets drafted Nikola Jokić with the 41st pick in the NBA Draft and have improved his game each year. Before entering the NBA draft, Jokić played for Mega Basket, which is a professional basketball team based in Serbia.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Representing Greece is Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who joined the team in 2013. Giannis is another basketball player who is regarded as one of the greatest to come from Europe. Like Jokic, he is one of four European MVP winners, having won the award twice. He is also an NBA Champion, where he won the finals MVP in the triumph. Giannis Antetokounmpo grew up in Athens, Greece, where he played his early basketball years. Giannis played for Filathlītikos, a local professional basketball club in Athens. The Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, and the rest is history.
Luka Dončić
The 26-year-old Slovenian currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and is destined to finish his career as one of the greatest Europeans ever. Dončić’s route to the NBA is something different from the other names mentioned on the list. Luka Dončić conquered the world of the EuroLeague before entering the NBA Draft, including winning the EuroLeague MVP and championship in 2018. He entered the NBA Draft the following year, leaving his former team, Real Madrid, with a sweet farewell.
He was drafted third overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks; however, the guard was traded to the Dallas Mavericks almost instantly. The trade included a switch for fellow rookie Trae Young. It turned out to be a successful trade for the Mavericks, after Dončić tipped Trae Young and other draft classmates to the Rookie Of The Year award. To date, Dončić is a 5x NBA All-Star and an NBA scoring champion.
Victor Wembanyama
Perhaps the future of European basketball, Victor Wembanyama, is just 21 years old and is already making waves in the league. Wembanyama is a 7’3 center who moves with finesse and efficiency that has shocked the basketball world. Victor Wembanyama is a French international and is currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs. Before entering the NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama played in the top tier of French basketball with Metropolitans 92.
In his only year with the club, he won the Championship and the MVP award, as well as other honors. He entered the NBA Draft as a lock-in for the number one overall pick, and it was the Spurs who drafted him number 1. In his rookie season, he averaged over 21 PPG and 10 RPG, helping him win the Rookie Of The Year award. The following year, Victor Wembanyama earned his first NBA All-Star appearance and looked sure for the Defensive Player Of The Year award, until he faced a season-ending injury.
