1. Hakeem Olajuwon – Nigeria
Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon is considered the greatest international NBA player of all time.
Born in Nigeria, Olajuwon played college basketball for the University of Houston Cougars.
He was selected with the 1st overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA Draft and went on to have an illustrious 18-year career.
Olajuwon dominated on both ends of the court, averaging 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game for his career.
He led the league in rebounds twice and in blocks three times. Olajuwon is the NBA’s all-time blocks leader with 3,830 blocks and the only player in NBA history to achieve over 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season.
His list of accolades and achievements is unmatched for an international player:
- 2× NBA champion (1994, 1995)
- 2× NBA Finals MVP (1994, 1995)
- NBA MVP (1994)
- 2× Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 1994)
- 12× NBA All-Star (1985–1990, 1992–1997)
- 6× All-NBA First Team (1987–1989, 1993, 1994, 1997)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (1986, 1990, 1996)
- 3× All-NBA Third Team (1991, 1995, 1999)
- 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994)
- 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1985, 1991, 1996, 1997)
In 1994, Olajuwon accomplished the rare feat of winning the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season.
Teamed up with fellow Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler, Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995.
For his tremendous accomplishments and contributions to the game, Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
No international NBA player has come close to achieving what “The Dream” accomplished.
2. Dirk Nowitzki – Germany
Dirk Nowitzki revolutionized the power forward position and is the greatest European NBA player of all time. Born in Germany, he was selected with the 9th overall pick in 1998 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks before being immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
Standing 7 feet (2.13m) tall, Nowitzki was an elite shooter with unlimited range. He helped pioneer the concept of “stretch fours” – big men that operate on the perimeter and utilize the 3-point shot.
In 21 seasons with Dallas, Nowitzki led the Mavericks to 15 playoff appearances and their first NBA title in 2011.
Some of Dirk’s incredible career achievements and accolades include:
- NBA champion (2011)
- NBA Finals MVP (2011)
- NBA MVP (2007)
- 14× NBA All-Star (2002–2012, 2014, 2015)
- 12× All-NBA (2001–2012, 2014, 2015)
- Records for most seasons and games with one team
- 6th all-time scorer in NBA history with over 31,000 points
His signature fadeaway jumpshot was practically unguardable. Nowitzki changed basketball around the world and paved the way for the next generation of international NBA players like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Greece
In just nine seasons in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo has quickly emerged as one of the most dominant basketball players on the planet.
Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 15th overall pick in 2013, “The Greek Freak” gained national attention during his first playoff appearance in 2017.
It wasn’t until his 2019 MVP season that Giannis went from star to bonafide superstar.
At 6 feet, 11 inches (2.10m) with a tremendous 7-foot-3 (2.20m) wingspan, Antetokounmpo overpowers opponents with a rare blend of size, length, speed and skill.
He attacks the rim with reckless abandon but has also gradually extended his range, flashing the ability to stretch the floor.
So far in his young career, Giannis has achieved:
- NBA champion (2021)
- NBA Finals MVP (2021)
- 2× NBA MVP (2019, 2020)
- Defensive Player of the Year (2020)
- 6× NBA All-Star (2017–2022)
- All-Star Game MVP (2021)
And at just 29 years old, Antetokounmpo figures to add many more accolades in the years to come.
With career averages of 22.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game on 53% shooting, he seems destined to go down as the greatest international player ever.
4. Steve Nash – Canada
Born in South Africa but raised in Canada, Steve Nash helped revolutionize the point guard position in 18 stellar NBA seasons.
After beginning his career with stints in Phoenix and Dallas, Nash returned to the Suns in 2004 and pioneered their renowned “Seven Seconds or Less” offense.
His playmaking and legendary shooting accuracy unlocked an elite offense that ranked near the top of the league.
Nash earned back-to-back MVP trophies in 2005 and 2006 – a rarity for the point guard position. His shooting efficiency also earned him four 50/40/90 seasons.
Altogether, Steve Nash earned:
- 2× NBA MVP (2005, 2006)
- 8× NBA All-Star (2002–2008, 2010, 2012)
- 3× All-NBA First Team (2005–2007)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (2008, 2010)
- 2× All-NBA Third Team (2002, 2003)
- 5× NBA assists leader (2005–2007, 2010, 2011)
Nash orchestrated a fast-paced, highly efficient offense that could only be run by an elite floor general. His court vision, passing and shooting skills made defenders pay constant attention.
During his illustrious career, Nash averaged 14.3 points and 8.5 assists per game while shooting an astounding 49% from the field, 42.8% from three and 90.4% from the free throw line.
5. Tony Parker – France
Crafty French point guard Tony Parker was a key cog that helped the San Antonio Spurs win four championships in the Tim Duncan/Gregg Popovich era. His trademark teardrop shot in the lane was essentially unguardable.
Drafted by San Antonio with the 28th pick in 2001 NBA Draft, Parker‘s role increased each year, ultimately becoming their starting point guard. His quickness and ability to finish allowed him to excel in the pick-and-roll alongside Duncan.
In total, Parker achieved the following accolades over 19 NBA seasons:
- 4× NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
- NBA Finals MVP (2007)
- 6× NBA All-Star (2006–2012, 2014)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (2012–2014)
- All-NBA Third Team (2009)
Parker hit his peak during San Antonio‘s 2007 championship run.
Named MVP of the Finals, Parker used his signature floater and midrange game to average 24.5 points on 56.8% shooting to lead the Spurs past LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
For his career, Parker averaged 15.5 points and 5.6 assists while shooting an efficient 49% from the field. His quickness, intellect and championship poise were integral for San Antonio‘s sustained success.
6. Pau Gasol – Spain
Pau Gasol was the best European big man of the 2000s and 2010s. A gifted scorer with deft passing skills, Gasol played 18 NBA seasons and was a key contributor on two championship Lakers teams.
The Atlanta Hawks drafted Gasol with the 3rd overall pick in 2001, quickly trading his rights to Memphis.
He thrived from the start, winning Rookie of the Year in 2002 and cementing himself as one of the league’s top big men. Though never known for defense, his versatile inside/out offensive game could take over games.
Gasol’s accolades and achievements include:
- 2× NBA champion (2009, 2010)
- 6× NBA All-Star (2006–2011)
- 4× All-NBA (2009–2011, 2015)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (2002)
- 5× Euroscar Player of the Year (2008–2010, 2015, 2016)
After being traded to the Lakers in 2008, Gasol excelled as Kobe Bryant‘s co-star.
Their inside/out game formed a deadly scoring duo that led Los Angeles to three straight NBA Finals from 2008-2010, winning back-to-back titles.
Gasol became a key playmaker from the post and midrange, able to score efficiently or activate teammates.
7. Yao Ming – China
Yao Ming became an international icon as arguably the most influential Asian-born player in basketball history.
The first overall pick in 2002 by Houston, Yao helped build the sport’s immense popularity in China.
Standing 7-foot-6 (2.28m) with elite skills, Yao took the NBA by storm, earning eight straight All-Star selections from 2003 to 2009 before injuries derailed his immense potential after just eight seasons.
At his peak, Yao averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds over six straight years from 2004 to 2009.
His high release and soft touch were nearly unblockable, even against double teams. Yao brought unprecedented size, coordination and shooting touch.
His notable achievements include:
- 8× NBA All-Star (2003–2009, 2011)
- 5× All-NBA (2002, 2004–2006, 2009)
- NBA All-Rookie team (2003)
Injuries ultimately limited his prolonged greatness, but his impact on expanding basketball’s popularity across Asia was massive. His battles against fellow elite big men like Shaq brought immense international attention.
8. Manu Ginobili – Argentina
Argentinian shooting guard Manu Ginobili brought creativity, passion and championship poise over 16 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.
Drafted 57th overall in 1999, Ginobili didn’t enter the NBA until 2002 at age 25.
But his flashy play and Euroleague experience let him make an immediate impact as a super sixth man behind Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
A willing passer, intense competitor and elite penetrator, Ginobili unlocked San Antonio’s bench units with scoring outbursts from all over the court. His ambidextrous finishes became legendary.
For his efforts, Manu earned the following accolades:
- 4× NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
- 2× All-Star (2005, 2011)
- All-NBA Third Team (2008)
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2008)
Ginobili acted as San Antonio‘s energizer off the bench, able to take over games with emphatic dunks, no-look passes and timely three-point bombs. A two-time All-Star, his ultimate role was as the Spurs‘ heart and soul during their most competitive seasons.
