The NBA has gone global, and several countries have produced notable basketball stars. In the past, the league was dominated primarily by American players. However, today’s league is filled with stars from across the world.
According to Saul Gomez-Rangel’s 2024 article on Medium.com, there are 125 international players in the NBA. 25 years ago, the league only had 24 international players.
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“The rise of foreign players in the NBA shows the sport’s transition from being an American-dominated sport to a world sport,” Gomez-Rangel wrote. “Over the past few decades, we have continued to see this change in perspective. After (Hakeem) Olajuwon’s success in the league in the mid-90s, there has been an influx of players, with Manu Ginobili and Dirk Nowitzki winning championships in the 2000s, and now players like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are being considered the best players at their positions.”
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For this list, we’ll take a look at the 10 best international players in the league heading into the 2026-27 season.
#10 Rudy Gobert – France
Rudy Gobert‘s offensive numbers have declined over the past few seasons. However, he’s still at the top of his game when it comes to defense. The 2026-27 season is his fifth year with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he welcomes his new co-star, LaMelo Ball.
Gobert is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year; only two others have achieved that. He’s also a three-time All-Star and a nine-time All-Defensive star.
#9 Domantas Sabonis – Lithuania
Domantas Sabonis had a down year last season as he dealt with a torn meniscus in his left knee. Sabonis appeared in 19 games, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists. When he’s healthy, though, the Lithuanian big man is one of the best NBA players.
On Sunday, the Sacramento Kings star made a positive comment about his health.
“No no no, everything’s good. Just playing it smart,” he said.
The European big man is a three-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection.
#8 Jamal Murray – Canada
Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray was named an All-Star for the first time last season. After several years of being snubbed, Murray’s work was finally recognized. He averaged 25.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 7.1 apg through 75 games. The Canadian star was also named an All-NBA player.
Before becoming an All-Star, Murray was already the second-best player for the Nuggets behind Nikola Jokic. He helped the franchise win the 2023 NBA championship.
#7 Alperen Sengun – Turkey
Alperen Sengun is a budding young star who has earned two All-Star appearances over the past five seasons. Sengun is viewed as a centerpiece for the Houston Rockets as they try to contend for a championship. The pressure is on the Turkish star and the Rockets after an early 2025 playoff exit.
Sengun is working with coach Chip Engelland to improve his free-throw and 3-point shooting. The two-time All-Star wants to be a reliable outside shooter from the corner.
#6 Karl-Anthony Towns – Dominican Republic
Karl-Anthony Towns had one of the best campaigns in the 2025-26 NBA season. He helped the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals and win the championship. Towns’ sacrifice was a significant part of their success, as he averaged 13.0 ppg, 10.6 rpg and 2.4 apg.
KAT has been an All-Star since his days with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Overall, he’s been in six All-Star Games. Towns is an important player to the Knicks as they try to defend and contend for another title.
#5 Giannis Antetokounmpo – Greece
Giannis Antetokounmpo will play his first season with the Miami Heat after being traded by the Milwaukee Bucks during the offseason. It’s the first time in his NBA career he won’t be playing for the franchise that drafted him.
Antetokounmpo has been one of the best NBA stars over the past decade. The Greek Freak has won the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player and the NBA Cup. He’s also a one-time champion, leading the Bucks to the 2021 title.
#4 Luka Doncic – Slovenia
Luka Doncic has been a heavy favorite for how he plays. Despite not being the most athletic, Doncic can dominate a game with his offensive gifts. It’s what makes him a matchup nightmare for most teams.
Unfortunately for the Slovenian star, he hasn’t won the MVP or the NBA title yet. Last season, he finished fourth in the MVP race, despite averaging 33.5 ppg (led the league), 7.7 rpg and 8.3 apg.
The LA Lakers believe Doncic has what it takes to help them contend for a championship this season and in the future.
#3 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Canada
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on a different level. The OKC Thunder star has won the MVP award over the past two seasons. Gilgeous-Alexander also led the Thunder to the championship in 2025, earning Finals MVP honors.
There are currently 15 Canadian basketball players in the NBA, according to HoopGuess, and SGA is the best. He’s the only player who has won several prestigious awards.
#2 Victor Wembanyama – France
Victor Wembanyama continues to dominate the league. Last season, he led the San Antonio Spurs to the playoffs, the franchise’s first postseason appearance since 2019. Wembanyama was also a big reason the Spurs reached the Finals. Unfortunately for the Spurs, they lost to the New York Knicks.
Heading into the 2026-27 NBA season, the French star is motivated to bounce back from the Spurs’ Finals loss.
“I couldn’t imagine better motivation,” Wembanyama said on Media Day.
Wembanyama won his first Defensive Player of the Year award last season and finished third in the MVP voting.
#1 Nikola Jokic – Serbia
Nikola Jokic finished the 2025-26 NBA season averaging a triple-double. He had 27.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg and 10.7 apg, leading the league in rebounds and assists. Jokic joined basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain as the only center to lead the league in assists.
Jokic has been the best player for the Nuggets for a decade. He continues to dominate with his unpredictable combination of all-around scoring and playmaking.
The Serbian center is an eight-time All-Star, an eight-time All-NBA selection and a three-time regular-season MVP. Jokic led the Nuggets to the 2023 championship and earned Finals MVP.
Edited by Aziel Karthak
