With Eurobasket behind us, we are finally updating our list of the greatest international players ever.
The biggest change from last year is Canadian guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander breaking into the Top 10 after a dominant season in which he won a treble of MVPs and his first NBA title with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Among the new faces in the ranking are 2025 All-Stars Victor Wembanyama and Alperen Sengun, who made the cut despite their limited body of work.
Just like with our HoopsHype79 list, we compiled votes from our staff, removed the highest and lowest rank for each player, and awarded points 79-1 for the rest.
As always, we factored in FIBA accomplishments to an extent but put way more stock on what players did while competing against the very best (that is, in the NBA). And, of course, the focus is on what they achieved and not what they could have done if A, B or C had happened.
1. Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria)
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, six All-NBA 1st Team selections, 12 All-Stars, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 1st in blocks, 10th in steals, 14th in scoring, 14th in rebounds, 230th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 3rd in blocks, 13th in rebounds, 16th in scoring, 21st in steals, 73rd in assists
Though he ended up playing for Team USA and winning an Olympic gold medal with the red, white and blue, Hakeem Olajuwon was born and raised in Nigeria and even played for a Nigerian junior team at the All-Africa Games. Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic threaten his position down the road, Olajuwon remains for now a unanimous pick at No. 1 by HoopsHype voters, who have him just outside of the Top 10 in the HoopsHype79 rankings.
The Dream was the complete package as a player, with arguably the most unstoppable post-game ever thanks to his quickness and athleticism, to go with his impossible-to-predict moves. He was also an elite defender, with unbelievable shot-blocking prowess.
2. Dirk Nowitzki (Germany)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one MVP, 12 All-NBA selections, 14 All-Stars, one World Cup bronze medal, one Eurobasket silver medal
Regular season ranking: 6th in scoring, 27th in rebounds, 55th in blocks, 95th in steals, 160th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 18th in scoring, 24th in rebounds, 53rd in blocks, 55th in steals, 105th in assists
One of the finest offensive forwards in basketball history, Dirk Nowitzki is also widely considered the top European player of all time (for now). Nowitzki didn’t just carry those Mavs teams to multiple deep playoff runs and ultimately a championship; he did so without star companions.
Nowitzki did similarly with Germany, winning a couple of medals with teams pretty much devoid of top-notch talent. Dirk’s shooting ability from all angles and ranges, off the dribble or with his feet set, was truly unmatched, especially among 7-footers.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, seven All-NBA 1st Team selections, nine All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one NBA Cup, one NBA Cup MVP, one Eurobasket bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 48th in scoring, 69th in rebounds, 93rd in blocks, 106th in assists, 201st in steals
Playoffs ranking: 50th in rebounds, 52nd in scoring, 65th in blocks, 77th in assists, 154th in steals
Third on our list already at age 30, there’s a somewhat decent chance Giannis Antetokounmpo may end up being considered the top foreign talent when all is said and done – no small feat for a player who didn’t even have Greek citizenship growing up. Antetokounmpo makes up for his lone shortcoming – his shooting – with unreal length, motor, tenacity and scoring down low. He’s legitimately unstoppable once he gets in the paint.
Giannis kept adding to his long list of accolades this year, most recently winning his first medal (bronze) with Greece at the Eurobasket.
4. Nikola Jokic (Serbia)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, three MVPs, one Conference Finals MVP, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, seven All-Stars, one Olympic silver medal, one Olympic bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 59th in assists, 75th in rebounds, 124th in scoring, 212th in steals, 263rd in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 35th in assists, 38th in rebounds, 44th in scoring, 94th in steals, 107th in blocks
If he keeps the pace he’s on, reaching the top spot is not out of the question for Nikola Jokic. You can even make an argument that his peak – if Jokic has even peaked yet – is at least as good as anybody else’s on this list. Actually, we have him as the player with the seventh-best peak in league history ahead of several GOAT candidates.
A team can build an elite NBA offense around Jokic thanks to his super passing and scoring skills. The first international player to win three MVP awards and the first center to do so since Moses Malone, Jokic should age well, considering his game doesn’t rely at all on athleticism or explosiveness.
5. Steve Nash (Canada)
Top accolades: Two MVP awards, seven All-NBA selections, eight All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 5th in assists, 96th in scoring, 242nd in steals, 476th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 9th in assists, 64th in scoring, 222nd in steals, 245th in rebounds, 554th in blocks
South Africa-born Canadian Steve Nash was a superstar in his prime, as attested by his two MVP awards. Nash was a late bloomer, winning his first titles in his 30s, an age when most point guards (especially during his time) had typically declined significantly. Nash would have been even more devastating in today’s NBA running the pick-and-roll and shooting more threes than he did during his heyday, but as is, he’s an all-timer, with unreal passing vision and a jump shot that was as pretty as any, ever.
6. Pau Gasol (Spain)
Top accolades: Two NBA titles, four All-NBA selections, six All-Stars, two silver Olympic medals, one World Cup gold medal, three Eurobasket gold medals
Regular season ranking: 22nd in blocks, 29th in rebounds, 43rd in scoring, 133rd in assists, 484th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 16th in blocks, 35th in rebounds, 61st in scoring, 78th in assists, 200th in steals
Pau Gasol had a terrific NBA career to go with perhaps the best National Team career of any player ever, having won 11 medals and multiple MVPs in summer FIBA tournaments. A two-time NBA champion, some of the analytics actually rated Gasol as the most important Laker on those two title teams. Gasol was extremely skilled for a big man, with length that helped him finish over just about anyone down low and to block shots on the other end.
7. Tony Parker (France)
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, one Finals MVP, three All-NBA 2nd Team selections, six All-Stars, one Eurobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 21st in assists, 58th in scoring, 156th in steals, 527th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 6th in assists, 11th in scoring, 34th in steals, 120th in rebounds, 457th in blocks
A super quick point guard with elite change-of-direction skills, French legend Tony Parker made a living getting into the paint and finishing among the trees because of his unstoppable tear-drop floater. Didn’t have much range as a shooter and wasn’t an elite defender by any stretch, but he’s an all-time great guard anyway, which speaks to just how solid he was at lead guard, no easy accomplishment for guys out of Europe.
8. Luka Doncic (Slovenia)
Top accolades: One Western Conference Finals MVP, five All-NBA 1st Team selections, five All-Star selections, Rookie of the Year award, one Eurobasket gold medal, Euroleague title, and one Euroleague MVP
Regular season ranking: 156th in assists, 237th in scoring, 439th in rebounds, 565th in steals, 769th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 81st in assists, 99th in scoring, 138th in steals, 205th in rebounds, 358th in blocks
It goes without saying, but simply put, Slovenian guard Luka Doncic is a special talent with a chance to enter GOAT conversations down the road thanks to his unbelievable mix of scoring and playmaking as well as rebounding from the lead-guard spot at his size. Doncic has already won pretty much everything at the international level. He came close to duplicating that success in the NBA in 2024 with an unexpected run to the Finals with Dallas. We have a hunch it’s not the last time we see him there (especially if he takes better care of his body).
9. Joel Embiid (Cameroon)
Top accolades: One MVP, five All-NBA selections, seven All-Stars, three All-Defensive 2nd Team selections, one Olympic gold medal
Regular season ranking: 177th in blocks, 258th in scoring, 285th in rebounds, 595th in assists, 795th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 77th in blocks, 131st in rebounds, 136th in scoring, 293rd in assists, 329th in steals
When healthy, Joel Embiid is dominant in every facet on both ends of the floor, with a post game that’s hard to stop, perimeter shooting touch that keeps defenses honest and unreal defensive playmaking abilities thanks to his fantastic size, athleticism and instincts. Sadly, the ‘when healthy’ part does a lot of work in that sentence since the Cameroonian-turned-American center has missed a lot of time due to injuries during his career and may have already played his best basketball based on what we saw during the 2024-25 season.
Embiid has not really distinguished himself with his play in the postseason, a concerning trend that continued even after his first MVP win.
10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one Conference Finals MVP, one MVP, three All-NBA 1st Team selections, three All-Stars, All-Rookie 2nd Team, one World Cup bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 326th in scoring, 371st in assists, 409th in blocks, 424th in steals, 886th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 173rd in assists, 191st in scoring, 208th in blocks, 234th in steals, 450th in rebounds
Shai has skyrocketed up in this ranking in a year, which is what happens when you win a regular season and an NBA title to go with Finals MVP. An unquestioned talent, the Canadian guard has reached a level many players ranked above him could never touch. His creativity and craftiness as a scorer and playmaker make him special, evidenced by back-to-back-back 1st Team All-NBA selections. He also excels defensively. When all is said and done, Shai should have more accolades and rank even higher on this list.
11. Dikembe Mutombo (DR of Congo)
Top accolades: Three All-NBA Team selections, eight All-Stars, four Defensive Player of the Year awards, six All-Defensive Team selections
Regular season ranking: 2nd in blocks, 20th in rebounds, 308th in scoring, 652nd in steals, 790th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 11th in blocks, 57th in rebounds, 277th in scoring, 416th in steals, 646th in assists
Dikembe Mutombo entered the NBA at the grand age of 25 and became one of the most accomplished defensive players in NBA history with his ability to alter shots. Didn’t have much of an offensive game, yet still managed an 18-year career in the league thanks to his all-time shot-blocking ability and finishing prowess down low.
12. Manu Ginobili (Argentina)
Top accolades: Four NBA titles, two All-NBA 3rd Team selections, two All-Stars, one-time Sixth Man of the Year, one Olympic gold medal, one World Cup silver medal, four FIBA Americas medals, one Olympic tournament MVP, one FIBA Americas MVP, one Euroleague title, one Euroleague Finals MVP
Regular season ranking: 66th in steals, 127th in assists, 195th in scoring, 465th in rebounds, 479th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 10th in steals, 27th in scoring, 27th in assists, 71st in rebounds, 145th in blocks
Manu Ginobili is one of only two players to win NBA, Olympic and Euroleague titles, the other one being Bill Bradley. Ginobili performed well throughout his career no matter which role he was given. The exciting Argentinian popularized the Euro-step in the NBA and had a propensity for hitting clutch shots while never giving less than 100 percent effort during his time on the floor.
13. Al Horford (Dominican Republic)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 3rd Team selection, five All-Stars, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection, one FIBA Americas bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 52nd in blocks, 59th in rebounds, 162nd in assists, 165th in scoring, 265th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 14th in blocks, 16th in rebounds, 42nd in assists, 51st in scoring, 52nd in steals
Not only did Al Horford win his first NBA championship in 2024, but he also became the first player ever to do so while being older than the full-time head coach of the team. Moreover, Horford is part of an elite group of only five players in NBA history to rank in the Top 55 for playoff scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and three-pointers. The other four members are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Scottie Pippen. You read that right: Michael Jordan doesn’t crack that short list, but Horford does.
Though he may not have the regular-season accolades or numbers of some of the other players this high on the list, his longevity has helped him stand out anyway. Horford has enjoyed a long career as a high-quality starter or low-level All-Star mostly playing at center, which was never his favorite position.
He ranks Top 60 in both career blocks and rebounds and will get Hall-of-Fame consideration once his career is over. He’s not a lock, but considering basketball treats its Hall of Fame more like a Hall of Very Good, he’ll probably get in.
14. Rudy Gobert (France)
Top accolades: One All-NBA 2nd Team selection, three All-NBAs 3rd Team selections, three All-Stars, four Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven All-Defensive 1st Team selections, two Olympic silver medals, two World Cup bronze medals, two Eurobasket bronze medals
Regular season ranking: 30th in blocks, 45th in rebounds, 381st in scoring, 531st in steals, 867th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 55th in blocks, 69th in rebounds, 239th in scoring, 270th in steals, 566th in assists
Rudy Gobert’s combination of length, mobility and smarts makes him one of the most devastating defensive players in NBA history. Without much of an offensive game, Gobert can still do a lot of damage on that end on screen-and-rolls and finishing lobs.
Despite a great NBA career, he has many doubters mostly because of perceived shortcomings in the playoffs. His benching with France during key moments of the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament surely didn’t help his reputation either. But there’s one thing clear: his teams win (even if they have not gone all the way yet).
15. Marc Gasol (Spain)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 1st Team selection, three All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection, two Olympic silver medals, two World Cup gold medals, five Eurobasket medals
Regular season ranking: 61st in blocks, 151st in rebounds, 244th in assists, 259th in scoring, 310th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 45th in blocks, 91st in rebounds, 127th in assists, 158th in steals, 169th in scoring
The leader of various fine Grizzlies teams, big man Marc Gasol eventually became a champion anchoring the defense of the Toronto Raptors while contributing plenty as a playmaker and floor spacer. Gasol was also a key component of very successful Spanish squads in FIBA tournaments, winning two World Cup gold medals. A one-time Defensive Player of the year, Gasol was a truly unique two-way threat in his prime and one of the better big men of his generation.
16. Drazen Petrovic (Croatia)
Top accolades: One All-NBA 3rd Team selection, two Olympic medals, one World Cup gold medal, one Eurobasket gold medal, one World Cup MVP award, one Eurobasket MVP award, two Euroleague titles
Playoffs ranking: 802nd in scoring, 925th in assists, 948th in steals
Quite possibly the best European player in the 20th century thanks to amazing shooting prowess and will to win, Drazen Petrovic was the first Euro player to make an All-NBA Team and to this day just one of a handful to do it so as a guard. Petrovic did not bring much to the table aside from scoring, but as a pull-up shooter, he was ahead of his time. His tragic car accident robbed us of a great player way too early, and he’d likely be higher here had he been able to have a long career. Petrovic remains absolutely iconic overseas to this day.
17. Yao Ming (China)
Top accolades: Five All-NBA Team selections, eight All-Stars, three FIBA Asia Cup gold medals, three FIBA Asia Cup MVP awards
Regular season ranking: 120th in blocks, 341st in rebounds, 461st in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 223rd in blocks, 429th in rebounds, 461st in scoring
In his short NBA career, Yao Ming made eight All-Star rosters, although some were mostly on the back of the Chinese vote. Still, Yao was an excellent center when healthy thanks in large part to his monstrous size at 7-foot-6 and unbelievably soft touch for a man of his size. He had a turnaround jumper that was impossible to defend when he had it going. Had his career cut short by constant foot problems after going through multiple seasons with almost no rest because of offseason duties with the Chinese National Team.
18. Predrag Stojakovic (Serbia)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 2nd Team, three All-Stars, one World Cup gold medal, one Eurobasket gold medal, one Eurobasket MVP
Regular season ranking: 209th in scoring, 347th in steals, 455th in rebounds, 713th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 159th in scoring, 179th in steals, 219th in rebounds, 499th in blocks, 578th in assists
Generally remembered as the second wheel on those fun Chris Webber-led Sacramento King teams of the early 2000s, Predrag Stojakovic was among the best shooters in the NBA during his time. He had phenomenal size for a small forward and a jumper that would so often hit nothing but net. Stojakovic led the league in free-throw shooting accuracy twice and shot over 40 percent from three for his career.
19. Karl-Anthony Towns (Dominican Republic)
Top accolades: Three All-NBA 3rd Team selections, five All-Stars, Rookie of the Year, one Centrobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 113th in rebounds, 161st in scoring, 163rd in blocks, 464th in assists, 611th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 181st in rebounds, 250th in scoring, 272nd in blocks, 483rd in steals, 539th in assists
Despite the accolades he’s already amassed, Karl-Anthony Towns still has much more to give as he’s one of the most skilled and efficient scoring centers ever. Towns has a pristine jumper from beyond the arc and a ball-handling ability to get to the basket when facing up, as well as the post-game to dominate smaller foes. The self-proclaimed best-shooting big man in basketball history has put up impressive numbers yearly and has mostly proved in the last couple of years that he can be a fantastic No. 2 option on a contending team.
20. Arvydas Sabonis (Lithuania)
Top accolades: One Olympic gold medal, one World Cup gold medal, four Eurobasket medals, one Eurobasket MVP award, one Euroleague title, one Euroleague MVP award, one Euroleague Final Four MVP award
Regular season ranking: 291st in blocks, 515th in rebounds, 851st in scoring, 857th in steals, 970th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 190th in blocks, 279th in rebounds, 344th in steals, 415th in scoring, 554th in assists
A do-it-all giant, Arvydas Sabonis was one of the game’s first unicorns. Unfortunately, his super-dominant time in Europe that is so often glossed over didn’t last very long. He was very limited physically by age 24 due to major leg injuries, and it was around that time when he signed with an average Valladolid squad in Spain’s first division. Despite physical limitations, he still managed a sensational career in FIBA basketball and eventually enjoyed seven solid seasons as a center for the Trail Blazers.Sabonis will always be known as one of the biggest what-ifs in basketball, although major injury problems for players of his size are hardly uncommon. He displayed magnificent vision of the court and outside shooting when centers were not really doing those things. It was a joy to watch.
21. Detlef Schrempf (Germany)
Top accolades: One All-NBA 3rd Team, three All-Stars, two Sixth Man of the Year awards
Regular season ranking: 119th in rebounds, 134th in scoring, 143rd in assists, 271st in steals, 493rd in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 148th in scoring, 148th in assists, 162nd in rebounds, 246th in steals, 358th in blocks
Known by this generation for his cameo appearances on Parks and Rec, Detlef Schrempf was far from a slouch during his time in the Association, making one All-NBA team and three All-Star appearances in his heyday thanks to his outside shooting touch and fantastic size for a forward at 6-foot-10.
22. Vlade Divac (Serbia)
Top accolades: One All-Star, one Olympic gold medal, two World Cup gold medals, three Eurobasket gold medals
Regular season ranking: 33rd in blocks, 54th in rebounds, 78th in steals, 175th in assists, 219th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 30th in blocks, 67th in rebounds, 92nd in steals, 137th in scoring, 155th in assists
Best known for his time with the Kings, Vlade Divac was a charismatic figure in the game for many years. Divac was perhaps the best passing center in the game during his time in the league, and though he didn’t really work on his body a lot, he still had a phenomenal career both in the league and FIBA competitions with Yugoslavia.
23. Toni Kukoc (Croatia)
Top accolades: Three NBA titles, one Sixth Man of the Year award, two Olympic silver medals, one World Championship gold medal, two Eurobasket gold medals, one World Championship MVP award, one Eurobasket MVP award, three Euroleague titles, three Euroleague Final Four MVP awards
Regular season ranking: 221st in assists, 294th in steals, 423rd in scoring, 491st in rebounds, 547th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 126th in steals, 132nd in assists, 232nd in scoring, 273rd in rebounds, 326th in blocks
Toni Kukoc was a terrific all-around player, so crafty and smooth with the ball in his hands yet tenacious when he needed to be. Kukoc played a big role in three championship teams for the Bulls, though things didn’t go so well when he was tasked with being the No. 1 guy post-Last Dance. You don’t often see winning runs like the one he had between 1989 and 1998.
24. Rolando Blackman (Panama)
Top accolades: Four All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 91st in scoring, 246th in assists, 379th in steals, 555th in rebounds, 583rd in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 215th in scoring, 228th in assists, 397th in steals, 543rd in rebounds, 554th in blocks
A 2-guard who could fill up the scoring column without a problem, Rolando Blackman was a top player for the Mavericks throughout the 1980s, averaging over 19 points per game seven times in that decade… although Dallas at the time wasn’t doing much winning.
25. Pascal Siakam (Cameroon)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Conference Finals MVP, two All-NBA Team selections, three All-Stars, one Most Improved Player award
Regular season ranking: 323rd in scoring, 387th in assists, 389th in rebounds, 403rd in blocks, 543rd in steals
Playoffs ranking: 100th in scoring, 142nd in rebounds, 147th in steals, 150th in assists, 152nd in blocks
Pascal Siakam, still in the middle of his prime, started off as a very raw prospect and developed into an energetic swingman who can guard multiple positions and terrorize opponents in transition. A much-improved halfcourt scorer, too, Siakam makes a huge nightly impact on both ends of the floor. The Cameroonian All-Star moved up in a big way in the ranking this year following a Finals run with the Pacers that saw him win a Conference Finals MVP.
26. Nikola Vucevic (Montenegro)
Top accolades: Two All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 42nd in rebounds, 109th in scoring, 144th in blocks, 274th in assists, 289th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 554th in blocks, 667th in rebounds, 806th in scoring, 831st in assists
A highly skilled center who can pull down double-doubles in his sleep, Nikola Vucevic is very difficult to defend because he can do so many things with the basketball. Vucevic can shoot, pass and post up, and you don’t want to foul him because of his shooting touch from the foul stripe. He just struggles to man the paint defensively, leading to his lack of team success in the NBA to this point in his career.
27. Joakim Noah (France)
Top accolades: One All-NBA 1st Team selection, two All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, two All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Eurobasket silver medal
Regular season ranking: 135th in blocks, 190th in rebounds, 503rd in assists, 591st in steals, 806th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 71st in blocks, 126th in rebounds, 261st in steals, 315th in assists, 441st in scoring
One of the most energetic players ever, Joakim Noah was considered one of the best centers in the league at his peak. Even though his jumper didn’t have much range on it, Noah was still quite skilled thanks to his ball-handling and playmaking out of the high post/short midrange areas. Also an elite defender in his prime mostly thanks to effort and instincts.
28. Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania)
Top accolades: Three All-Stars, two All-NBA 3rd Team selections
Regular season ranking: 130th in rebounds, 212th in assists, 386th in scoring, 526th in blocks, 648th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 687th in blocks, 730th in rebounds, 812th in assists, 842nd in steals, 924th in scoring
Southpaw big man with playmaking, rebounding and scoring chops down low, Domantas Sabonis has developed into a very well-rounded, All-Star-level big man, already posting a more impressive NBA career than his father did. His play seems to be getting even better, too, as Sabonis even added All-NBAer to his accolades.
29. Andrei Kirilenko (Russia)
Top accolades: One All-Star, three All-Defensive Team selections, one Olympic bronze medal, one Eurobasket, gold medal, one Eurobasket MVP award, one Euroleague MVP award
Regular season ranking: 42nd in blocks, 136th in steals, 358th in rebounds, 419th in assists, 444th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 99th in blocks, 226th in steals, 509th in assists, 517th in rebounds, 548th in scoring
Long and athletic, the Russian forward was adept at filling the stat sheet from top to bottom. Andre Kirilenko was a Swiss Army knife on both ends of the floor, capable of filling multiple roles, though he particularly shone defensively thanks to his fantastic instincts, quick feet and great length. He would have fit perfectly in the modern game but he was a very effective player in his heyday.
30. Rik Smits (Netherlands)
Top accolades: One All-Star
Regular season ranking: 81st in blocks, 239th in scoring, 251st in rebounds, 804th in assists, 851st in steals
Playoffs ranking: 95th in blocks, 124th in scoring, 176th in rebounds, 308th in steals, 402nd in assists
A skilled but lean big man with fantastic size at 7-foot-4, Rik Smits had soft touch around the basket that helped him knock down turnaround jumpers with aplomb. He did struggle some as a rebounder, though, due to his slender frame.
31. Goran Dragic (Slovenia)
Top accolades: One All-NBA 3rd Team selection, one All-Star, one Most Improved Player award, one Eurobasket gold medal, one Eurobasket MVP award
Regular season ranking: 98th in assists, 254th in steals, 255th in scoring, 674th in rebounds, 895th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 244th in assists, 293rd in scoring, 424th in steals, 534th in rebounds, 785th in blocks
A point guard with a lot of tenacity and energy on offense, Slovenian legend Goran Dragic could often create a fast break out of nothing. He was also an adept half-court scorer who could use screens to get to the basket, where he was one of the best finishers in the paint thanks to his iron-clad shoulders. Dragic was also a fine outside shooter, making him the whole package offensively.
32. Luis Scola (Argentina)
Top accolades: One Olympic gold medal, two World Cup silver medals, nine FIBA Americas medals
Regular season ranking: 290th in rebounds, 487th in scoring, 684th in steals, 708th in blocks, 825th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 494th in rebounds, 632nd in scoring, 731st in steals, 847th in blocks, 869th in assists
Few people were more devoted to their National Team than Luis Scola, who put up big numbers for Argentina regularly and carved himself a nice career in the NBA. Scola will go down as one of the best international competitors ever, but that doesn’t mean his NBA career wasn’t memorable, as the Argentinian big man lasted 10 years in the Association and was an effective scorer and passer, especially during his time with the Rockets.
33. Ben Simmons (Australia)
Top accolades: One All-NBA 3rd Team, three All-Stars, two All-Defensive 1st Team selections
Regular season ranking: 285th in assists, 546th in steals, 619th in blocks, 666th in rebounds, 963rd in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 175th in assists, 285th in blocks, 344th in steals, 395th in rebounds, 549th in scoring
Ben Simmons‘ reputation has taken a massive hit since the 2021 playoffs but don’t forget about his play before that, as Simmons is one of only four international point guards in NBA history to make three All-Star appearances. Shooting woes aside, Simmons was a freakish talent at lead ball-handler, with the size of some centers and the athleticism of a swingman, but with the vision necessary to play point guard at a very high level. Also an unreal defender thanks to his effort on that end along with his excellent physical tools.
34. Luol Deng (South Sudan)
Top accolades: Two All-Stars, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection
Regular season ranking: 221st in scoring, 238th in rebounds, 250th in steals, 326th in blocks, 463rd in assists
Playoffs ranking: 201st in blocks, 212th in steals, 248th in rebounds, 252nd in scoring, 435th in assists
Born in South Sudan, Luol Deng eventually moved to the UK and represented its program at the Olympics. He could do a bit of everything in his heyday, including score, shoot, create and rebound at his swingman spot while defending at a pretty high level. Great motor too. Shone in Chicago as a Thibs favorite.
35. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Lithuania)
Top accolades: Two All-Stars
Regular season ranking: 51st in blocks, 177th in rebounds, 348th in scoring, 775th in steals, 976th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 101st in blocks, 169th in rebounds, 311th in scoring, 611th in steals, 676th in assists
Zydrunas Ilgauskas was a unique big man thanks to his size and slender frame, but he was productive and effective in his role as a floor-spacing center who could block some shots on the defensive end. Truly one of a kind but a very effective player in his prime.
36. Ricky Rubio (Spain)
Top accolades: Two Olympic medals, one World Cup gold medal, two Eurobasket gold medals, one World Cup MVP award, one Euroleague title
Regular season ranking: 68th in assists, 90th in steals, 617th in scoring, 670th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 597th in assists, 705th in steals
Although he may not have fully lived up to the hype created by his legendary Euro YouTube highlight videos before getting to the NBA, Ricky Rubio still enjoyed a fantastic NBA as well as international career thanks to his wizardry as a passer and solid ball-handling.
37. Mychal Thompson (Bahamas)
Top accolades: Two NBA titles
Regular season ranking: 92nd in blocks, 124th in rebounds, 240th in scoring, 388th in steals, 423rd in assists
Playoffs ranking: 71st in blocks, 135th in rebounds, 206th in scoring, 277th in steals, 440th in assists
Known by the current generation for being Klay Thompson’s father, Mychal Thompson was a center who could do plenty of scoring in the paint and spent the early part of his career putting up solid numbers with the Blazers before becoming more of a role player on the Showtime Lakers.
38. Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-Star
Regular season ranking: 122nd in blocks, 422nd in scoring, 437th in rebounds, 869th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 339th in blocks, 639th in steals, 711th in rebounds, 740th in scoring
A shot-blocking, three-point shooting big man in a freakish 7-foot-3 package, Kristaps Porzingis appeared headed to a perennial All-Star career until injuries began to affect him. While full-blown NBA stardom may be behind him, he certainly played a big role for a fantastic Boston Celtics team the last couple of seasons… and he has a championship ring to show for it.
39. Jamal Murray (Canada)
Top accolades: One NBA title, All-Rookie 2nd Team
Regular season ranking: 330th in assists, 435th in scoring, 584th in steals, 787th in blocks, 979th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 65th in assists, 82nd in scoring, 138th in steals, 274th in rebounds, 317th in blocks
A confident bucket-getter at lead guard, Jamal Murray has the scoring ability and quick release to get hot at a moment’s notice and absolutely take over a game, even at a star level. His issues have been with consistency and missed time due to injury. His accolades don’t come close to matching his abilities as a player, as Murray was legitimately able to dominate games against elite competition during Denver’s 2023 title run. Will he become an All-Star eventually? It’s not going to be easy with the amount of talent at the guard positions in the Western Conference.
40. Dino Radja (Croatia)
Top accolades: Two Olympic silver medals, one World Championship bronze medal, two Eurobasket gold medals, two Euroleague titles, one Euroleague Final Four MVP
Regular season ranking: 558th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 983rd in blocks
Dino Radja formed a beyond-dominant duo in Europe along with Kukoc on legendary Jugosplastika Split teams. One of the few bright spots for the lowly 90’s Celtics, Radja averaged nearly 20 points nightly in his third NBA season before returning to Europe a couple of seasons later to finish out his career.
41. Danilo Gallinari (Italy)
Top accolades: One Euroleague Rising Star award, one Italian League MVP
Regular season ranking: 311th in scoring, 483rd in rebounds, 570th in steals, 592nd in blocks, 679th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 377th in scoring, 490th in rebounds, 560th in steals, 693rd in assists, 732nd in blocks
A sharpshooting wing with great size, Danilo Gallinari could do more than just shoot from beyond the arc with his feet set, as he had an underrated face-up and post-up game… though his defense left a bit to be desired. One of the better European wings in NBA history, especially when you factor in when he arrived in America, before the more recent Euro hooper boon.
42. Nicolas Batum (France)
Top accolades: Two Olympic silver medals, two World Cup bronze medals, one Eurobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 170th in steals, 171st in assists, 189th in blocks, 237th in rebounds, 330th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 223rd in blocks, 261st in steals, 304th in rebounds, 309th in assists, 386th in scoring
A beyond serviceable role player throughout his entire career, Nicolas Batum was one of the original 3-and-D swingmen that became so popular in the 2010s, capable of locking down multiple positions on one end and knocking down open threes on the other. Underrated playmaker, too. Beyond the NBA, Batum played a zillion FIBA tournaments with France and won seven medals with his National Team… though just one gold, with many heartbreaking losses to Spain and Team USA.
43. Andrew Bogut (Australia)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-NBA 3rd Team selection, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection
Regular season ranking: 89th in blocks, 183rd in rebounds, 644th in assists, 700th in scoring, 741st in steals
Playoffs ranking: 92nd in blocks, 197th in rebounds, 424th in steals, 440th in assists, 687th in scoring
Injuries prevented Andrew Bogut from posting the career many expected from the No. 1 overall pick, but even so, he enjoyed a solid span of time in the NBA as one of the better centers in the league, even winning a title as a pivotal role player for the Warriors. In his prime, a great screen-setter and playmaker for a center with explosive finishing ability in the paint.
44. Andrew Wiggins (Canada)
Top accolades: One NBA title, Rookie of the Year award, All-Rookie 1st Team, one FIBA Americas bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 189th in scoring, 278th in blocks, 351st in steals, 518th in rebounds, 551st in assists
Playoffs ranking: 208th in blocks, 363rd in scoring, 399th in rebounds, 454th in steals, 618th in assists
Much of the talk throughout his career was about his impact being inconsistent for a No. 1 overall pick, but Andrew Wiggins played the best basketball of his career in a smaller role in Golden State, making his presence felt as both a scorer and defender. He was also focused much more on rebounding and defense during his early years with the Warriors.
45. Serge Ibaka (Republic of the Congo)
Top accolades: One NBA title, three All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one Olympic silver medal, one Eurobasket silver medal
Regular season ranking: 27th in blocks, 157th in rebounds, 343rd in scoring, 850th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 8th in blocks, 56th in rebounds, 110th in scoring, 251st in steals, 492nd in assists
Serge Ibaka broke onto the basketball scene early on in his NBA career, reaching the 2012 Finals as a member of the Thunder and making a huge impact on that team with his ridiculous shot-blocking prowess. Later on in his career, once his athleticism dwindled, he even extended his range to the three-point line and contributed to the Raptors’ lone NBA title.
46. Dennis Schroeder (Germany)
Top accolades: One World Cup gold medal, one World Cup MVP, one Eurobasket gold medal, one Eurobasket MVP
Regular season ranking: 122nd in assists, 306th in scoring, 394th in steals, 799th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 165th in assists, 277th in steals, 289th in scoring, 633rd in rebounds, 847th in blocks
Dennis Schroeder is already one of the best international point guards ever, thanks to his confident scoring prowess out of the backcourt. He may be a bit inconsistent, but overall, he’s been a positive-impact player on the floor. For a player with his accomplishments, Schroeder has taken much unnecessary vitriol throughout his career. He has the last laugh for now, though, after leading Germany to World Cup and Eurobasket titles (and winning MVP of the tournament each time). Fun fact: Schroeder is the first international player to play for 10 different NBA teams.
47. Sarunas Marciulionis (Lithuania)
Top accolades: Three Olympic medals, three Eurobasket medals, one Eurobasket MVP
Regular season ranking: 714th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 639th in steals, 752nd in assists, 944th in scoring
There’s an ongoing narrative that Euro pioneers didn’t get any confidence from coaches in the NBA, but Sarunas Marciulionis proved that’s wrong by receiving plenty of playing time early on in his NBA career. For a guard, he was super strong, which allowed him to score around the paint regularly.
48. Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania)
Top accolades: Three Olympic medals, three Eurobasket medals, one Eurobasket MVP
Regular season ranking: 63rd in rebounds, 137th in blocks, 273rd in scoring, 756th in assists, 840th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 152nd in rebounds, 194th in blocks, 331st in scoring, 584th in steals, 723rd in assists
Went from role player early on into a solid, above-average starter and back to role player now. At the peak of his powers, the big Lithuanian was a double-double machine with a strong post-game thanks to having boulders for shoulders.
49. Hidayet Turkoglu (Turkey)
Top accolades: One Most Improved Player award, one World Cup silver medal, one Eurobasket silver medal
Regular season ranking: 272nd in assists, 344th in scoring, 346th in steals, 423rd in rebounds, 521st in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 154th in assists, 162nd in steals, 234th in scoring, 251st in rebounds, 299th in blocks
A supersized swingman who could score, rebound, and pass, Hidayet Turkoglu would likely have been even more effective in today’s era with a heavier three-point diet. Even in his time, though, he remained an underrated small forward.
50. Patrick Mills (Australia)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Olympic bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 467th in assists, 523rd in steals, 566th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 308th in steals, 351st in assists, 390th in scoring, 733rd in rebounds, 983rd in blocks
Patrick Mills, more commonly referred to as Patty, helped guide Australia to its first medal in men’s basketball at the 2020 Olympics, a deserved reward for his super-strong play with the National Team for over a decade. He’s limited athletically and physically but makes up for it with feisty play and a lightning-quick jumper, one with range and that he can hit off the dribble.
Mills is one of the most impactful players ever in National Team competition, taking his game up a notch when he suits up for his country.
51. Steven Adams (New Zealand)
Top accolades: All-Rookie 2nd Team
Regular season ranking: 181st in rebounds, 185th in blocks, 438th in steals, 709th in scoring, 853rd in assists
Playoffs ranking: 137th in blocks, 184th in rebounds, 470th in scoring, 500th in steals, 705th in assists
One of the strongest men in basketball, Steven Adams shines in one area: as a screen-setter. Besides that, Adams can do some scoring down low when he’s set up by teammates and rebounds well enough, though he’s better at boxing out than actually securing the ricochets off the glass. He may not have the all-around game of many other players in this list, but his impact on winning is undeniable.
52. Mehmet Okur (Turkey)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-Star, one Eurobasket silver medal
Regular season ranking: 318th in blocks, 347th in rebounds, 510th in scoring, 889th in assists, 949th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 201st in blocks, 251st in rebounds, 329th in steals, 447th in scoring, 646th in assists
One of the original stretch Euro big men in the NBA, at least one that would willingly bomb away from three, Mehmet Okur was a player ahead of his time. In today’s NBA, he’d fire even more threes up and have a more impressive scoring average. Regardless, Okur enjoyed a solid 10-year NBA career.
53. Dejan Bodiroga (Serbia)
Top accolades: One Olympic silver medal, two World Championship gold medals, three Eurobasket gold medals, three Euroleague titles, one Euroleague MVP, two Euroleague Final Four MVP awards
The most accomplished FIBA player never to give the NBA a try, Dejan Bodiroga was a dominant offensive talent in Europe in his heyday. There are always questions about how well his pretty peculiar game would have adjusted to the NBA, considering his limited athleticism, slow movement skills and high-usage rate. Even so, Bodiroga boasts a spectacular FIBA resume.
54. Clint Capela (Switzerland)
Top accolades: One-time rebounding champion
Regular season ranking: 112th in blocks, 121st in rebounds, 574th in scoring, 730th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 65th in blocks, 96th in rebounds, 322nd in steals, 340th in scoring, 654th in assists
Clint Capela went from a skinny big man with little endurance early in his career into an above-average starter in the league, one who made a high-level impact as a shot-blocker and rebounder. Capela led the NBA in rebounding once in his career.
55. Leandro Barbosa (Brazil)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Sixth Man of the Year award, two FIBA Americas gold medals
Regular season ranking: 396th in steals, 477th in scoring, 540th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 253rd in steals, 264th in scoring, 319th in assists, 531st in rebounds, 639th in blocks
A lightning-quick guard who could get from one end of the floor to the other in a flash, Leandro Barbosa was a one-man fast break in his prime. Despite an unorthodox release on his jumper, the Brazilian could also shoot the three-ball at a respectable level, making him a well-rounded scorer in his prime.
56. Jose Manuel Calderon (Spain)
Top accolades: Two Olympic silver medals, one World Championship gold medal, one Eurobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 69th in assists, 378th in steals, 578th in scoring, 918th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 445th in assists, 842nd in steals, 878th in scoring
A floor general in every sense of the term, Jose Manuel Calderon could always be counted upon to run an offense at a solid level. He was usually thinking more about creating for teammates than trying to score himself, which is a bit of a shame since the Spaniard could really shoot the basketball. Calderon hit nearly 41 percent of his threes for his career.
57. Nenê (Brazil)
Top accolades: All-Rookie 1st Team, one FIBA Americas silver medal
Regular season ranking: 165th in steals, 181st in blocks, 206th in rebounds, 354th in scoring, 566th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 185th in blocks, 194th in steals, 210th in rebounds, 305th in scoring, 374th in assists
Nenê had a face-up game that was difficult to defend, especially from the midrange to the low post, as he possessed the quickness to blow by slow-footed opponents and the moves to outmaneuver even more athletic foes.
58. Juan Carlos Navarro (Spain)
Top accolades: All-Rookie 2nd Team, three Olympic medals, one World Cup gold medal, two Eurobasket gold medals, one Eurobasket MVP award, two Euroleague titles, one Euroleague MVP award, one Euroleague Final Four MVP award
A pure scorer with his own patented floater (“La Bomba”), Juan Carlos Navarro had a terrific career with FC Barcelona and the Spanish National Team. Still, he only had a cup of coffee with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. Could probably have been a solid role player in the league for many years, but preferred to be the man for his hometown club.
59. Boris Diaw (France)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one Most Improved Player award, one World Cup bronze medal, one Eurobasket gold medal
Regular season ranking: 157th in assists, 280th in blocks, 326th in rebounds, 436th in steals, 470th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 93rd in assists, 165th in blocks, 191st in rebounds, 194th in steals, 219th in scoring
French forward Boris Diaw was a do-everything forward who could score a bit but also rebound. His most impressive skill, however, was as a playmaker, where he had elite vision as a creator, especially for a man of his size. Had he stayed in better shape, there’s a chance he could have been something more in the Association.
60. Tristan Thompson (Canada)
Top accolades: One NBA title, All-Rookie 2nd Team
Regular season ranking: 164th in rebounds, 271st in blocks, 697th in scoring, 844th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 85th in rebounds, 117th in blocks, 367th in scoring, 527th in steals, 631st in assists
At his best, Tristan Thompson was a ferocious offensive rebounder and a fantastic screen-setter who could finish out of the pick-and-roll. He played a vital role in LeBron James’ lone title with the Cavaliers, playing with a ton of energy and defending well, even at times against switches.
61. Lauri Markkanen (Finland)
Top accolades: One All-Star, one Most Improved Player award, All-Rookie 1st Team selection
Regular season ranking: 543rd in scoring, 576th in rebounds, 718th in blocks, 988th in steals
A solid player early on in his NBA career, Lauri Markkanen turned into an All-Star from one season to the next, as his outside shooting and face-up scoring abilities exploded with the Jazz. Now, it’ll be about maintaining that level for Markkanen, if not improving on it.
62. Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia)
Top accolades: All-Rookie 2nd Team
Regular season ranking: 338th in scoring, 764th in rebounds, 806th in steals, 825th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 380th in scoring, 454th in steals, 520th in rebounds, 676th in assists
A swingman with great size and a quick shooting touch, Bojan Bogdanovic made a solid career in the NBA by providing instant scoring, first as a reserve but mostly as a starter. Could get hot and take over games with his shooting quickly.
63. Oscar Schmidt (Brazil)
Top accolades: One World Championship bronze medal, one FIBA Americas bronze medal
A scoring machine, Oscar Schmidt was all offense, but with literally no defense to go with it. Before LeBron James passed him, he was the all-time leading scorer in basketball history… though mostly playing for not-so-great teams.
64. Rick Fox (Canada)
Top accolades: Three NBA titles, All-Rookie 2nd Team
Regular season ranking: 199th in steals, 305th in assists, 431st in blocks, 482nd in scoring, 500th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 154th in steals, 190th in assists, 308th in rebounds, 347th in scoring, 350th in blocks
A reliable role player at the swingman spot during the Shaq and Kobe dynasty of the Lakers, Rick Fox was the glue that helped keep the team together, never trying to do too much but coming through when he was needed. Fox always kept the ball moving, could hit an open shot and defended well enough for his position.
65. Evan Fournier (France)
Top accolades: Two Olympic silver medals, two World Cup bronze medals, two Eurobasket bronze medals
Regular season ranking: 436th in scoring, 467th in steals, 550th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 705th in steals, 969th in scoring
Evan Fournier may not thrive in any one area on offense, but he’s a reliable three-level scorer who can get hot at a moment’s notice and doubles as a solid playmaker. His defense may not be much to write home about, but he can do some scoring off the dribble with his soft shooting touch.
66. Predrag Danilovic (Serbia)
Top accolades: One Olympic silver medal, four Eurobasket gold medals, two Euroleague titles, one Euroleague Final Four MVP
Predrag Danilovic was an elite scorer in Europe who did a whole lot of winning overseas. Had a lethal shooting touch, which he paired with stingy defensive chops. Did not shy away in big moments.
67. Marcin Gortat (Poland)
Top accolades: One German League title, three German Cup titles
Regular season ranking: 132nd in blocks, 166th in rebounds, 575th in scoring, 832nd in steals
Playoffs ranking: 129th in blocks, 188th in rebounds, 462nd in scoring, 574th in steals, 637th in assists
Affectionately called the Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat was a deadly scorer out of the pick-and-roll, particularly later on in his career once he got out from under Dwight Howard’s shadow. Gortat had excellent hands and used his strength well when setting screens and attacking the glass.
68. Nikos Galis (Greece)
Top accolades: One Eurobasket gold medal, one Eurobasket MVP
Nikos Galis became one of the best scorers in FIBA basketball history and put Greece on the basketball map after four years of college basketball at Seton Hall. A solid playmaker and a ferocious competitor, he was also a strong player for Euro standards back in the day, often playing bigger than his actual size.
69. Victor Wembanyama (France)
Top accolades: One All-Star, one All-Defensive 1st Team selection, Rookie of the Year, one Olympic silver medal
Regular season ranking: 339th in blocks
Deciding where to place Victor Wembanyama in this ranking this early in his career was a difficult exercise for HoopsHype voters. On one hand, he’s only 21 with just 117 NBA games of experience. On the other hand, his performance over the past year and a half was something many players ahead of him on this list could never match, highlighted by an All-Star selection and a silver medal (which could have been gold with a few lucky bounces) at the Paris Olympics. For now, he lands at No. 69, with the expectation he’ll rise quickly if his health permits.
70. Joe Ingles (Australia)
Top accolades: One Olympic bronze medal, one Euroleague title
Regular season ranking: 314th in assists, 462nd in steals, 842nd in scoring, 897th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 277th in steals, 279th in assists, 544th in scoring, 570th in rebounds, 732nd in blocks
Joe Ingles didn’t reach the NBA until age 27, and even then it took time for him to find his footing. An outstanding shooter, he also proved to be an underrated defender and a crafty playmaker out of the pick-and-roll.
71. Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia)
Top accolades: All-Rookie 2nd Team selection, one Olympic silver medal, one Olympic bronze medal, two World Cup silver medals, one Eurobasket silver medal, one Euroleague title
Regular season ranking: 615th in assists, 636th in steals, 658th in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 424th in steals, 566th in assists, 603rd in scoring, 639th in blocks, 767th in rebounds
A confident scorer, especially from the perimeter, Bogdan Bogdanovic can get hot from the outside thanks to his lightning-quick jumper and high release point. He’s not one to avoid taking the big shots on any given night, though his defense has not been that impressive.
72. Deandre Ayton (Bahamas)
Top accolades: All-Rookie 1st Team
Regular season ranking: 393rd in rebounds, 395th in blocks, 731st in scoring
Playoffs ranking: 215th in rebounds, 235th in blocks, 356th in scoring, 560th in steals, 788th in assists
A center gifted with many important tools, including prototypical size and length, good athleticism and great hands, Deandre Ayton’s struggle with making an impact outside of the box score cost him his job with Phoenix. Some hoped a change of scenery and lessened expectations would help Ayton learn to play winning basketball and help him reach his potential. That was not the case in Portland. Maybe with the Lakers?
73. OG Anunoby (Great Britain)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-Defensive 2nd Team selection
Regular season ranking: 446th in steals, 548th in blocks, 750th in scoring, 924th in rebounds
Playoffs ranking: 185th in blocks, 216th in steals, 348th in scoring, 434th in rebounds, 702nd in assists
A top-notch two-way player who was impressively able to improve his scoring skills as his career progressed to become more than just a 3-and-D wing, OG Anunoby, a native of London, cracks this list for the first time ahead of 2025-26, with so much of his prime left to go. That means it wouldn’t be surprising to see Anunoby move up this list over the years to come.
74. Swen Nater (Netherlands)
Top accolades: Two All-ABA 2nd Team selections, two ABA All-Star selections
Regular season ranking: 249th in rebounds, 700th in blocks, 792nd in scoring, 977th in assists
One of the best players in Clippers’ franchise history until recent years, Swen Nater was a big man with little range but who was a monster rebounder, leading the NBA and the ABA in nightly rebounds one time apiece. Also a very reliable finisher down low.
75. Alperen Sengun (Turkey)
Top accolades: One All-Star, one Eurobasket silver medal
Regular season ranking: 652nd in blocks, 796th in rebounds, 845th in assists
Playoffs ranking: 910th in steals, 975th in assists
Of all the players who made this list for the first time ahead of 2025-26, it’s Alperen Sengun who has the most potential to make a huge leap thanks to his excellent post-up game, solid face-up skills and creative playmaking out of the center position. If Sengun can just improve his outside shooting, he could really start to make some noise and turn into a perennial All-Star – if not more.
76. Buddy Hield (Bahamas)
Top accolades: All-Rookie 1st Team
Regular season ranking: 367th in scoring, 470th in steals, 540th in assists, 637th in rebounds, 697th in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 866th in steals, 912th in blocks
The third-leading scorer from his draft class, Buddy Hield has carved out a very nice NBA career thanks to his elite three-point shooting and his ability to hit shots with a high degree of difficulty.
77. Jose Juan Barea (Puerto Rico)
Top accolades: One NBA title, two FIBA Americas medals, three Centrobasket gold medals, two Centrobasket MVP awards
Regular season ranking: 201st in assists, 632nd in scoring, 940th in steals
Playoffs ranking: 300th in assists, 661st in scoring, 842nd in steals, 919th in rebounds
An absolute pest on both ends of the floor in his career, Jose Juan Barea was never afraid of taking a huge shot and could knock them down from all over the floor, even off the dribble. Could also finish around the basket thanks to a pretty tear-drop floater. Although vertically limited, he was able to use his body well on post-up attempts (ask LeBron James about that) and was always willing to take charges.
78. Luguentz Dort (Canada)
Top accolades: One NBA title, one All-Defensive 1st Team selection, one World Cup bronze medal
Regular season ranking: 909th in steals, 962nd in blocks
Playoffs ranking: 373rd in steals, 480th in blocks, 669th in rebounds, 700th in scoring, 880th in assists
Luguentz Dort is one of the top guard defenders of his era, an all-out energy player who is willing to lay his body on the line to earn his team extra possessions. A Canadian two-way 2-guard, Dort also did a good job to develop his offensive skills throughout his career, becoming a very solid three-point shooter to go with his pest-like defending.
79. Vassilis Spanoulis (Greece)
Top accolades: One World Cup silver medal, one Eurobasket gold medal, three Euroleague titles, one Euroleague MVP award, three Euroleague Final Four MVPs
Jeff Van Gundy was no fan of his, as the ball-handling, bombastic shooting guard Vassilis Spanoulis played just 272 minutes in his lone NBA season with the Rockets. But in Europe, he’s an absolute legend and has gone down as one of the most clutch players in FIBA basketball.
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