Feb 26

Feb 26 The Greatest European Players in NBA History

Josh Stedman

Opinion

The Best Players From Europe in NBA History

Before the 1990s, the idea that a European player could be the best player on the court would be laughed at.

Now, it’s ever-present on any court in the NBA.

From Toni Kukoč in the 90s to modern-day European champions such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, there are lots of NBA legends from that part of the world!

The influx of European talent has made the NBA adapt, and it’s also improved the game.

With the two styles of basketball clashing on the greatest basketball stage of them all, we’ve been treated to some fantastic clashes of culture.

Some of the greatest European players could give the likes of Michael Jordan and LeBron James a run for their money.

But who is the greatest European player in NBA history? These are our top 5!

5. Luka Dončić (Slovenia)

If you revisit this topic in ten years’ time, Luka Dončić may be sitting pretty at the top of the pile.

His talent is clear for everyone to see. If he can lead the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA title, it’ll be hard to argue with him being number one.

Making The Move State Side

Initially drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, Luka was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

Mavs head coach at the time, Rick Carlisle, said: "At one point, we thought there might be a slight chance Dončić could fall to us, but a couple of days ago it was pretty clear that there was no way that was going to happen.

He's just too good. We get a guy we think is franchise foundation piece.”

Carlisle knew what was to come with Luka.

Luka made an immediate impact on the court for the Mavs. He became their youngest 20-point scorer and a week later he hit his first 30-point game.

This was shortly followed by his first double-double. In his rookie season, he became the youngest NBA player to make seven three-pointers in a game.

At the end of this season, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

After individual success in his rookie year, Luka turned his sights on success with the Mavs. However, this didn’t mean personal successes wouldn't keep coming.

It was in his second season that he made his first All-Star appearance. He also became the youngest player to have 35-point triple-doubles in succession.

Luka helped guide the Mavs to the play-offs. He scored 42, which is the most ever in an NBA play-offs debut.

Top Achievements

Three All-NBA 1st Team selections, three All-Stars, one Eurobasket gold medal, one Euroleague title, one Euroleague MVP award and one Euroleague Final Four MVP award.

4. Nikola Jokić (Serbia)

Another modern-day European NBA player, Nikola Jokić. The Joker has been a real force in the NBA since being drafted back in 2014.

Making A Statement In Denver

In his first NBA season, Jokić showed just how much of a threat he could be for the Nuggets.

His best performance came in November 2015, when the Joker had 23 points and 12 rebounds.

At the end of the season, he was voted third in the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year and he was in the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

After impressing in the following seasons, Jokić further stepped up his game. In the 2020/21 season, Jokić was voted the NBA’s MVP for the regular season.

By doing so, he became the first centre to win the award since Shaquille O’Neal. The following year, he went on to win another MVP for the regular season.

Just like Luka, Jokić will be desperate to claim an NBA trophy with the Nuggets to cement his place in the record books.

Top Achievements

Two MVP awards, three All-NBA 1st Team selections, four All-Stars and one Olympic silver medal.

3. Pau Gasol (Spain)

A two-time NBA title holder, Gasol played a crucial role in both of the titles won by the Lakers.

Pau Gasol was fantastic around the rim, but he also possessed great ball skills.

Moving To Memphis

Gasol was selected as a third pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks then traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies.

His rookie season was a fine season for the Spaniard. Gasol became the first foreign player to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

He averaged 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and was also the only team member to play in all 82 games that season.

In 2006, five years after being drafted into the NBA, Gasol was selected to play in the All-Star Game.

He was the first Spanish basketball player, as well as the first Grizzlies player to ever make it to the All-Star Game.

Traded To LA

In 2008, Gasol was traded to the LA Lakers.

The move to LA saw the Lakers with Gasol and Kobe Bryant on one roster. Bryant stated that he and Gasol clicked straight away on the court.

His first season with the Lakers ended with a loss in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, but Gasol reaching the finals made him the first Spaniard to do so.

The following two seasons saw Gasol and the Lakers reach the NBA Finals again.

This time they were able to win both Finals, as they claimed back-to-back NBA titles.

On the back of their second title win, Gasol was named in the All-NBA second team for the first time.

Gasol spent another three years with the Lakers before playing with the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks.

Top Achievements

Two NBA titles, four All-NBA selections, six All-Stars, three Olympic medals, one World Cup gold medal, seven Eurobasket medals, one World Cup MVP award and two Eurobasket MVP awards.

2. Dirk Nowitzki (Germany)

Nowitzki is one of the best offensive players the NBA has ever seen.

Personally, Nowitzki didn’t just carry those Mavs teams to multiple deep playoff runs and ultimately a championship, he did so without star companions.

Adapting To Life In America

Nowitzki impressed during his time playing in his own country for DJK Würzburg.

After four years playing in the German league, he passed up college chances to go straight to the NBA. Nowitzki was a ninth pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft for the Milwaukee Bucks.

He was then traded to the Dallas Mavericks as part of a multi-team deal.

At first, he struggled to adapt to the NBA.

Speaking about the start of his NBA career, the German said: "I was so frustrated I even contemplated going back to Germany. … [the jump from Second Bundesliga to the NBA] was like jumping out of an aeroplane hoping the parachute would somehow open.”

Despite this early struggle, Nowitzki came good for a Mavericks team that hadn’t reached the play-offs since 1990.

The turnaround in Nowitzki’s fortunes ran side-by-side with the Mavericks, as they were bought by billionaire Mark Cuban.

Turning Dallas Into an NBA Force

In the next ten years, Nowitzki played a pivotal role in turning the Mavericks into a real force in the NBA.

Nowitzki picked up various personal awards, including several All-Star selections and an NBA MVP.

Nowitzki and the Mavericks finally got their reward for years of effort in the 2010/11 season. The championship was the first in the history of the franchise.

Nowitzki was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. In winning the title, they beat LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Nowitzki's contribution to that title win is ranked as one of the best individual performances.

He won with no other real star players around him in the team. He’s remembered as one of the greatest players to pull on the Mavs jersey.

Top Achievements

One NBA title, one Finals MVP, one MVP, 12 All-NBA selections, 14 All-Stars, one World Cup bronze medal and one Eurobasket silver medal.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)

Finishing in the number one spot for our best European NBA players of all-time is the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

A modern-day NBA star with lots of time left in his career, Antetokounmpo is already an NBA legend.

Athens to Milwaukee

After impressing in Greece, Giannis made himself eligible for the 2013 NBA Draft.

He was the 15th overall pick in the first round.

He averaged 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 77 appearances during his rookie season.

Antetokounmpo's fourth year in the NBA with the Bucks was his breakout year. After signing a four-year extension worth $100 million, he stepped up his game on the court.

His improved performances led to a selection as a starter in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. Giannis’ selection meant he was the first ever Greek to play in the All-Star Game.

Antetokounmpo finished the 2016/17 season leading the Bucks in every one of the five major statistical categories, becoming only the fifth player to do so for a franchise.

He was awarded the NBA Most Improved Player Award.

Individual and Franchise Success

The Bucks started the 2018/19 season off in fine form, thanks to the impressive Antetokounmpo.

Giannis helped guide the Bucks to a 60-22 season record, the best in the league.

In the playoffs, the Bucks lost to the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite this setback, Giannis was named the league’s MVP.

The following season, Giannis was named MVP for the second time.

This time, he was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He joined Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan as the only players to win both awards in the same season.

In 2020, Antetokounmpo re-signed with the Bucks, agreeing to a 5-year, $228 million extension, the largest in league history.

In the NBA 2021 All-Star Game, Giannis became the first non-American to win the All-Star MVP., proving his worth to the Bucks and the league.

The Bucks finished the 2020–21 season with a 46–26 record, clinching the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

This time, there was to be no playoff disappointment for Giannis and the Bucks.

In his first NBA finals appearance, Giannis registered back-to-back 40-point games.

Despite losing their opening two games, the Bucks completed a spectacular comeback.

In Game 6, Antetokounmpo recorded 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks as the Bucks won their first championship in 50 years.

He was voted the finals MVP, becoming the first European to do so since Nowitzki.

Giannis has continued to blossom since winning his first NBA ring.

He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history with back-to-back games of at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists.

He’ll be keen to add more rings and MVP awards to his collection in the next few years.

Top Achievements

One NBA title, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, four All-NBA 1st Team selections, six All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award and four All-Defensive 1st Team selections.