The 2025-26 NBA season is set to begin with a truly international flair, featuring a record 135 players from 43 different countries and six continents. This marks the fifth year in a row with at least 120 international players, proving that basketball talent knows no borders. Every single one of the 30 NBA teams has at least one player from outside the United States on their roster, highlighting the league’s global reach.
🌍 A New Record for Global Talent
The NBA’s opening-night rosters show just how much the league has grown internationally. This season’s 135 international players surpasses the previous record of 125, while the 43 countries represented ties an all-time high. This trend reflects the continuous growth of basketball’s popularity around the world and the NBA’s success in attracting the best players, wherever they may be from.
🇪🇺 Europe’s Dominant Presence
A record 71 players come from Europe, with France leading the way with an impressive 19 players. This group includes some of the biggest names in the game today, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) from Greece, Nikola Jokić (Nuggets) from Serbia, Luka Dončić (Lakers) from Slovenia, and last season’s Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) from France. Their success on the court continues to inspire a new generation of European talent.
🇨🇦 Canada and Australia Lead the Way
For the 12th consecutive season, Canada is the most-represented country outside of the U.S. with 23 players, led by last season’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder. Following Canada and France, Australia also has a strong showing with a record-tying 13 players. On the team front, the Hawks lead the league with a record-tying 10 international players, followed by the Trail Blazers and Warriors, who each have seven.
🏀 Celebrating African Heritage and a New Season
The league also celebrates a strong connection to Africa, with over 55 players who were either born in Africa or have at least one parent from the continent. This includes superstars like Joel Embiid (76ers) and Pascal Siakam (Pacers), both from Cameroon. As the 80th NBA season tips off, fans can look forward to watching this diverse pool of talent compete, starting with an exciting opening night doubleheader featuring the defending champion Thunder against the Rockets, followed by the Warriors visiting the Lakers.
