There was a time when international players in the NBA were a novelty, skilled but unproven, often dismissed as soft or slow. That era is long gone. Over the past 40 years, European basketball has evolved into a global powerhouse, producing some of the most dominant, creative, and intelligent players in the game.
Today, many of the NBA’s brightest stars are international and a large portion of them come from Europe. From the polished fundamentals of 1990s pioneers like Dražen Petrović to the revolutionary impact of modern megastars like Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić, European players have not just caught up—they've taken over.
The league’s MVP trophies, championship banners, and highlight reels now feature a heavy European accent. These players didn’t just adapt to the American game—they helped reinvent it. They’ve brought passing bigs, positionless wings, and silky jump shots into the mainstream.
So, who are the greatest European players to ever step foot on an NBA court?
We present to you: The European Dream Team.
European Dream Team - Starting Five
Luka Doncic -Slovenia
Position: Point Guard
Best NBA Season: 2022–23 — 32.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.0 APG
Awards: 2019 NBA Rookie of The Year, 5× All-Star (as of 2024)
The phenom from Slovenia, Dončić should’ve been the #1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. At just 18, he won EuroLeague MVP and led Real Madrid to a title before entering the NBA. His combination of size, vision, and scoring instinct make him one of the most complete guards in history—and he’s just getting started.
Drazen Petrovic - Yugoslavia
Position: Shooting Guard
Best NBA Season: 1992–93 — 22.3 PPG with the New Jersey Nets
Awards: Inducted into Naismith Hall of Fame (2002, posthumously)
Petrović was the original European trailblazer in the NBA. A deadly shooter and fierce competitor, he proved Europeans could dominate at the NBA level. His tragic death in 1993 cut short what could have been an even more legendary career.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Greece
Position: Forward
Best NBA Season: 2019–20 — 29.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 5.6 APG
Awards: 2× NBA MVP (2019, 2020), 2021 NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP
A physical marvel and relentless force, Giannis redefined what a forward could be. His work ethic and humility off the court, combined with his explosiveness and power on the court, have made him the face of the modern NBA.
Dirk Nowitzki - Germany
Position: Power Forward
Best NBA Season: 2006–07 — 24.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG
Awards: 2007 NBA MVP, 2011 NBA Champion, 14× All-Star
The greatest shooting big man in NBA history, Dirk revolutionized the power forward position. His one-legged fadeaway became iconic, and his loyalty to Dallas led to one of the most memorable championship runs in 2011.
Nikola Jokic - Serbia
Position: Center
Best NBA Season: 2022–23 — 24.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 9.8 APG
Awards: 3× NBA MVP (2021, 2022, 2024), 2023 NBA Champion, Finals MVP
Jokić is a basketball savant. A center who passes like a point guard and scores with ease, he’s changing how we think about the center position. His calm demeanor belies his dominance, and his efficiency and IQ are unmatched.
Euorpean Dream Team - Second Five / Bench
Tony Parker - France
Position: Point Guard
Best NBA Season: 2008–09 — 22.0 PPG, 6.9 APG
Awards: 4× NBA Champion, 2007 NBA Finals MVP
Lightning quick and clutch in big games, Parker was the engine of the Spurs dynasty. His teardrop floater and ability to control the pace made him one of the greatest point guards of his generation.
Hedo Turkoglu - Turkey
Position: Guard / Forward
Best NBA Season: 2007–08 — 19.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG
Awards: 2008 NBA Most Improved Player
A versatile wing with court vision and a knack for big shots, Hedo played a key role in Orlando’s 2009 Finals run. His all-around skill set and size made him a matchup nightmare.
Peja Stojaković - Serbia
Position: Small Forward
Best NBA Season: 2003–04 — 24.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG
Awards: 3× All-Star, 2011 NBA Champion
One of the most prolific shooters in NBA history, Peja was a cornerstone of the high-powered early 2000s Kings. His smooth stroke and scoring consistency made him an deadly long range threat.
Pau Gasol - Spain
Position: Power Forward / Center
Best NBA Season: 2006–07 — 20.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.4 APG
Awards: 2× NBA Champion, 6× All-Star, 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year
Gasol brought finesse and intelligence to the big man role. He was the perfect complement to Kobe Bryant during the Lakers’ 2009 and 2010 title runs. A true international ambassador for the game.
Victor Wembanyama - France
Position: Center
Best NBA Season (so far): 2023–24 — 21.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.6 BPG
Awards: 2024 NBA Rookie of The Year
The most hyped prospect since LeBron, Wemby’s rookie season lived up to expectations. His length, skill, and agility make him a generational talent and a future cornerstone for any all-time list.
Vlade Divac - Serbia
Position: Center
Best NBA Season: 1994–95 — 16.0 PPG, 10.4 RPG
Awards: NBA All-Star (2001)
A skilled passing big man before it was trendy, Divac helped usher in the European big man era in the NBA. He was one of the first European players to come over after he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989 with the 26th overall pick in the 1st round of the NBA Draft. Divac was one of the best Centers in the NBA during his time. He stared for the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings.
Arvydas Sabonis - Lithuanian
Position: Center
Best NBA Season: 1997–98 — 16.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG
Awards: 1985 EuroBasket MVP, FIBA Hall of Fame
Though his NBA career came late, a prime Sabonis was unstoppable. His vision and power made him one of the best big men in basketball history—even if American fans only saw the tail end.
Detlef Schrempf - Germany
Position: Forward
Best NBA Season: 1994–95 — 19.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.8 APG
Awards: 3× All-Star, 2× Sixth Man of the Year
Schrempf was ahead of his time—versatile, efficient, and unselfish. He was a key piece for contending teams in Seattle and Indiana.
Just Missed: European Dream Team
Sarunas Marciulionis - Lithuana
Position: Shooting Guard
Best NBA Season: 1991–92 (Golden State Warriors) — 18.9 PPG, 3.4 APG, 53.4 FG%
Awards: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (2014), First Soviet player to join the NBA (1989), FIBA Hall of Fame
One of the earliest international guards to succeed in the NBA, Marčiulionis brought grit, toughness, and scoring to the Golden State Warriors. His relentless drives to the hoop and fearless play opened doors for Eastern European players.
Marc Gasol - Spain
Position: Center
Best NBA Season: 2016–17 — 19.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.6 APG
Awards: 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 3× NBA All-Star, 2019 NBA Champion (Toronto Raptors), All-NBA First Team (2015)
The younger Gasol brother, Marc was a cornerstone of the "Grit and Grind" Memphis Grizzlies. He anchored one of the league's best defenses for nearly a decade, while also possessing elite passing and shooting for a center.
Alperen Şengün - Turkey
Position: Center
Best NBA Season: 2023–24 — 21.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.0 APG (Houston Rockets)
Awards: 2021 Turkish League MVP before joining the NBA
A young phenom with Jokic-like skills, Şengün is already one of the most creative passing big men in the league. His footwork, soft touch, and basketball IQ make him a future All-Star candidate and a key piece for the Rockets' rebuild.
Andre Kirilenko - Russia
Position: Forward
Best NBA Season: 2003–04 — 16.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.8 BPG, 1.9 SPG
Awards: 2004 NBA All-Star, 3× NBA All-Defensive Team, EuroBasket MVP (2007), Olympic Bronze Medalist (2012)
“AK-47” was a defensive swiss army knife—blocking shots, stealing passes, and guarding multiple positions. His all-around stat lines were rare, and his unselfish play made him a fan favorite in Utah.
Tony Kukoc - Croatia
Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
Best NBA Season: 1995–96 — 13.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.5 APG (6th Man for 72-win Bulls)
Awards: 3× NBA Champion (1996–98), 1996 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (2021), Multiple EuroLeague and FIBA titles pre-NBA
Kukoč was a crafty playmaker and deadly shooter who thrived in Phil Jackson's triangle offense. He helped globalize the Bulls' dynasty and was one of the first true “point forwards” in NBA history.
Domantas Sabonis - Lithuana
Position: Power Forward / Center
Best NBA Season: 2022–23 — 19.1 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 7.3 APG (NBA leader in rebounds)
Awards: 3× NBA All-Star, All-NBA Third Team (2023), 2023 NBA rebounding leader
Like his father, Domantas has elite basketball IQ. He’s known for his passing, toughness, and relentless rebounding. As the focal point of the Sacramento Kings, he’s helped turn them into playoff contenders again.
Lauri Markkanen - Finland
Position: Power Forward
Best NBA Season: 2022–23 — 25.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 49.9 FG%, 39.1 3P%
Awards: 2023 NBA Most Improved Player, NBA All-Star (2023)
Markkanen blossomed into a franchise player with the Utah Jazz, combining his size and elite shooting to become one of the most versatile scoring forwards in the league. He’s the greatest Finnish player in NBA history.
Franz Wagner - Germany
Position: Guard / Forward
Best NBA Season: 2023–24 — 19.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.7 APG
Awards: 2023 FIBA World Cup Champion with Germany, NBA All-Rookie First Team (2022)
Franz is a two-way wing with poise, IQ, and a smooth offensive game. He’s quickly becoming a leader for the Orlando Magic and a star for Germany’s national team. With his size and feel, his ceiling is very high. Will there come a time when the top 10 players in the NBA are all international?
Future Outlook
It’s not as far-fetched as it once seemed. As of 2025, no American-born player has won the NBA MVP in the last seven years. That stretch includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid. The balance of power has shifted. European players aren’t just competing. They’re leading.
The pipeline from Europe is deeper and more skilled than ever. From established icons to rising phenoms like Victor Wembanyama and Alperen Sengun, the next generation is ready to carry the torch and possibly take over completely.
If the past four decades were about proving that Europeans belonged, the next may be about proving they dominate. The question is no longer if the NBA is international. It’s how much more international it will become.
European Dream Team Honorable Mention:
Rudy Fernandez Spain, Ricky Rubio Spain, Rudy Gobert France, Rik Smits Netherlands, Goran Dragic Slovenia, Zydrunas Ilgauskas Lithuana, Danilo Gallanari Italy, Kristaps Porzingis Latvia, Dejan Bodiroga Serbia, Jose Calderon Spain, Boris Diaw France, Dino Rada Croatia, Bojan Bogdanović Croatia