The NBA’s growing global appeal continues to attract top talent from every corner of the world. We’ve seen international stars like Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić divide the league with debates with their charm. There are predictions that more talented European players will grace the NBA. However, this international wave has been reshaping the league for some time now, thanks in large part to the trailblazing efforts of former NBA players who paved the way for this new era. One of those legends is now even playing a crucial role in NBA expansion in Europe!

Guess who? He is also the majority owner of the French professional basketball team ASVEL. Having played for 18 seasons in the league, Parker led the Spurs to four championship titles. The 6× NBA All-Star made his name in both the NBA and other tournaments. He won the FIBA EuroBasket Top Scorer award and was named FIBA Europe Player of the Year twice. Parker was also the EuroBasket 2013 MVP, further cementing his legacy as one of Europe’s greatest basketball talents. But there’s more in the list.

Another European standout is Dirk Nowitzki. The German player is the only star ever to play for a single NBA franchise for an impressive 21 seasons. Renowned for his signature one-legged fadeaway and exceptional shooting touch, Nowitzki revolutionized the role of the modern big man. Not to forget, he won the Finals MVP in 2011, and that year also led the Mavericks to their first NBA championship. The former NBA player still holds most of the franchise’s records!

Another star who recently retired from the league is Pau Gasol. He was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. The 6× NBA All-Star dominated in both global tournaments and the NBA. Known for his high basketball IQ and versatile skill set, Gasol was a key figure in international basketball for Spain. Teaming up with Kobe Bryant, he led the Lakers to two NBA championships. Moving a little further back to the 1990s, there’s another European star, Toni Kukoč.

The Croatian star has one of the most decorated résumés, with FIBA EuroBasket MVP and FIBA World Championship MVP honors. And the list of accolades is long. He was part of the Bulls team that won three championships titles in the 90s. Kukoc was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Another German NBA legend is Detlef Schrempf, who played for the Indiana Pacers, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Portland Trail Blazers. The 2× NBA Sixth Man of the Year led the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals in 1996. During his run, he was named a 3× NBA All-Star. And equally impressive are the current NBA players!

Top 3 European NBA stars are stealing the spotlight

When we talk about the top European players in the NBA at present, the first name that comes to mind is Serbian star Jokić. With electrifying performances throughout the season, he posted jaw-dropping stats while leading his team. Jokić averaged a triple-double with 30.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game. The Joker may gently smile off the court, but on it, he’s all business, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 50-32 record and securing the 4th seed in the Western Conference.

And we can’t forget about the Greek Freak. Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points across 67 games this season. With 11.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, he helped lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 49-33 record and a solid 5th-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Another European star who made headlines this season was Luka Dončić, for both good and controversial reasons. After a stunning trade sent the Slovenian star to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dončić played 28 games for his new team, averaging 28.2 points per game.

But the European talent doesn’t stop there. Domantas Sabonis stood out by leading the league with an impressive 13.9 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, French sensation Victor Wembanyama may have exited the season early, but he left his mark by averaging 3.8 blocks per game. These performances are just a glimpse of what to expect in the seasons to come.