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In this list, we check out the NBA Power Rankings for the top 5 international players in the league this season. NBA basketball has become a global force as its popularity reaches new heights each passing year. Spanning its influence over several continents, one can easily find fans donning jerseys of their favorite NBA players almost everywhere.
The league itself has become ever more international. Adding more talent from abroad, teams now feature an increasing number of international players in their roster. Even the game has evolved with new styles of play brought by young NBA talent from around the world.
Here are the top 5 foreign NBA players going into the 2020-21 season:
#5: Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia (Dallas Mavericks)
Among the best foreign NBA players in the league right now, Kristaps Porzingis can score and defend at an elite level. Standing tall at 7'3", the Latvian can play both center and power forward positions. Currently out with a knee injury, he is rumored to return in a few weeks to join his teammate and another international player featured in this list, Luka Doncic.
Porzingis averaged 20.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks last season with the Dallas Mavericks. Poised to improve in all aspects of his game, he may rank higher in future NBA power rankings.
#4: Joel Embiid, Cameroon (Philadelphia 76ers)
Joel Embiid is a big man with the skill set of a guard. He can score in a variety of ways — be it posting up, driving to the basket, or shooting from a distance. He is the centerpiece around which Philadelphia 76ers hope to build a squad capable of reaching the NBA Finals.
Now with new coach Doc Rivers at the helm, Embiid should see a significant improvement this season. His last season averages were 23.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 blocks. A deep playoff run will see the big man from Cameroon climb higher in NBA power rankings.
#3: Nikola Jokic, Serbia (Denver Nuggets)
Fresh off his deep playoff run, Nikola Jokic had a terrific NBA season averaging 19.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in 32 minutes per game. He is a special talent who can hurt opposing teams with his scoring, passing, and rebounding abilities.
Jokic is a fierce leader who carried his Nuggets to the No. 2 seed in the West last year. In the postseason, they surprised everyone and made it to the Conference Finals, where they lost to the LA Lakers in five games.
#2: Luka Doncic, Slovenia (Dallas Mavericks)
21-year-old Luka Doncic is entering his third year in the NBA. Last season, the Slovenian guard averaged 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in 33.6 minutes per game.
His talent and prospects for the future are looking bright for a good reason. His versatile style of play is revered in today's NBA.
He has the size of a forward and the handles of a point guard, making him a nightmare defensive assignment for any opposing team. With time and more game-time experience, Luka is poised to reach the top of multiple NBA Power Rankings.
#1: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece (Milwaukee Bucks)
Coming in at no. 1 is the 'Greek Freak' and the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Winning back-to-back MVP awards is no easy feat and most NBA stars don't even have one MVP credit to their names.
In his first two seasons with the Bucks, Giannis has tormented opposing teams with his monstrous abilities on both ends of the floor. Like other mentions in this list, Giannis too can play multiple positions that range from shooting guard to small forward and at times even power forward.
His last seasons' averages are 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game. The Bucks 2019-2020 postseason was a disappointment, and fans will be hoping to see them do better this time around.
