Top 10 European NBA players entering the 2021-22 season

#7 Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis was drafted 4th overall by the New York Knicks in 2015. He had some terrific performances for them, including a 40 point performance against the Indiana Pacers in the 2017-18 season.

An ACL injury derailed his career, as he would be ruled out of action for a while, after which he never returned to the Knicks.

Porzingis signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2019. He was set to be paired up with fellow European prodigy Luka Doncic. In his first full season with the Mavs, he averaged 20.4 PPG. He impressed in their playoff runs as well, but Luka Doncic's injury was too heavy to handle as they fell to the Clippers in the second round.

Although he had a poor playoff performance this year, there is no doubting his potential. His ability to shoot the ball so effectively, despite being 7 foot 3 makes him a special talent.

# 6 Nikola Vucevic

Nikola Vucevic was drafted 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011. However, his career peaked when he moved to the Orlando Magic the following season. The center made a name for himself as one of the stars in the league after some sensational performances with Magic.

He was first named an all-star in 2019. That year, Montenegrin averaged 20.8 PPG and became the first Magic player since Dwight Howard to be an All-Star. His move to the Chicago Bulls will further help elevate his career, as he gets to play alongside other stars of the game like Lonzo Ball, Demar DeRozan and Zach Lavine.

#5 Domantas Sabonis

Indiana Pacers v Washington Wizards - Play-In Tournament

Domantas Sabonis was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2016, but was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft night. He played in 81 games for the Thunder and averaged 20.1 minutes in his first season. However, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers along with Victor Oladipo for Paul George.

Sabonis' career has grown massively since then. He became one of the stars to be reckoned with and bagged two consecutive All-Star appearances in 2020 and 2021. The Lithuanian is a double-double machine and will look to continue his exploits this season to help the Pacers into the Playoffs.

# 4 Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert was drafted 27th overall by the Denver Nuggets, but was later traded to Utah Jazz on draft night. He has since then become one of the best defensive players in the league. The French international has three Defensive Player of the Year trophies to his name.

He is one of the best shot blockers in the league and his brilliance in the paint has helped him get into 5 NBA All- defensive first teams. Gobert has been very impactful for the Jazz and his stellar performance helped them become the Number 1 seed in the Western Conference last season.

Still aged 29, Gobert has a long way to go. He will be hoping to elevate his game and take the Utah Jazz closer to the NBA Championship this year.