The NBA continues increasing its international attain because the 2025-26 season ideas off with a document 135 worldwide gamers from 43 international locations and 6 continents on opening-night rosters, the league announced Tuesday.
It marks the twelfth straight season that the NBA has featured at the least 100 worldwide gamers to start the season, highlighting how basketball’s reputation has developed far past American borders. The document surpasses the earlier mark of 125 worldwide gamers set within the 2023-24 season.
The NBA common season opens Tuesday.
Canada leads the best way
Canada as soon as once more leads all non-U.S. international locations with 23 gamers, persevering with its run as a rising basketball powerhouse. France, Australia and Germany comply with, every producing seven gamers on opening-night rosters. The inflow of worldwide expertise from these nations displays the increasing international improvement pipelines that proceed to feed the league.
The Atlanta Hawks will start the season with a record-tying 10 worldwide gamers, essentially the most of any workforce. The Portland Path Blazers and Golden State Warriors every have seven. Each NBA franchise has at the least one participant born exterior the US, an indication that worldwide presence is now not the exception however the usual.
Worldwide gamers main candidates for MVP
Europe continues to supply essentially the most worldwide expertise, with a document 71 gamers from the continent. Amongst them are reigning MVP Nikola Jokić of Serbia (Denver Nuggets), Luka Dončić of Slovenia (Los Angeles Lakers), Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece (Milwaukee Bucks) and rising French star Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) .
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has long pointed to the league’s global expansion as one of its defining achievements. With international academies, youth development programs and preseason exhibitions held in countries such as the Philippines, France and the United Arab Emirates, the league has positioned itself as the premier global basketball brand.
The NBA’s growing international footprint has also benefited its business interests, boosting television ratings, merchandise sales and fan engagement in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As players from more nations continue to make an impact, their popularity at home further fuels the league’s worldwide visibility.
