NBA's Top International Players

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 15, 2007

NBA's Top International Players

Andrei Kirilenko

The versatile Jazz forward made waves before training camp with his comments about wanting out of Utah -- remarks that followed a disappointing season. But he seems to be rebounding and showing off the all-around game that compelled the Jazz to give him a maximum contract three years ago.

Leandro Barbosa

A perfect fit in the Suns' up-tempo attack, the league's top sixth man last season is off to a hot start in 2007-08. After he torched the Magic for a career-high 39 points recently, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said, "Leandro Barbosa is the fastest man in the NBA."

Luol Deng

Deng, 22, who grew up in London and became a British citizen in 2006, improved his scoring, rebounding and shooting percentage in each of his first three seasons. Now in his fourth year, he's famously been the subject of trade rumors involving Kobe Bryant.

Pau Gasol

Gasol has been consistently productive since coming to the NBA in 2001. The 2002 Rookie of the Year and '06 All-Star has averaged at least 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in each of his first six seasons, though he's yet to win a playoff game in three postseason trips with the Grizzlies.

Manu Ginobili

One of the all-time draft steals -- the Spurs picked him No. 57 overall in the 1999 draft -- Ginobili has won three NBA titles and an Olympic gold medal since 2003. He's selflessly accepted a sixth-man role with San Antonio.

Tony Parker

Born in Belgium and raised in France, Parker seized the Spurs' starting point guard job early in his rookie season at age 19. Just 25, the reigning NBA Finals MVP already has won three titles and appeared in 100 playoff games.

Yao Ming

Yao has developed into a 25-and-10 force. The next step is to experience some playoff success alongside Rockets teammate Tracy McGrady, who also has yet to win a postseason series.

Dirk Nowitzki

After back-to-back third-place finishes in the MVP balloting, the Mavericks' 7-foot forward last season became the first European-born player to win the award.

Steve Nash

Although he was denied a third consecutive MVP award last season, the Suns' point guard did become the fifth player to lead the NBA in assists for three or more consecutive seasons.

Tim Duncan

Since Duncan's arrival in 1997, the Spurs have won 71 percent of their regular-season games (the highest mark in major professional sports) and claimed four championships.