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The rise of international players in the NBA
Updated On: 28 November, 2021 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The last three seasons have seen international players win the KIA Most Valuable Player award, with Serbian Nikola Jokic standing as the reigning MVP
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(L to R) Kemba Walker of the US, Greece`s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Australia`s Patty Mills, Serbia`s Nikola Jokic and Spain`s Marc Gasol. Pic/ AFP
The NBA has shown its appeal as a truly global league, enticing fans and players from different corners of the world to be united by the love of basketball. The 75th Anniversary Season of the NBA celebrates the growth of basketball over the years, something that has been evident with the growing number of international players participating in the league.
The 2021-22 marks the eighth consecutive season that opening-night rosters featured at least 100 international players. The number of international players in the NBA has grown from five in the league’s first season in 1946-47 to a record 113 at the start of the 2016-17 season. Currently, the NBA has 109 international players from 39 countries. The Toronto Raptors feature a record-tying 10 international players, followed by the Dallas Mavericks (7) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (7).
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