Best NBA Player from Every Country

The best NBA player from every country isn't a list that's filled with stars like Michael Jordan.

While "His Airness" is an obvious choice for the United States, there are a long list of players from various places around the world that have really contributed to the international growth of the game.

Basketball never stops, and it's become increasingly clear that the the game is continuing to grow in its popularity all over the world.

These athletes represent their countries with serious pride.

Argentina: Manu Ginobili

The No. 57 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999, and it’s fairly obvious that the club struck gold with the pick.

He’s been a key contributor for the Spurs throughout his NBA tenure, and he’s really a natural choice to represent Argentina here.

Australia: Andrew Bogut

Bogut was a first overall pick, and despite a lot of NBA fans down on him as a result of injury problems, he is an absolute force in the middle.

It’s tough to find a guy of his size that can contribute at both ends of the floor in the impressive manner that he does, and his stock will rise if he proves that he can stay healthy.

Bahamas: Mychal Thompson

Thompson, the first overall pick in 1978, was a two-time NBA champion by the time that his career came to an end.

Coming out of college, he was a consensus NCAA All-American first team member, an accolade that undoubtedly was accurately bestowed upon him.

Belize: Milt Palacio

Palacio had a seven-year NBA career, but he is still active in basketball and has continued his career internationally since moving on from the league.

It was somewhat surprising the way that his tenure in the NBA ended, but it’s nice to see that he hasn’t giving up his love affair with the game.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: J.R. Bremer

This list isn’t going to be entirely star-studded, and Bremer takes the cake for Bosnia and Herzegovina after becoming a naturalized citizen.

He played with three NBA teams (Celtics, Cavaliers, Warriors) before permanently taking his game to the European ranks.

Brazil: Nene

Nene battled some injury concerns during the early part of his career, but he’s put those firmly in the rear-view mirror.

The big man has established himself as a monster in the paint, and his efficiency to put the ball in the hole is unmatched by most that play against him.

Bulgaria: Priest Lauderdale

Lauderdale played for the Hawks and Nuggets from 1996-99, and he’s bounced around internationally since that time.

A 7’4”, 325 lb. center doesn’t come around very often, so it’s easy to see why he was selected in the first round by Atlanta.

Cameroon: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute

Mbah a Moute beat out Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje to take home the prize for Cameroon’s best player, and he’s actually a prince in his home village of Bia Messe.

He’s got a promising career ahead of him as a forward that isn’t afraid to play underneath the rim, and he’s largely been undervalued since coming out of UCLA.

Canada: Steve Nash

Nash was born in South Africa, but he's a naturalized citizen of Canada and represented the country for a substantial amount of time in international play.

A back-to-back MVP Award winner, Nash has asserted himself as one of the best point guards of his era and is a true wizard with the rock.

China: Yao Ming

This wasn’t a tough choice based on the competition that Yao faced for the nod, but what he was able to do on the court shouldn’t be understated.

He really put basketball on the map for his home country, and it’s easy to see why the Hall of Fame was quick to want to put vote him in as a contributor.

Croatia: Toni Kukoc

Kukoc really knew how to get it done on the hardwood, and he played a solid complementary role in the Bulls’ dominance during the mid-1990s.

The lefty stroke was pure, and he was usually true from a variety of locations on the court.

Cuba: Andres Guibert

After defecting from Cuba in 1993, Guibert played 22 games in the league for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He never asserted himself as anything more than a role player, and he took his talents to Europe and beyond after his NBA stint.

Czech Republic: Jan Vesely

Vesely has yet to play a game in the NBA, but this kid is going to be something special for the Wizards.

He’s got impressive size and skill, and he isn’t afraid to bang around beneath the rim, something that Washington fans should readily embrace.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Dikembe Mutombo

Mutombo’s infamous finger wag gave him a swagger on the court that was unlike any other.

A prolific producer throughout the course of his career, Mutombo was a force around the rim, and rarely did the opponent seek to challenge him.

Dominican Republic: Al Horford

Horford has really come in and put his stamp on the game despite playing as an undersized center.

He’s improved with every season that he’s spent in the NBA, and there’s no reason to think that his development will be stunted anytime soon.

Estonia: Martin Muursepp

Muursepp represents Estonia here, and he was actually a first-round draft pick by the Utah Jazz in 1996 before being traded directly to Miami.

He never really got going in the NBA as he may have hoped, but he has gone on to play in a variety of international locations afterward.

Finland: Hanno Mottola

Mottola played for the Hawks in the NBA after being selected in the second round of the 2000 draft.

After spending two seasons with the team, Mottola returned to Europe to resume his career overseas.

France: Tony Parker

There were several good choices for France, but Parker has really put himself a head above the competition with what he’s achieved in the NBA.

Although he’s a veteran of the game, he’s got plenty of time left to contribute, as he’s just 29 years old.

Gabon: Stephane Lasme

The UMass product represents Gabon, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him get another shot from a team as a defensive specialist off the bench.

He’s played with the Warriors, Heat and even spent some time in the NBDL, and he should use his time in the European ranks to help round out his raw offensive approach.

Georgia: Zaza Pachulia

Pachulia represents Georgia internationally, and as we’ve seen from him on numerous occasions, Pachulia isn’t afraid to back down from anybody.

He may not have a huge contribution in the stat sheet on a nightly basis, but his presence is well felt on the court by his teammates every single night.

Germany: Dirk Nowitzki

As if any other player could possibly qualify here, Nowitzki is the best European player to ever play in the NBA.

Coming off his first NBA championship, Nowitzki is sitting atop the world, and the big man has become one of the more unguardable players in the league.

Great Britain: Luol Deng

Deng is a naturalized citizen of Great Britain, and he’s really painted himself as a leader of the country’s team when competing in international tournaments.

In the league, Deng is a standout small forward who doesn’t get the credit that he deserves playing on a Bulls team that’s rapidly improving.

Greece: Jake Tsakalidis

Tsakalidis may not have had a sexy aspect to his game, but he was a solid reserve center for several seasons in the league.

He represents Greece internationally and actually holds dual citizenship in both Georgia and Greece.

Guyana: Rawle Marshall

Representing Guyana, Marshall was undrafted out of Oakland in 2005, but he managed to find his way into the league.

After a brief stint with the Mavericks, he went to the D-League before returning to the Pacers.

Haiti: Olden Polynice

Polynice was an enforcer in the middle, and he really wasn’t afraid to challenge anyone that went after a teammate.

The big man played for a total of five NBA teams during his career but also spent some time in the American Basketball Association, Continental Basketball Association and even the United States Basketball League.

Hungary: Kornel David

The sole representative from Hungary in the NBA, David played for four teams during the time he spent in the league.

He started 11 games in his career, and after his tenure in the league ended, David pursued international competition.

Iceland: Petur Gudmundsson

Gudmundsson’s impressive size didn’t make for an extended playing career, and that illustrates how tough it is to remain in the NBA.

Despite standing 7’2”, he played parts of four seasons in the league before testing the waters elsewhere.

Iran: Hamed Haddadi

Haddadi was a somewhat surprising addition to the Grizzlies roster when the team signed him, as he’s another player with more size than skill.

He’s flashed brief moments of being a serviceable big man off of the bench, but those have really been few and far between.

Ireland: Marty Conlon

Conlon represented Ireland internationally, but he was actually born in The Bronx (New York).

It’s fairly impressive that he was able to establish a lengthy career given the fact that he went undrafted.

Israel: Omri Casspi

Casspi has been a valuable commodity since landing stateside in the league, and the Cavs just traded for him and intend to make him a big piece of the rebuilding effort.

He’s shown some stretches of being a very solid starting forward, but he’s going to have to be more consistent if he wants to take his game to the next level.

Italy: Danilo Gallinari

There are some that are going to advocate for Andrea Bargnani here, but he just doesn’t have the ceiling that Gallo does.

Gallinari has shown the ability to be a primary offensive option, while that experiment really imploded for the Raptors last season when the team cast Bargnani in the same role.

Jamaica: Roy Hibbert

Hibbert represents Jamaica internationally, and he’s got the potential to be one of the most dominant centers in the league for years to come.

As long as he can learn to stay out of foul trouble, Hibbert’s natural development should make him a huge piece of Indiana’s future.

Japan: J.R. Sakuragi

Formerly with the last name of Henderson, Sakuragi is a naturalized citizen of Japan.

He was drafted in the second round of the 1998 draft and spent one season with the Grizzlies after coming out of UCLA.

Latvia: Andris Biedrins

Biedrins has really regressed of late, and the Warriors are hoping that they can right the ship with their big man.

He’s got a lucrative contract and a lot of ability around the rim, so the pride of Latvia will have a lot to prove as he moves forward in his NBA career.

Libya: Raed Elhamali

Elhamali was born Randy Holcomb, but he changed his name and now represents Libya internationally after becoming a naturalized citizen.

He was a second-round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 2002.

Lebanon: Jackson Vroman

Born in the United States, Vroman was naturalized to Lebanese citizenship in an effort to play for the national basketball team from Lebanon.

He was the 31st overall selection by the Chicago Bulls in the 2004 draft, but after playing for the Suns and Hornets for two seasons, he defected to the waters of international competition.

Lithuania: Arvydas Sabonis

Sabonis is often looked at in a lesser light because the prime of his career was spent outside the NBA, but that’s foolish and shortsighted of those who subscribe to that theory.

This man had unbelievable talent and a great love for the game of basketball, and that’s something that truly manifested itself every time he took the court.

Mali: Soumalia Samake

Another seven-footer that couldn’t find a place in the NBA, Samake was a second-round pick by New Jersey in the 2000 draft.

Most notably, Samake was suspended in 2002 for testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

Mexico: Eduardo Najera

A lot of people like to bag on Najera’s game, but there’s a reason that he’s been able to find work in the NBA for so long.

He’s just the second player in league history who was born in Mexico, and he’s proven to be a reliable reserve off the bench throughout his career.

Montenegro: Nikola Vucevic

Vucevic is a rookie who quickly climbed up draft boards coming out of USC prior to June’s selection process, and I can’t wait to see him suit up for the Sixers.

He’s got legitimate seven-foot size and a game that extends from right next to the basket to all the way out to the three-point line.

Netherlands: Rik Smits

Smits was a personal favorite to watch, and he really should get more credit for what he was able to do for the Pacers when he played alongside Reggie Miller.

At 7’4”, there wasn’t a lot that the opposition could do to stop the former second overall draft choice.

New Zealand: Sean Marks

Marks has bounced around in his career since being selected in the second round by the Knicks.

He’s played for Toronto, Miami, San Antonio, Phoenix, New Orleans and Portland, and it’s possible that we’ll see him in another new destination when a team runs through a rash of injuries in its frontcourt.

Nigeria: Michael Olowokandi

As a former first overall draft choice, Olowokandi was largely considered a bust for a Clippers franchise that needed him to be great.

Despite the disappointment, Olowakandi still managed to amass considerable playing time in the league.

Norway: Torgeir Bryn

Unsurprisingly, Bryn is the only player from Norway to have ever played in the league to this point in time.

He spent one season with the Los Angeles Clippers before heading to Europe and playing with a variety of clubs.

Panama: Gary Forbes

Forbes made a name for himself last season after establishing himself as a role player for the Denver Nuggets despite going undrafted out of UMass.

After several seasons of international basketball, the former A-10 Player of the Year will surely have a place in the NBA as long as he continues to improve.

Poland: Marcin Gortat

Gortat’s nickname is “The Polish Hammer,” and anyone that gets a moniker with his country in the title is really wearing the flag on his back.

Luckily for Gortat, he was traded to a Phoenix team that quickly made him its starting center, and he has flourished in an uptempo system that allows casual fans to see his strong potential.

Puerto Rico: J.J. Barea

Barea was undrafted when he came out of Northeastern, but this is one little guy that just wouldn’t give up his hoop dreams.

Now, he’s a defending NBA champion and is dating a former Miss Universe contestant, and to top it all off, the two are expecting a baby together.

Romania: Gheorghe Muresan

Muresan was a giant on the court at 7’7”, and he really knew how to use his size to an advantage during his playing days.

He is one of the tallest players in league history (Manute Bol); however, Muresan’s height is a result of a pituitary disorder.

Russia: Andrei Kirilenko

AK-47 seemed to be a lot more locked and loaded earlier in his career, but there have been some recent indications that he’s beginning to get his groove back on the court.

Kirilenko is a free agent, and with the Jazz not showing a strong desire to retain him as the team rebuilds, it will really be interesting to see where the versatile forward lands after spending his entire NBA career in Utah to this point.

Senegal: DeSagana Diop

Diop is a better big man than most are ready to give him credit for, but injuries have slowed him down somewhat in recent seasons.

Diop was an impressive basketball prodigy from an early age, and even attended famed Oak Hill Academy for high school.

Serbia: Peja Stojakovic

Stojakovic’s back woes have taken some of the sizzle out of his attack as he gets older, but he is a dynamic sniper from the outside.

Early in his career, Stojakovic launched bombs with regularity from deep, and he was one guy that no defense could ever afford to leave open.

Slovakia: Richard Petruska

Petruska was taken by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 1993 draft, but his NBA career wasn’t very long-lasting.

He played in just 22 games for the team, and he really failed to make an impression on his team or any other.

Slovenia: Beno Udrih

Udrih has come on strong in recent seasons and has proven that he has the skills to be a starting point guard in this league.

Born in SFR Yugoslavia, Udrih represents Slovenia in international play, and there’s no doubt that he should continue to improve if he can see consistent playing time.

South Korea: Ha Seung-Jin

Playing in both the NBA and its D-League, Seung-Jin was drafted in the second round of the 2004 draft by Portland.

The Trail Blazers were the only team that he ever played with at the professional level, but he has continued his playing career in South Korea since that time.

Spain: Pau Gasol

There’s a lot of talent from Spain, but Gasol came to the NBA with a seamless transition and began his dominance from day one with the Grizzlies.

Some people don’t recognize just how talented Gasol is, as it’s just not common to have a seven-footer with the natural grace and flair for the game that Gasol has along the low block.

Sudan: Manute Bol

Bol’s first name of “Manute” means “special blessing,” and that’s exactly what he was on the NBA court.

After being selected with the first pick of the second round in the 1983 draft, Bol really made his presence felt around the rim, where he was a menace on the defensive end.

Sweden: Jonas Jerebko

We haven’t seen Jerebko’s full potential on the court yet, but he’s thought to be a big piece of Detroit’s effort to turn it around in a hurry for the franchise.

He played in both Sweden and Italy professionally before coming to the NBA, and he made the 2010 All-Rookie second team.

Switzerland: Thabo Sefolosha

Sefolosha has really crafted a role for himself in the NBA as a defensive stopper, and it’s helped him secure a prominent role on the roster.

He doesn’t have a great offensive game, but he can contribute enough to validate his presence on that end of the floor as well.

Tanzania: Hasheem Thabeet

Thabeet has been a monumental bust since being selected second overall, but he’s still young enough where there’s time left for him to reverse course on his career.

He does have the height to bang around down low, so if he can develop some sort of skill set in the low post, it would really be to his benefit.

Trinidad and Tobago: Ken Charles

Charles was drafted by the Buffalo Braves when the draft still had a third round.

He played for five seasons after being selected out of Fordham, finishing his career with the Atlanta Hawks.

Turkey: Mehmet Okur

Okur played professionally for several seasons before declaring for the NBA draft and being selected by Detroit.

After spending 2002-04 with the Pistons, he's spent the rest of his tenure with the Jazz, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him retire from the league after his current contract with Utah expires.

Ukraine: Vitaly Potapenko

Potapenko was a first-round draft choice by Cleveland, but he bounced around the league and finished his time in the NBA after playing with four different clubs.

He was a part of the trade that brought Vin Baker to the Celtics, and like Okur, Potapenko spent the early part of his pro career overseas.

United States: Michael Jordan

As if there were any other candidate for this spot, Jordan blows the competition out of the water to represent the United States on this list.

The greatest player to ever grace the NBA's hardwood, there's really not a single player that can even be considered competition to knock him out of this spot.

United States Virgin Islands: Tim Duncan

Duncan has spent his entire career in San Antonio with the Spurs since being selected first overall in 1997, and it's safe to say that the team has been satisfied with its return on investment.

Actually a swimmer for much of his childhood, Duncan didn't start playing basketball until late in his childhood.

I think he made the right choice.

Venezuela: Carl Herrera

Herrera was born in Trinidad and Tobago, but he represented Venezuela in international play.

After being a second-round selection by the Houston Rockets in 1990, Herrera went on to play in the NBA from 1991-99 before continuing his play overseas in Venezuela.