The 25 Best Foreign-Born Players in NBA History

It seems hard to believe, but today Dirk Nowitzki turns 36 years old. The big German has spent his entire NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks after being acquired on draft night in 1998 along with Pat Garrity,who was immediately flipped to Phoenix for Steve Nash. It’s undoubtedly been a Hall of Fame career for Nowitzki, whose versatile game and incredible on-court success have played a huge part in the rise in popularity of foreign players in the NBA.

Whether they were born abroad and came to the United States as young men, or if they spent the majority of their professional careers overseas before arriving in the NBA, international players have become commonplace across the league. On opening night this past season, the NBA boasted 92 international players from 39 countries, and the champion San Antonio Spurs set a record by having 10 foreign-born players on their opening night roster.

Like Nowitzki, many of these non-domestic players have accomplished tremendous things during their NBA careers. From pioneers like Drazen Petrovic and Hakeem Olajuwon to modern stars like Nowitzkiand Tony Parker, these are the 25 Best Foreign-Born Players in NBA History.

Note that if you were born in a United States territory, you don’t qualify. Therefore, Tim Duncan is not eligible and neither is Dominique Wilkins (he was an army brat.)

25. Žydrūnas Ilgauskas

Country of origin: Lithuania
Team(s): Cavaliers, Heat
Career years: 1997–2011
Career stats: 843 G, 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1998 NBA All-Rookie First Team

The beloved Big Z, was a fixture in Cleveland for 13 seasons, many of them played without LeBron James. Heading to the United States after being drafted in the first round in 1996, Ilgauskas actually missed his first NBA season due to several different foot and ankle injuries. Finally making his debut in 1997-98, he immediately began playing a key role in the Cavaliers' offense, starting 81 of 82 games and averaging nearly 14 points and nine rebounds per contest.

He enjoyed his most complete season in 2004-05 playing alongside LeBron, as Ilgauskas averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game and was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

24. Hedo Turkoglu

Country of origin: Turkey
Team(s): Kings, Spurs, Magic, Raptors, Suns, Clippers
Career years: 2000–present
Career stats: 935 G, 11.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Accolades: 1x NBA Most Improved Player, 2001 NBA All-Rookie Second Team

If it feels like Hedo Turkoglu has been around forever, that's because he has. The Turkish forward has been in the NBA for 13 seasons, playing for five different teams and amassing a strong career total of 93 playoff games. He became the first Turkish-born player ever to reach the NBA when the Kings made him the 16th overall selection in the 2000 Draft, banking that the 21-year-old would be able to use his experience playing in Europe to help boost the Kings' offense. After playing a small role in Sacramento and spending a forgettable year in San Antonio, Turkoglu found a home in Orlando beginning in 2004-05.

Over the next five seasons with them he averaged 15.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, and along with Dwight Howard they led the Magic back to respectability and ultimately the NBA Finals in 2009.

23. Luol Deng

Country of origin: Sudan
Team(s): Bulls, Cavaliers
Career years: 2004-Present
Career stats: 677 G, 16.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1x NBA All-Defensive Second Team, 2005 NBA All-Rookie First Team

The fact that Luol Deng even made it to the NBA is remarkable, never mind the fact that he has actually had an outstanding career thus far. Living in war-ravaged Sudan, when Luol was young the family fled to Egypt and met Manute Bol, who had retired from the NBA and was helping fellow Sudanese refugees around the world. He mentored Luol and his brother, and soon the brothers began to enjoy success of their own on the basketball court. After the family relocated to London, American prep schools came calling for Luol, who made the move Stateside and has been here ever since.

He has gone on to have a very strong NBA career, making two All-Star teams and likely earning himself a big payday this summer.

22. Al Horford

Country of origin: Dominican Republic
Team(s): Hawks
Career years: 2007–present
Career stats: 420 G, 14.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Third Team, 2008 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Al Horford has quietly become a force among NBA big men in recent years, and was one of just two players (along with Pau Gasol) to average at least 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 block per game from 2011 through 2013. Horford was fortunate growing up in the Dominican Republic that he had his father Tito, a former NBA player, to rely upon for guidance in the baseball-crazed nation. Al's skills and size on the block immediately made him an effective presence upon arriving in the United States for high school in 2000, and Horford immediately became one of the most sought-after players in the country.

He went on to star for two national title winners at Florida and become the No. 3 overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft.

21. Andrei Kirilenko

Country of origin: Russia
Team(s): Jazz, Timberwolves, Nets
Career years: 2001–2011; 2012–present
Career stats: 790 G, 11.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.8 BPG
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1x NBA All-Defensive First Team, 2x NBA All-Defensive Second Team, 2002 NBA All-Rookie First Team

The first Russian ever selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, Andrei Kirilenko has quietly had an outstanding career thanks to his versatility on offense and incredible prowess on defense. Drafted by the Utah Jazz at age 18, Kirilenko incubated in Europe for another two years before finally joining his new team in time for the 2001-02 season and playing in all 82 games. He had his best season in 2003-04, where he averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game (both career bests), making the Western Conference All-Star team as a reserve.

In 2006, he became one of just two players in NBA history (along with Hakeem Olajuwon) to post a "5x6;" i.e., tallying at least six points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks in one game.

20. Joakim Noah

Country of origin: France*
*Born in New York, but moved to France at age three
Team(s): Bulls
Career years: 2007–present
Career stats: 476 G, 9.9 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.5 BPG
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA First Team, 1x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 2x NBA All-Defensive First Team, 1x NBA All-Defensive Second Team

The loud-mouthed Joakim Noah has quickly become one of the most polarizing players in the NBA, demonstratively expressing his emotions on the court and somehow always finding himself in the middle of scrums with other players. Although he was born in New York, Noah lived in France from age 3 to 13 and continues to identify himself as French, choosing to play for their national team. After helping lead Florida to two national titles in college, Noah came to the NBA and quickly established himself as a reliable post presence, averaging a double-double his second season in the league.

He blossomed into a star this past season for the Bulls, helping them overcome the injury to Derrick Rose and trade of Luol Deng by making the All-Star team, All-NBA First Team, and winning the Defensive Player of the Year award.

19. Arvydas Sabonis

Country of origin: Lithuania
Team(s): Blazers
Career years: 1995–2001; 2002–2003
Career stats: 470 G, 12.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 1996 NBA All-Rookie First Team

The only disappointing element of Arvydas Sabonis' career is that NBA fans were deprived of seeing the Lithuanian big man at his absolute apex; Sabonis didn't make his way to the United States until 1995, when he was already 31 years old. As a "rookie," the highly-skilled 7'3" center hit the ground running and put up strong numbers for Portland averaging 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He posted excellent stats for the next two seasons as well, and in 1997-98 was one of just three players in the league (along with Karl Malone and Antoine Walker) to average 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game.

One of the most decorated European players in history, Sabonis was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

18. Rolando Blackman

Country of origin: Panama
Team(s): Mavericks, Knicks
Career years: 1981–1994
Career stats: 980 G, 18.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Accolades: 4x All-Star

Rolando Blackman enjoyed an excellent NBA career, and was the Dallas Mavericks' all-time leading scorer until Dirk Nowitzki finally broke the mark in 2008. Born in Panama raised in Brooklyn, Blackman had a tremendous career at Kansas State before becoming the No. 9 overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft. After a successful stint in Dallas, Blackman joined the Knicks and was quickly at the center of a huge controversy when Pat Riley elected to sit the shooting guard in favor of an historically bad John Starks during Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals; Starks shot 2-for-18 from the field, while Blackman collected a DNP and retired after the game.

17. Kiki Vandeweghe

Country of origin: Germany
Team(s): Nuggets, Blazers, Knicks, Clippers
Career years: 1980-1993
Career stats: 810 G, 19.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Accolades: 2x All-Star

Born in Germany to a former NBA player and Miss America winner, Kiki Vandeweghe possessed some of the better genes in league history. A phenomenal scorer, Vandeweghe starred in high school in Los Angeles before also featuring at UCLA and bringing his team to the cusp of a national championship. Despite being selected at No. 11 overall by Dallas in the 1980 NBA Draft, he refused to play for the Mavericks and was eventually shipped to Denver where he averaged 23.3 points per game during his four seasons as a Nugget.

In 1986-87, he set an NBA record for three-point percentage in a season as he shot .481 from beyond the arc, although this record would be broken the very next season by Craig Hodges and Mark Price.

16. Rik Smits

Country of origin: Netherlands
Team(s): Pacers
Career years: 1988–2000
Career stats: 867 G, 14.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1988 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Possessing one of the great nicknames in 1990s basketball ("The Dunking Dutchman"), 7'4" Rik Smits came to the United States to play his college ball at tiny Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. After leading the Red Foxes to the only two NCAA Tournament berths in school history, he was taken No. 2 overall by the Pacers and immediately pressed into a starting role when normal center Steve Stipanovich suffered a career-ending injury.

The steady Smits was a rock for the rest of his career, averaging double-digit points every season he played and provided solid defens as well. He'll also be remembered for his great playoff performances, where moments like his game-winning shot in Game 4 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals made him a Pacers legend.

15. Vlade Divac

Country of origin: Yugoslavia
Team(s): Lakers, Hornets, Kings
Career years: 1989–2005
Career stats: 1134 G, 11.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 1990 NBA All-Rookie First Team

A true pioneer among European players, Vlade Divac set a number of firsts in the NBA that will forever make him one of the game's legends. Not only was he the first foreign-born, foreign-trained player to reach the 1,000 game plateau in the NBA, but he also is one of just six members of the 13,000 point, 9,000 rebound, 3,000 assist, 1,500 block club. He was the defensive anchor for several outstanding Kings teams in the early 2000s, initially entering the league in 1989 following a very successful professional career in Yugoslavia that began in 1983.

He also is considered the godfather of flopping, a dubious honor but nevertheless a major part of Divac's legacy.

14. Peja Stojakovic

Country of origin: Serbia
Team(s): Kings, Pacers, Hornets, Raptors, Mavericks
Career years: 1998–2011
Career stats: 804 G, 17.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Accolades: 1x NBA Champion, 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Second Team

One of the best shooters in recent NBA history, at 6'10" Peja Stojakovic was certainly an oversized swingman. His size certainly did nothing to detract from his ability to shoot from long range, as the Serbian-Greek sniper shot just over 40 percent lifetime from downtown. His career in the NBA did not have such promising beginnings, as after waiting to come to the league until just after his 21st birthday Stojakovic spent two seasons playing sparingly for the Kings.

He finally busted out in 2000-01 with 20.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, beginning a streak of eight seasons in which he would average at least 16 points a night.

13. Kyrie Irving

Country of origin: Australia
Team(s): Cavaliers
Career years: 2011-Present
Career stats: 181 G, 20.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year, 2012 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Kyrie Irving spent the first two years of his life living down under before moving to New Jersey with his parents. A standout high school career made Irving one of the top recruited players in the country, and after just one injury-plagued year at Duke he made the leap to the NBA and immediately became a star with the Cavaliers. Since 1980, Irving is one of just seven players to average 20-plus points, 5.5-plus assists, and 1.0-plus steals over his first three seasons in the league. The others: Isiah Thomas, Tim Hardaway, Grant Hill, Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James. Pretty good company.

12. Detlef Schrempf

Country of origin: Germany
Team(s): Mavericks, Pacers, SuperSonics, Blazers
Career years: 1985–2001
Career stats: 1136 G, 13.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Accolades: 3x All-Star, 2x NBA Sixth Man of the Year, 1x All-NBA Third Team

Unlike many foreign players, Detlef Schrempf actually came to the United States prior to college and even played a year of high school ball. After a successful four year stint at the University of Washington, Schrempf was selected eighth overall by Dallas in 1985 and immediately established himself as a reliable rotation player. The German-born forward never averaged fewer than 15 minutes per game in his career, and in a 10-season stretch from 1989-90 through 1998-99 averaged 34.5 minutes, 16.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per night.

Most recently, he has shown his acting chops in playing himself on several episodes of Parks and Recreation, displaying the kind of versatility that made him a valuable NBA player.

11. Toni Kukoc

Country of origin: Croatia
Team(s): Bulls, 76ers, Hawks, Bucks
Career years: 1993–2006
Career stats: 846 G, 11.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Accolades: 3x NBA Champion, 1x NBA Sixth Man of the Year, 1994 NBA All-Rookie Second Team

At 6'11" and with the skill set of a guard, Toni Kukoc was a perfect example of the kind of versatility European players have brought to the NBA. After establishing himself as a star playing in Yugoslavia and Italy, Kukoc finally reported to the Chicago Bulls in 1993 after they used a second round pick on him in 1990. Beginning his NBA career at age 25 put the Croatian forward a bit behind his fellow rookies in terms of development, but playing alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen certainly helped ease his learning curve.

Over his first seven NBA seasons, Kukoc averaged 14 points per game over 30 minutes. He performed well in both starting and sixth man roles as he helped the Bulls stay relevant in the non-Jordan years and then, upon His Airness' return, three-peat for the second time.

10. Dražen Petrović

Country of origin: Croatia
Team(s): Blazers, Nets
Career years: 1989–1993
Career stats: 290 G, 15.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 1x All-NBA Third Team

The story of Dražen Petrović is one of the NBA's great "what ifs" of this generation. After a stellar career in Europe, Petrovic joined the NBA with Portland in 1989-90 at age 25 and initially struggled to adapt to the NBA game while being forced to sit behind Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter. However, Petrovic showed his immense talent once shipped to New Jersey in a three-way trade, averaging 20.6 points per game in 1990-91 (his first full season with the Nets) and then making the All-NBA Third Team by averaging 22.3 points per game the following season.

Tragically, while back in Europe that offseason following the Nets' playoff elimination, Petrovic was killed in a car accident.

9. Yao Ming

Country of origin: China
Team(s): Rockets
Career years: 2002–2011
Career stats: 486 G, 19.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.9 BPG
Accolades: 8x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 2003 NBA All-Rookie First Team

It was with great fanfare that 7'6" Chinese center Yao Ming arrived in the United States in 2002. After a stellar, dominant career with the Shanghai Sharks from 1997 until 2002, the then-22-year-old finally convinced his team to allow him to play on the highest level and make the jump to the NBA. His talent on the court and immense popularity off it led him to be named an All-Star all but one season of his NBA career, despite the fact that he missed 250 games with injury in the last six years of his career alone.

A great ambassador for the game, Yao will forever be remembered as a huge reason for basketball's explosion in popularity in Asia.

8. Dikembe Mutombo

Country of origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Team(s): Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Rockets
Career years: 1991–2009
Career stats: 1196 G, 9.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 2.8 BPG
Accolades: 8x All-Star, 4x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 1x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team, 3x NBA All-Defnesive First Team, 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team, 2x NBA Rebounding Champion, 3x NBA Blocks Leader, 1992 NBA All-Rookie First Team

The master of the finger wag might have been the best shot blocker of his era (if not all time), and indeed Dikembe Mutombo also deserves credit for his incredible longevity on the court. The native of Congo actually wanted to become a doctor when he arrived at Georgetown on a United States Agency for International Development scholarship, but John Thompson quickly took note of the 7'2" giant and developed him into a defensive juggernaut.

Mutombo was a force right from the start of his NBA career, averaging a career-best 16.6 points per game as a rookie; over the first 10 years of his career, the center posted a double-double each season, averaging 12.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game over that stretch.

Along with Ben Wallace, Mutombo is the only player since the award's inception in 1982-83 to win Defensive Player of the Year honors four times.

7. Manu Ginobili

Country of origin: Argentina
Team(s): Spurs
Career years: 2002–present
Career stats: 795 G, 14.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Third Team, 1x NBA Sixth Man of the Year, 2003 NBA All-Rookie Second Team

While everyone knows about Manu Ginobili's outstanding career in the NBA, he also had a wildly successful run in Europe prior to coming to the United States and joining the Spurs at age 25. After he was drafted by the Spurs in 1999, he returned to Italy and promptly led Kinder Bologna to the 2001 Italian Championship, the 2001 Euroleague title, and the 2001 and 2002 Italian Cup. Manu was outstanding in all those competitions, winning the MVP of the Italian League in both 2000-01 and 2001-02.

He is now generally regarded as the blueprint for NBA teams drafting foreign players and then letting them develop overseas before bringing them to the US, and considering Manu's incredible success it's hard to argue with that tactic.

6. Pau Gasol

Country of origin: Spain
Team(s): Grizzlies, Lakers
Career years: 2001–present
Career stats: 905 G, 18.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG
Accolades: 2x NBA Champion, 4x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team, 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year, 2002 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Pau Gasol can be an easy target for fan derision, as his constant whining and pleading with referees can grate on pretty much anybody. However, there's also no denying his talent. Gasol should have been MVP of the 2010 Finals, averaging 18.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game for the series and grabbing 18 rebounds (nine offensive) in Game 7 alone. He also posted solid numbers for FC Barcelona (yes, they have teams other than for soccer) before finally heading to the NBA in 2001 at age 21, winning the 2001 Spanish League title and capturing the Finals MVP award.

He's gone on to capture numerous accolades in the U.S., and at 33 years old still likely has several quality seasons remaining.

5. Tony Parker

Country of origin: France
Team(s): Spurs
Career years: 2001–present
Career stats: 940 G, 17.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Accolades: 4x NBA Champion, 1x NBA Finals MVP, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Second Team, 1x All-NBA Third Team, 2002 NBA All-Rookie First Team

The Frenchman has already had one of the best-ever careers of a foreign-born player in the NBA, and he's still just 32 years old. Born in Belgium but raised in France, Tony Parker had great basketball genes thanks to his father, an American-born man who played college ball at Loyola University of Chicago before taking his game overseas and settling down with Tony's mom, a Dutch model.

Parker's biggest enticement into basketball and away from soccer was Michael Jordan, whose international fame inspired the young Parker to become the dynamic point guard we see grace the NBA today. After turning down overtures from UCLA and Georgia Tech when he was 18, Parker stayed in France for two more years before finally coming Stateside and starting 77 games as a rookie in 2001-02. He's now got four rings and a Finals MVP, and may not be done quite yet.

4. Steve Nash

Country of origin: South Africa
Team(s): Suns, Mavericks, Lakers
Career years: 1996–present
Career stats: 1217 G, 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Accolades: 2x NBA MVP, 8x All-Star, 3x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team

Not a ton of thought was given to Steve Nash in 1996 when he was selected 15th overall by Phoenix, and even less was given when he was traded to Dallas along with the rights to Dirk Nowitzki in 1998. The diminutive point guard was virtually unknown heading into college, considering he had spent his entire life to that point splitting time between soccer and basketball in British Columbia. He earned some notoriety with Santa Clara University, leading the 15th-seeded Broncos to a stunning upset win over 2nd-seeded Arizona in the 1993 NCAA Tournament.

That by no means made him a household name as soon as March Madness ended. Two NBA MVPs, eight All-Star, and seven All-NBA selections later, however, and everybody knows who Nash is now.

3. Patrick Ewing

Country of origin: Jamaica
Team(s): Knicks, SuperSonics, Magic
Career years: 1985–2002
Career stats: 1183 G, 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.4 BPG
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 11x All-Star, 1x All-NBA First Team, 6x All-NBA Second Team, 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team, 1986 NBA Rookie of the Year, 1986 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Really, the only blemish on Patrick Ewing's outstanding career is the fact that he never won a ring. Obviously this is a pretty glaring problem, but it should nevertheless not prevent us from appreciating the incredible accomplishments achieved by the Knicks' legendary big man during his career. Originally hailing from Kingston, Jamaica and specializing in soccer and cricket as a younger man, Ewing moved to Cambridge, Mass. at age 12 and took up basketball full-time during high school.

A scholarship to Georgetown soon followed, and Ewing would then go on to become one of the 1990s' biggest NBA stars after becoming the No. 1 pick in the 1985 draft.

2. Dirk Nowitzki

Country of origin: Germany
Team(s): Mavericks
Career years: 1998–present
Career stats: 1188 G, 22.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Accolades: NBA Champion, 1x NBA Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 12x All-Star, 4x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team

Few could have predicted the lanky, goofy German kid taken No. 9 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft would go on to be a Hall of Famer, but really given his pedigree it's no surprise that Dirk Nowitzki was destined for NBA success. Both his mother (basketball) and his father (handball) were professional athletes, and although he didn't start playing seriously until he was 15 years old, it was apparent from the beginning that Dirk was going to be quite good.

After being named "German Basketballer of the Year" in 1998 as an 18-year-old, he headed to the NBA where he has gone on to score 26,786 points (currently 10th all-time.)

1. Hakeem Olajuwon

Country of origin: Nigeria
Team(s): Rockets, Raptors
Career years: 1984–2002
Career stats: 1238 G, 21.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.1 BPG
Accolades: Basketball Hall of Fame, 2x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 12x All-Star, 2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 6x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 5x NBA All-Defensive First Team, 4x NBA All-Defensive Second Team, 2x NBA Rebounding Leader, 3x NBA Blocks Leader, 1985 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest players in NBA history, period. The fact that he played only soccer through age 15 makes his transformation into one of the best players ever to pick up a basketball all the more remarkable. Olajuwon actually credits his experience on the pitch with helping him immediately become a force in the post, as he developed much of his signature agility and footwork by playing goalkeeper on the soccer field. Basically unrecruited heading into college, Olajuwon immigrated to the United States, enrolled at the University of Houston, and was allowed to try out in front of the coaches.

After two NCAA title game appearances, he launched an NBA career that saw him finish as the 9th-leading scorer in league history.