MUNICH (Germany) - With the NBA Regular Season coming to an end, we take time to reflect on the European stars who razzled and dazzled across the Atlantic. Many of them were among best of the best in the NBA, leading their teams to the postseason and putting up impressive averages along the way.
It was no surprise to see the continued rise in level of European players in the NBA, and a number of those stars will be expected to suit up at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 and represent their national teams this summer.
Here are the European leaders amongst the top five major statistical categories during the 2024-25 NBA campaign.
Points: 30.4 PPG - Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
The Greek Freak did it once again. Not only did he lead the European players with 30.4 points on average, but he trailed only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the entire NBA. The 30-year old paired his scoring efforts with 11.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, leading his Milwaukee Bucks to 48-34 record and comfortable 5th place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Two other major European stars came close to Giannis - Nikola Jokic averaged 29.6 points per game and Luka Doncic put up 27.9 on average.
| Player | Team | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Giannis Antetokounmpo (GRE) | Milwaukee Bucks | 30.4 |
2. | Nikola Jokic (SRB) | Denver Nuggets | 29.6 |
3. | Luka Doncic (SLO) | Los Angeles Lakers | 27.9 |
4. | Victor Wembanyama (FRA) | San Antonio Spurs | 24.3 |
5. | Franz Wagner (GER) | Orlando Magic | 24.2 |
Rebounds: 13.9 RPG - Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
European big men lately are dominating in the NBA, and that reflects in the rebounding with three of the Top 5 NBA rebounders coming from the old continent. Domantas Sabonis topped the charts with 13.9 rebounds on average, but also put up 19.1 points and 6.0 assists per game, pushing Sacramento Kings to the play-in spot with 40-42 record.
Nikola Jokic and Ivica Zubac also dominated on the glass with 12.7 rebounds per game for the Serbian sensation and 12.6 for the Croat.
| Player | Team | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Domantas Sabonis (LTU) | Sacramento Kings | 13.9 |
2. | Nikola Jokic (SRB) | Denver Nuggets | 12.7 |
3. | Ivica Zubac (CRO) | Los Angeles Clippers | 12.6 |
4. | Giannis Antetokounmpo (GRE) | Milwaukee Bucks | 11.9 |
5. | Victor Wembanyama (FRA) | San Antonio Spurs | 11.0 |
Assists: 10.2 APG - Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
Jokic recorded another season to remember as the Serbian big man averaged a triple-double with 30.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game - topping the European players in the passing department.
Trae Young was the only one better across the NBA in assists, but the 'Joker' did the all-around thing, pulling his Denver Nuggets to 50-32 and a 4th place in the West.
| Player | Team | APG |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Nikola Jokic (SRB) | Denver Nuggets | 10.2 |
2. | Luka Doncic (SLO) | Los Angeles Lakers | 7.7 |
3. | Giannis Antetokounmpo (GRE) | Milwaukee Bucks | 6.5 |
4. | Domantas Sabonis (LTU) | Sacramento Kings | 6.0 |
5. | Dennis Schroder (GER) | Detroit Pistons | 5.4 |
Steals 1.8 SPG - Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
You can just copy and paste everything mentioned above. Just add 1.8 steals per game to the triple-double average and you have a MVP-worthy campaign from the 'Joker'. Coming in second in all of the NBA in steals, trailing only Dyson Daniels, Jokic had the same average as Luka Doncic, but had greater volume in total steals recorded and games played.
| Player | Team | SPG |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Nikola Jokic (SRB) | Denver Nuggets | 1.8 |
2. | Luka Doncic (SLO) | Los Angeles Lakers | 1.8 |
3. | Toumani Camara (BEL) | Portland Trail Blazers | 1.5 |
4. | OG Anunoby (GBR) | New York Knicks | 1.5 |
5. | Bilal Coulibaly (FRA) | Washington Wizards | 1.3 |
Blocks: 3.8 BPG - Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Even though Wemby's season was cut short, the Frenchman was impressive to say the least. By far the best shot-blocker in the league lacked with the games played to qualify for the defensive awards, but still no one could top his 3.8 blocks on average.
However, in the blocking department no one came close with Alex Sarr and Kristaps Porzingis both averaging 1.5 blocks per game, respectively.
| Player | Team | BPG |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Victor Wembanyama (FRA) | San Antonio Spurs | 3.8 |
2. | Alex Sarr (FRA) | Washington Wizards | 1.5 |
3. | Kristaps Porzingis (LAT) | Boston Celtics | 1.5 |
4. | Rudy Gobert (GRA) | Minnesota Timberwolves | 1.4 |
5. | Goga Bitadze (GEO) | Orlando Magic | 1.4 |
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