Record 125 international players on opening night rosters in the NBA

NEW YORK (USA) - The game is getting more global, which was emphasized once again with 125 international players listed on opening night rosters in the NBA.

The list is highlighted by many stars who have recently starred for their national teams whether it is at the FIBA Basketball World Cup or Continental Cups, including several World Cup champions and the World Cup MVP.

From League MVPs, All-NBA, All-Star selections and top draft picks, international basketball players have been making their mark in the world's top league for many years. That there is a record number of international players rostered on opening night should come as no surprise.

Atlanta's Bogdan Bogdanovic, who played in the World Cup Final, is one of seven Serbian players in the NBA

The previous record for international players (121) and the current record for countries and territories represented (42) were set at the start of the 2021-22 and 2017-18 seasons, respectively.

Recently crowned FIBA Basketball World Cup winners Germany have four players in the NBA, led by TISSOT MVP Dennis Schroder of the Toronto Raptors.

The Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz, play for the Orlando Magic, and Daniel Theis for the Indiana Pacers. Germany currently has six NBA players overall.

Serbia, who finished runners-up, had NBA talent on their roster in All-Star Five selection Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks), Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat) and Filip Petrusev (Philadelphia 76ers). As a country, Serbia has seven players rostered on opening night.

Canada finished on the podium for the first time ever at the recent World Cup and there are a record number of players from Canada (26) on opening night rosters in the NBA.  For the 10th consecutive season, in fact, Canada is the most-represented country outside of the USA. Among those players are several who played on that historic World Cup squad. They are All-Star Five selection Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort (both Oklahoma City Thunder) Dillon Brooks (Houston Rickets), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks),  RJ Barrett (New York Knciks), Kelly Olynyk (Utah Jazz) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves).

A record 55 NBA players were featured on national team rosters for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Several players in Canada's World Cup team that reached the podium are on NBA rosters

International players have claimed the last five NBA MVP awards, with Serbia's Nikola Jokic taking the honor in 2021 and 2022. Last season, Cameroonian Joel Embiid edged Jokic for the MVP award. Jokic still went into the off-season hearing plenty of praise after leading the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA title. He was named NBA Finals MVP.

Slovenia's Luka Doncic, who plays for Dallas, was an All-Star Five selection at the World Cup

Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the NBA's MVP in 2019 and 2020. He won the title in 2021 when he was MVP of the Finals.

France also have 14 players in the NBA, a record number for them. France's Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs is the 14th international player to be selected first overall in the NBA Draft. He is the highest-drafted French player ever.

Australia have nine players in the NBA. Nigeria and Turkey each have five players.  

All 30 NBA teams feature at least one international player.

FIBA