109 international players featured in NBA’s 75th season tipoff
A diamond-themed logo commemorating the NBA’s 75th anniversary is shown on the court/ Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 109 international players comprise the NBA’s opening-night rosters for its 75th Anniversary Season, the league announced on Wednesday.
For the eighth straight year, Canada is the most represented country outside of the United States with a record of 18 players.
Australia, France and Germany have seven players each while Nigeria, Serbia, Spain and Turkey have five each.
The Toronto Raptors tied the mark with 10 international players from a record nine countries on opening-night rosters.
In addition to the 109 international players, there are a record 12 international players from seven countries on “two-way” contracts.
There are also a number of American players with ties to other countries. The list includes reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz and 2021 second overall pick Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets who both have ties to the Philippines.
The number of international players in the NBA has grown from five during the league’s inaugural season in 1946-47 to a record 113 at the start of the 2016-17 season.
The Golden State Warriors and defending champions Milwaukee Bucks scored big wins on opening night.
The Warriors, led by Steph Curry’s triple-double, took down the Los Angeles Lakers, 121-114, at Staples Center in Hollywood while the Bucks clobbered the Brooklyn Nets, 127-104, at home.
