List of foreign NBA players
In the National Basketball Association, players born outside of the United States are often known as international players. Players who were born in U.S. overseas territories, such as Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, are considered international players even if they are U.S. citizens. In some borderline cases, the NBA takes into consideration whether a player desires to be identified as international.
Hank Biasatti, who was born in Italy and raised in Canada, was the first international player in the league in 1946. The number of international players in the league rose after the formation of the Dream Team when NBA players were allowed into Olympic play starting in 1992. Global interest in basketball subsequently soared. On opening day of the 1991–92 season, NBA rosters included 23 international players from 18 countries. At the start of the, there was a record-high 113 international players from 41 countries and territories. In the start of the, there were 108 international players from a record-high 42 countries and territories, including five players signed up through the newly implemented two-way contract.
The number of players on opening-night rosters broke an all-time league record first set in and tied in, and the number of countries represented surpassed the record set in 2010–11. In addition, the San Antonio Spurs set an all-time record for international players on an opening-night squad, with 10 during the 2013-14 season.
This list includes all international players who have played in the NBA and also includes all players who were born in the United States but have represented other countries in international basketball competition. Players listed under the United States were born outside of the country but have represented them in international basketball tournament. Players who were born outside the United States to U.S. parents and players who became naturalized U.S. citizens are also included in that section.
As of the, among foreign players, excluding those born in the United States: Canada has produced the most players, with 49. From European countries, Serbia and France have produced 31 and 33 players, respectively. Among trans-continental countries, Russia and Turkey have produced 13 & 11 players respectively. From South American countries, Brazil has produced 16 players. From African countries, Senegal has produced 10 players and Nigeria has produced 20 players. Australia has produced 24 players, and China has produced six players. At least 78 players have come from the former Yugoslavia.
Africa
| Territory | No. of Players | Notes |
| 21 | Includes 12 foreign-born Nigerians | |
| 12 | Includers 1 U.S.-born Senegalese | |
| 4 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Libyan | |
| 2 | ||
| 2 | Includes 1 foreign-born South Sudanese | |
| 1 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 1 |
Americas
| Territory | No. of Players | Notes |
| 49 | Includes 9 foreign-born Canadians | |
| 17 | Includes 1 U.S.-born Brazilian | |
| 12 | ||
| 9 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Dominicans | |
| 8 | Includes 4 U.S.-born Jamaicans | |
| 6 | Includes 4 foreign-born Venezuelans | |
| 5 | Includes 1 U.S.-born Mexican | |
| 5 | ||
| 4 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Panamanians | |
| 4 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Virgin Islander | |
| 3 | Includes 3 U.S.-born Belizeans | |
| 3 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | Includes 1 U.S.-born Trinidadian | |
| 1 | Includes 1 U.S.-born Antiguan | |
| 1 | ||
| 1 |
Asia & the Pacific
| Territory | No. of Players | Notes |
| 25 | Includes 6 foreign-born Australians | |
| 6 | ||
| 5 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Japanese | |
| 4 | Includes 3 U.S.-born Lebanese | |
| 3 | ||
| 3 | Includes 3 U.S.-born Filipinos | |
| 2 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Qataris | |
| 1 | ||
| 1 |
Europe
| Territory | No. of Players | Notes |
| 33 | Includes 5 foreign-born French | |
| 31 | Includes 10 foreign-born Serbians | |
| 22 | Includes 8 foreign-born Croatians | |
| 18 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Germans | |
| 17 | Includes 3 foreign-born Spaniards | |
| 13 | Includes 4 foreign-born Greek | |
| 13 | Includes 4 foreign-born Russians | |
| 12 | Includes 3 foreign-born Britons | |
| 12 | Includes 1 U.S.-born Lithuanian | |
| 12 | Includes 1 foreign-born Slovenian | |
| 12 | Includes 4 foreign-born Turks | |
| 11 | Includes 4 U.S.-born Italians | |
| 10 | Includes 5 U.S.-born Georgians | |
| 9 | Includes 2 foreign-born Ukrainians | |
| 8 | Includes 4 foreign-born Montenegrins | |
| 7 | ||
| 6 | Includes 2 foreign-born Bosnians | |
| 5 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 | Includes 3 U.S.-born Macedonians | |
| 4 | Includes 1 U.S.-born Polish | |
| 3 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Bulgarians | |
| 3 | Includes 1 foreign-born Finn | |
| 3 | Includes 2 U.S.-born Irishmen | |
| 3 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 1 | Includes 1 U.S.-born Belarusian | |
| 1 | Includes 1 foreign-born Belgian | |
| 1 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 1 | ||
| 1 |