Neemias Queta puts Portugal on the map once again among 125 international NBA players

NEW YORK — Just hours before tipping off its 81st season this Tuesday with a marquee triple-header — Pistons-Celtics, Knicks-76ers, and Spurs-Thunder — and with rosters finalized, the NBA announced that opening-night squads for the 2026-27 campaign feature 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries across six continents. For the sixth consecutive year, Portugal's Neemias Queta is among them.

Underlining the global growth of basketball and the league's expanding international footprint, all 30 franchises feature at least one foreign player on their roster, with the Mavericks, Heat, and Wizards leading the way with seven international players each.

Notably, for the first time in 13 seasons, Canada surrendered its top spot among the most-represented foreign nations to France, which leads the pack with 17 players. The French contingent — which previously held the lead years ago after dethroning Spain — is spearheaded by young superstar Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), a two-time All-Star and the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year.

Canada sits just behind in second place with 16 players, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), the 2024-25 NBA champion and two-time reigning league MVP. Rounding out the top nations are Australia (nine), Germany (seven), Nigeria (a record six), and Serbia (six).

Nigeria, whose basketball heritage was paved by Hakeem Olajuwon — the NBA's first international MVP in 1993-94 — also boasts direct or indirect ties to 30 players across the league through family lineage.

This marks the sixth consecutive season with at least 120 international players and the 13th straight year with 100 or more. The all-time record of 135 international players was set at the start of the 2025-26 season, while the mark of 43 countries and territories represented was first established in 2017-18.

Europe maintains a commanding presence with 70 players, matching last season's mark — only the second time in NBA history that threshold has been reached. Alongside Wembanyama, Europe's standout stars include Giannis Antetokounmpo (Heat; Greece, with Nigerian ties), 2021 champion and two-time MVP; Nikola Jokic (Nuggets; Serbia), 2023 champion and three-time MVP; and Luka Doncic (Lakers; Slovenia), a six-time All-Star and All-NBA selection.

Meanwhile, African connections have also reached an all-time peak, with more than 60 players — including both international and U.S.-born athletes — either born in Africa or having at least one parent from the continent.

Beyond Antetokounmpo, this group features marquee names such as Bam Adebayo (Heat; Nigerian ties, three-time All-Star), OG Anunoby (Knicks; UK, Nigerian ties, two-time NBA champion), AJ Dybantsa (Wizards; Republic of the Congo ties, 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick), Joel Embiid (76ers; Cameroon, 2022-23 MVP and seven-time All-Star), and Pascal Siakam (Pacers; Cameroon, 2019 champion and four-time All-Star).

In addition to Queta, who enters his fourth season with the Celtics, Portugal is also represented in the NBA by former international Mery Andrade, who serves as an assistant coach for the Raptors, also entering her fourth consecutive season in Toronto.