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The new 81st NBA season tips off tonight featuring a record 125 international players, according to the Associated Press. France and Canada lead all nations outside the United States with the most players in the world's premier basketball league. A total of 17 French players, including San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, are on opening-night rosters across the 30 franchises contending for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. France takes over the top spot from Canada, which had been the most represented foreign nation in recent years. At the start of the 2026/27 season, however, Canada's contingent stands at 16. Even so, Canada claimed the last two Most Valuable Player awards, both captured by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
International players in the NBA represent 43 different countries, with 56 percent—or 70 players—hailing from Europe. World champions Germany have seven players in the NBA, while Serbia features six.
Outside of Europe and North America, Australia and Nigeria boast the strongest representation in the league. Australia ranks third overall with nine players, while Nigeria has six.
All 30 NBA teams have at least one non-American player on their roster, with Dallas, Miami, and Washington leading the league with seven each.
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