By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA will start the 2026–27 Regular Season with 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries on finalized opening-night rosters.
Europe completely dominates this shift. The opening rosters include 70 European players, which stretches to over 80 when counting those with additional ties to the Old Continent. Nevertheless, this remains the biggest group from any single region. There are also three head coaches from Europe.
France leads the global pack with 17 players. Germany with seven and Serbia with six also bring deep groups to the league this year. Canada remains a massive contributor with 16 players, while Australia lands nine on opening night.
Every single franchise fields at least one foreign-born player, with the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and Washington Wizards carrying seven each.
International stars have won the Most Valuable Player award for eight straight years. Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander captured the trophy in both 2025 and 2026, following the paths cleared by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid.
Meanwhile, the Joker is on the verge of making history. If he can secure a top-two spot in MVP balloting for a seventh straight year, he will break the legendary streaks held by Bill Russell and Larry Bird.
The offseason featured major superstar movement, including Giannis taking his talents to Miami and LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers, setting up several homecoming games throughout the regular-season schedule.
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