By John Rammas / info@eurohoops.net
orn in Italy, raised in Canada, the late Hank Biasatti is referred to in the bible of basketball as the first NBAer from outside the USA. From 1946 until today, it’s been getting harder and harder to keep count.
The number of players originating outside the US is constantly increasing (21 in 1990-91, 45 in 2000-01, and 84 in 2010-11) and one record succeeds the other. What is characteristic in this case, is the number of 113 players from outside the US at the beginning of last season, the third consecutive time – and third time in total – that the number was over 100.
Europe not only has a prominent place on this list, it has the #1 spot.
NBA teams increasingly trust the talent of players from the “Old Continent” and, from an unreachable dream, entry into the magical world becomes a reality for many Europeans, and for more and more every year.
Tony Parker’s France (2001-today) has had the lion’s share for years, while, until recently – or, in other words, before Canada – it held the #1 spot among the other countries.
Even so, Europe is still the second biggest power in the NBA.
