DeKALB — NBA basketball has become a global phenomenon, sprouting international fan bases since the United States Men’s Basketball Team took the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona by storm.
The amount of talent coming from overseas to the league is noticeable now more than ever. International players dominated the 2019 NBA awards. Milwaukee Bucks’ Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo was the NBA MVP. Denver Nuggets’ French Rudy Gobert was the Defensive Player of the Year. Dallas Mavericks’ Slovanian Luka Donu010diu0107 made a statement with Rookie of the Year. Toronto Raptors’ Cameroonian Pascal Siakam turned heads, winning the Most Improved Player of the Year while helping the Raptors win a franchise-first NBA championship.