In this article, we will take a look at 15 countries that produce the best NBA players in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the sports market in North America, you can go directly to 5 Countries that Produce the Best NBA Players in the World.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America and it is widely regarded as the premier professional basketball league in the world. Basketball plays a significant role in the sports industry, with the NBA being the most prominent basketball league. The league’s popularity has also led to the growth of sports and basketball globally, with various leagues and tournaments emerging in different regions of the world.
Key Trends in Sports and Latest Basketball News
According to a report by Research and Markets, the global sports market was estimated to have reached a value of $512.14 billion in 2023. The market is expected to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2024 to 2027, pushing the sports market to reach a value of $623.63 billion by the end of the forecast period. The growing passion for sports combined with the increasing awareness among individuals about the health benefits of sports and related activities is driving the demand for sporting goods and products. Increased investments in the development of stadiums and parks as well as sports infrastructure and facilities attract more individuals. The rise in sports tournaments and leagues at various levels around the world ensures increased participation in sports and outdoor activities, which is expected to further augment market growth.
Football, basketball, soccer, cricket, and baseball are some of the most popular sports in the world. Sporting leagues and competitions, including the NBA, generate significant revenues through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. In one of our previous articles about the most profitable sports teams in the US, we discussed that the International Cricket Council’s World Cup in India is expected to provide the South Asian nation’s economy a short boost as cricket fans splurged to enjoy their favorite sport.
Popular athletes have a huge following and media reach. Sportswear and sports equipment manufacturing companies sign star players to increase brand awareness and recognition while also aiming for improved product sales. When fans see their favorite athletes promoting or wearing a particular brand, they are more likely to want to buy those products for themselves. Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UA) is an American sportswear company and a leading inventor, marketer, and distributor of branded athletic performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. In November 2020, Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UA) launched a new brand, called the Curry Brand, in partnership with the NBA star Stephen Curry. The Curry Brand features footwear, apparel, and accessories across multiple categories including basketball and golf. On October 26, Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UA) announced that De’Aaron Fox, Point Guard for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA, signed as the first signature athlete for a multi-year partnership with the Curry Brand. De’Aaron Fox, who had a breakout season in 2023 and was awarded the NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award, will team up with Stephen Curry and the Curry Brand to innovate game-changing footwear and apparel. De’Aaron Fox is also expected to launch his own signature footwear under the Curry Brand in 2024.
Similarly, sponsorship deals can generate significant revenues for sports teams and leagues while also being a valuable marketing tool for brands and businesses. Sponsorship deals can help companies promote their brand and products while also gaining access to a targeted audience. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is an American athletic footwear and apparel corporation and a dominant player in the global basketball footwear market. As one of the world’s largest suppliers of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment, NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) ranks high among the best sporting goods stocks to buy. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) currently has a contract with the NBA to supply jerseys, shorts, and warm-up gear to NBA teams. On December 21, NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) reported earnings for the fiscal second quarter of 2024. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.03, surpassing EPS estimates by $0.18. The company reported a revenue of $13.39 billion.
On October 24, CNBC reported that Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE:SPHR), a premier live entertainment and media company, will become the official jersey patch partner of the New York Knicks for the 2023-2024 NBA season. The Knicks were one of the four teams that did not have a jersey sponsor for the 2022-2023 NBA season. Before that, the Knicks were partners with website hosting and building company Squarespace Inc. (NYSE:SQSP). According to Sports Business Journal, Squarespace Inc. (NYSE:SQSP) paid about $15 million to $16 million per season for the 2.5-inch by 2.5-inch patch on the Knicks jersey. However, the terms of the jersey patch deal between Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE:SPHR) and the New York Knicks were not disclosed. Sphere Entertainment Co.’s (NYSE:SPHR) logo will go on all Knicks game jerseys, practice jerseys and warm-up shirts. Moreover, the logo will appear on all jerseys sold online and at Madison Square Garden’s in-arena retail locations.
Bob Dorfman, sports marketing analyst and creative director at Pinnacle Advertising, said:
“The Sphere is the entertainment entity of the future, the attention it’s getting is spectacular, it’s a mind boggling venue. The Knicks certainly could use the attention and clout of a facility like that.”
Now that we have discussed what’s going on in the world of sports and basketball, let’s take a look at the 15 countries that produce the best NBA players in the world.
Methodology
In this article, we have listed 15 countries that produce the best NBA players in the world. To rank the countries that produce the best NBA stars, we calculated the number of NBA players per capita of each country in the latest NBA season. We consulted the National Basketball Association (NBA) rosters for the 2023-2024 regular season. This database provided us with a list of international players. To calculate the total number of NBA players from the United States, we counted the total number of players on the rosters for the 2023-2024 NBA season, and then subtracted the total number of international players. After calculating each country’s total number of players on the rosters for the 2023-2024 NBA season, we divided the number of players by the country’s total population to determine each country’s number of NBA players per capita. World Bank Open Data provided us with the relevant population data as of 2022 for all countries. Finally, 15 countries that produce the best NBA players in the world based on the number of NBA players per capita are listed below in ascending order.
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15 Countries that Produce the Best NBA Players in the World
15. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Number of NBA Players: 1
Population: 3,233,530
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000031
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe that ranks among the top 15 on our list of countries that produce the best NBA players in the world. Bosnia and Herzegovina have their own professional basketball league, which is operated by the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jusuf Nurkić, for the Phoenix Suns, is the only Bosnian professional basketball player on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024.
14. Jamaica
Number of NBA Players: 1
Population: 2,827,380
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000035
Jamaica, a Caribbean island nation, is known to be the birthplace of some of the world’s fastest sprinters. Nick Richards, for the Charlotte Hornets, is the only Jamaican basketball player on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024.
13. Australia
Number of NBA Players: 9
Population: 26,005,540
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000035
Australia is one of the largest countries in the world and it is home to one of the world’s top basketball squads. The Australian men’s national basketball team that represents the country in international basketball competitions is famously known as the Boomers, which is also the slang term for a male kangaroo. There are 9 Australian professional basketball players on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024.
12. Georgia
Number of NBA Players: 2
Population: 3,712,500
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000054
Georgia is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and West Asia that ranks 12th on our list of countries that produce the best NBA players in the world. The Georgia men’s national basketball team, operated by the Georgian Basketball Federation, made history in 2023 by qualifying for the FIBA World Cup for the first time. There are 2 Georgian professional basketball players on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024.
11. Canada
Number of NBA Players: 26
Population: 38,929,900
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000067
It is worth noting that it was a Canadian, James Naismith, who moved to the US and invented basketball in1890s. It comes as no surprise that Canada ranks among the top countries that produce the best NBA players in the world. Canada has the highest number of international stars in the NBA for the 10th consecutive season. With 26 players on the rosters, Canada is the most-represented country outside of the US in the NBA season 2023-2024.
10. Slovenia
Number of NBA Players: 2
Population: 2,111,990
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000095
Slovenia is a country in Central Europe that is mostly mountainous and forested. It ranks among the top 10 on our list of countries that produce the best NBA players in the world. Slovenia has a strong basketball history and the national basketball team has played several international competitions, including three FIBA World Cups. Vlatko Čančar, for the Denver Nuggets, and Luka Dončić, for the Dallas Mavericks, are the two Slovenian basketball players on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024.
9. Croatia
Number of NBA Players: 4
Population: 3,855,600
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000104
The Croatia men’s national basketball team is considered good, even elite, having played several international competitions and having won two bronze medals at EuroBasket and one bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup. With 4 professional basketball players on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024, Croatia ranks among the top countries that produce the best NBA players in the world.
8. Serbia
Number of NBA Players: 7
Population: 6,664,450
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000105
Serbia is a landlocked country on the Balkan Peninsula at the crossroads of Southeast and Central Europe. The Serbia men’s national basketball team is a consistent contender in international basketball, winning the FIBA World Cup in 1998 and 2002. Serbia has also won the EuroBasket three times in 1995, 1997, and 2001. The Serbia men’s national basketball team bagged the silver medal at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. With 7 professional basketball players on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024, Serbia ranks 8th on our list of countries that produce the best NBA players in the world.
7. Latvia
Number of NBA Players: 2
Population: 1,879,380
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000106
Latvia is one of the three Baltic countries in Northeastern Europe. The Latvia men’s national basketball team won the first European basketball championship, the EuroBasket 1935. Basketball is a popular sport in Latvia, and there are 2 Latvian professional basketball players on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024.
6. Lithuania
Number of NBA Players: 3
Population: 2,831,640
Number of NBA Players Per Capita: 0.00000106
Lithuania is another Baltic state that made it to our list of countries that produce the best NBA players in the world. Basketball is the most popular sport in the country, and the Lithuania men’s national basketball team has won three EuroBasket tournaments. Lithuania also bagged bronze at the 2010 FIBA World Cup. With 3 professional basketball players on the rosters for the NBA season 2023-2024, Lithuania is one of the top countries that produce the best NBA players in the world.
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