Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

15 Countries that Produce the Best NBA Players in the World

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.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

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.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Countries that Produce the Best NBA Players in the World.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 15 Countries that Produce the Best NBA Players in the World is published on Insider Monkey.

AI Fire Sale: Insider Monkey’s #1 AI Stock Pick Is On A Steep Discount

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

The whispers are turning into roars.

Artificial intelligence isn’t science fiction anymore.

It’s the revolution reshaping every industry on the planet.

From driverless cars to medical breakthroughs, AI is on the cusp of a global explosion, and savvy investors stand to reap the rewards.

Here’s why this is the prime moment to jump on the AI bandwagon:

Exponential Growth on the Horizon: Forget linear growth – AI is poised for a hockey stick trajectory.

Imagine every sector, from healthcare to finance, infused with superhuman intelligence.

We’re talking disease prediction, hyper-personalized marketing, and automated logistics that streamline everything.

This isn’t a maybe – it’s an inevitability.

Early investors will be the ones positioned to ride the wave of this technological tsunami.

Ground Floor Opportunity: Remember the early days of the internet?

Those who saw the potential of tech giants back then are sitting pretty today.

AI is at a similar inflection point.

We’re not talking about established players – we’re talking about nimble startups with groundbreaking ideas and the potential to become the next Google or Amazon.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW.

Don’t be a spectator in this technological revolution.

Dive into the AI gold rush and watch your portfolio soar alongside the brightest minds of our generation.

This isn’t just about making money – it’s about being part of the future.

So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your investment life!

Act Now and Unlock a Potential 10,000% Return: This AI Stock is a Diamond in the Rough (But Our Help is Key!)

The AI revolution is upon us, and savvy investors stand to make a fortune.

But with so many choices, how do you find the hidden gem – the company poised for explosive growth?

That’s where our expertise comes in.

We’ve got the answer, but there’s a twist…

Imagine an AI company so groundbreaking, so far ahead of the curve, that even if its stock price quadrupled today, it would still be considered ridiculously cheap.

That’s the potential you’re looking at. This isn’t just about a decent return – we’re talking about a 10,000% gain over the next decade!

Our research team has identified a hidden gem – an AI company with cutting-edge technology, massive potential, and a current stock price that screams opportunity.

This company boasts the most advanced technology in the AI sector, putting them leagues ahead of competitors.

It’s like having a race car on a go-kart track.

They have a strong possibility of cornering entire markets, becoming the undisputed leader in their field.

Here’s the catch (it’s a good one): To uncover this sleeping giant, you’ll need our exclusive intel.

We want to make sure none of our valued readers miss out on this groundbreaking opportunity!

That’s why we’re slashing the price of our Premium Readership Newsletter by a whopping 70%.

For a ridiculously low price of just $29, you can unlock a year’s worth of in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single restaurant meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

• Access to our Detailed Report on this Game-Changing AI Stock: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.

• 11 New Issues of Our Premium Readership Newsletter: You will also receive 11 new issues and at least one new stock pick per month from our monthly newsletter’s portfolio over the next 12 months. These stocks are handpicked by our research director, Dr. Inan Dogan.

• One free upcoming issue of our 70+ page Quarterly Newsletter: A value of $149

• Bonus Reports: Premium access to members-only fund manager video interviews

• Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a year of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.

• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee:  If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.

 

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $29.

2. Enjoy a year of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the revolutionary AI company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter over the next 12 months.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!


No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a year later!

A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

I work for one of the largest independent financial publishers in the world – representing over 1 million people in 148 countries.

We’re independently funding today’s broadcast to address something on the mind of every investor in America right now…

Should I put my money in Artificial Intelligence?

Here to answer that for us… and give away his No. 1 free AI recommendation… is 50-year Wall Street titan, Marc Chaikin.

Marc’s been a trader, stockbroker, and analyst. He was the head of the options department at a major brokerage firm and is a sought-after expert for CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and Yahoo! Finance…

But what Marc’s most known for is his award-winning stock-rating system. Which determines whether a stock could shoot sky-high in the next three to six months… or come crashing down.

That’s why Marc’s work appears in every Bloomberg and Reuters terminal on the planet…

And is still used by hundreds of banks, hedge funds, and brokerages to track the billions of dollars flowing in and out of stocks each day.

He’s used this system to survive nine bear markets… create three new indices for the Nasdaq… and even predict the brutal bear market of 2022, 90 days in advance.

Click to continue reading…