Power Rankings: The Top Five International NBA Players at Each Position

One of the best things about the NBA is the number of foreign players who inhabit it. Although not every team is like the Toronto Raptors, where 44% of the roster is made up of international players, every single NBA team has at least one or two foreign players in its ranks. International players are very important to the NBA, as many players born outside of the U.S have become stars and even MVP’s in the league. With the FIBA World Championships underway, I decided to write an article ranking the top international players in the NBA at each position. Enjoy!

Rodrigue Beaubois, Dallas Mavericks

Despite playing only twelve minutes per game last season, Beaubois was one of the most impressive rookies in the league, and he was nicknamed Roddy Buckets for his incredible scoring ability. A 6’2 French combo guard, Beaubois proved he can fill it up last season, scoring a career high 40 points with nine three-pointers in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Beaubois became the only rookie in NBA history to shoot over 50% from the field, 40% from the three-point line and 80% from the free throw line. He is expected to get more minutes as Jason Kidd’s backup next year and should have a solid career.

Marco Belinelli, New Orleans Hornets

Marco Belinelli, a 24-year-old out of Italy, is used primarily as a sharpshooter off the bench. Belinelli is an excellent shooter, but often struggles with consistency and decision-making. He fit in well with Sonny Weems, Jarrett Jack and other Toronto wing players running the fast break last year and averaged 7 points a contest in 17 minutes.

Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings

Casspi turned out to be a pleasant surprise for the Kings last season. Standing at 6’8, the Israeli small forward put up solid numbers in his rookie year, despite some serious inconsistency. I can see him becoming one of the top five international small forwards in a couple of seasons.

Jonas Jerebko, Detroit Pistons

Jerebko, a 6’10, Swedish combo forward, was considered to be one of the steals of the 2009 NBA Draft, and earned his spot in the Piston’s starting lineup last season. Jerebko was a high note in an otherwise disappointing season for Detroit, as he managed to make the All-Rookie Second Team, putting up impressive averages of 9.3 points and 6 rebounds per game in 28 minutes. Jerebko’s main assets on the court are his hustle and defensive tenacity, and he is a very versatile defender, capable of defending multiple positions.

Carlos Delfino, Milwaukee Bucks

Delfino, a 6’6 Argentine small forward, had a career year last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 11 points and 5.3 rebounds in 30 minutes per game. Delfino proved himself to be a versatile scorer and solid three-point shooter, but his minutes should drop next season with the arrival of Corey Maggette and Chris Douglas-Roberts.

Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder

At 6’10 and 135 pounds, Ibaka is a force defensively, who was regarded as one of the best shot-blockers in the league in his rookie season. In only 18 minutes per game last season, Ibaka averaged 1.3 blocks along with 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds, while shooting 54% from the field. Ibaka came up big in the playoffs this year for the Thunder, and is a candidate to start at center for them come next year.

Ersan Ilyasova, Milwaukee Bucks

Ilyasova played big minutes at power forward for the Bucks last season, averaging 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in only 23 minutes per game. At 6’10 and 240 pounds, Ilyasova is both a strong rebounder and an excellent shooter, as he shot 34% from three-point range last season and can stretch the floor with his shooting at the four spot. He should compete with Drew Gooden for the starting power forward role next season.

Nene, Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets Brazilian starting center is himself an excellent comeback story. After struggling through cancer and serious knee injuries, Nene has come back and put up very strong numbers, averaging 14.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game over the last two seasons. Nene is considered to be one of the most athletic centers in the league, and he is also a good ball thief and shot-blocker.

Mehmet Okur, Utah Jazz

Okur, a 6'11 center out of Turkey, has had an excellent career with the Jazz. A skilled rebounder and three-point shooter, Okur was a member of the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons and was named to the 2007 All-Star team for his play with the Jazz. Okur has had a couple of down years, partially due to injury, but is still a solid NBA center.

1. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

Canadian superstar Steve Nash is an easy pick for the best international PG. A 7 time All-Star and 2 time NBA MVP, Nash is widely considered to be one of the best passers and shooters in NBA history. Despite his age, Nash just keeps on getting better, and led his team to the Western Conference Finals last season, where he and the Suns took the Lakers to 6 games.

2. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

Tony Parker can flat out score. The 6'2 Frenchman is one of the best drivers in the league, and when healthy is one of the league's top five point guards. Parker is a three time NBA Champion and All-Star and the 2007 NBA Finals MVP. He is coming off a bit of a down year due to injuries, but should be back to his old form next season, and still has a lot of gas in his tank, as he is only 29.

3. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors

Calderon had a career year with the Raptors in 08-09, averaging 13 points and 9 assists per game while shooting an NBA record 98% from the free throw line. The Spaniard’s statistics dropped last year, as after an injury he was forced to split time at the point guard position with Jarrett Jack. Despite less minutes, Calderon still had a solid season and is one of the top Spanish players in the league.

4. Beno Udrih, Sacramento Kings

About midway through the season last year, Sacramento Kings head coach Paul Westphal decided to move Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans to the shooting guard spot and start Beno Udrih at the point guard spot. The Slovenian guard had previously been acting in a sixth man role, but when given back his starting job he flourished. Udrih has played well for the Kings the last three seasons, averaging nearly 13 points per game the last two, along with 4.7 assists per game. He plays well as the Kings tertiary scorer and as a playmaker.

5. Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns

Dragic had an outstanding second season last year as Steve Nash’s backup. Dragic averaged 8 points and 3 assists per game in just 18 minutes, and shot 45% from the field. The 24-year-old Slovenian is fantastic at getting to and finishing at the rim, and employs a number of ball fakes to shake his defender. After showing many flashes of his potential during the 09-10 season, Dragic proved any doubters left wrong by leading the Suns to a playoff victory over the Spurs, scoring 23 of his 26 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

Three-time NBA Champion Manu Ginobili is one of the most dynamic and explosive scorers in the league. The Argentine guard is considered to be one of the best penetrators in the league, and his driving ability combined with his excellent shooting makes him extremely difficult to guard. Ginobili was an All-Star in 2005 and the recipient of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2008, when he also made the All-NBA Third Team.

2. Leandro Barbosa, Toronto Raptors

Barbosa, nicknamed “The Brazilian Blur”, is known for his incredible speed and scoring ability. Barbosa won the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2007, and played very well as a scorer off the bench throughout his career with the Suns. In the 2009-10 season, Barbosa averaged 9.5 points per game in only 18 minutes a contest. If given starter’s minutes, Barbosa is more than capable of averaging close to 20 points per game.

3. Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trail Blazers

Rudy’s future is currently up in the air, as he is unhappy in Portland and the Blazers have been actively shopping him. The 6’6 Spaniard is best known for his three-point shooting and proficiency on the receiving end of alley-oop dunks. Rudy had a very impressive rookie campaign, averaging 10.4 points and 2 assists in 25 minutes per game. However, his numbers and efficiency dropped off last season, largely due to a lack of confidence and discontentedness with his minutes. Rudy is thought by many to be the next Manu Ginobili, but he will need to become better at getting to the rim to live up to these expectations. Speculation has arisen recently that Rudy will no longer play in the NBA at all, but for now this spot is his.

4. Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City Thunder

Sefolosha, a Swiss, 6’7 shooting guard, is one of the best defenders in the NBA. Sefolosha made the All-Defensive Second Team last season, and was the primary defensive stopper on a very good defensive team (the Thunder). In the Thunder vs. Lakers series, Sefolosha succeeded in slowing Kobe Bryant, although it’s impossible to slow him completely. Although Sefolosha is limited offensively, he is a good athlete and rebounder and his three point shooting has improved.

5. Mickael Pietrus, Orlando Magic

Pietrus has had a solid career as a shooter and defender off the bench for the Warriors and Magic. A 6’6 Carribean-French shooting guard/small forward, Pietrus has played very well for the Magic, averaging 8.7 points per game in limited minutes throughout his career. Pietrus has come up big in the playoffs and is often tasked with guarding the best players on opposing teams.

1. Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls

Luol Deng, a 6’9, Sudanese-British small forward, is one of the core players on the Chicago Bulls. Last season he acted as the Bulls’ secondary scorer, averaging 17.6 points per game. He also helped with rebounding, pulling in 7.3 boards per contest. Deng is a solid defender who has improved his outside shooting and is a serious mid-range threat. Although his scoring will likely drop next season with the arrival of Carlos Boozer and the continued development of Derrick Rose, he should still function as a solid tertiary scorer, and is one of the NBA’s top international players.

2. Danilo Gallinari, New York Knicks

Gallinari had a breakout year last season with the Knicks, averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds per game while becoming a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden. Gallinari emerged as one of the league’s premier three-point marksmen last season, hitting 186 three-pointers while shooting 38% from the three-point line. Gallinari also displayed some impressive athleticism, dazzling the crowd with powerful dunks.

3. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz

Andrei Kirilenko, nicknamed AK-47 for his initials, jersey number and Russian descent, is known as one of the NBA’s top tier defenders, having made three All-Defensive teams in his career. Kirilenko is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, and has proved to be a reliable scorer as well.

4. Hedo Turkoglu, Phoenix Suns

Hedo Turkoglu, a 6’10 combo forward out of Turkey, is widely considered to be one of the top point forwards in the league. Turkoglu is a good shooter who plays best with the ball in his hands, creating his own shot and acting as a playmaker. After relocating from Orlando to Toronto last summer, Turkoglu had a down season, averaging 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, far less impressive than his averages of 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game the year before. Turkoglu hopes to regain his former success next year playing as the Phoenix Suns starting power forward.

5. Nicolas Batum, Portland Trail Blazers

Despite playing only 37 games last season due to a shoulder injury, in that time Batum put up some very solid numbers. The 6’8 Frenchman averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds last season in just 25 minutes per game, while shooting 52% from the field, 41% from long range and 84% from the charity stripe. These numbers are quite impressive, especially considering that Batum’s primary role on the Blazers is to act as the defensive stopper. Batum proved to be a lethal three-point shooter last season and his length and athleticism make him dangerous in the fast break.

1. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki is truly one of a kind. A seven-footer whose shooting ability outmatches most guards, Nowitzki is the only German-born player to ever win an NBA MVP. Dirk has been the face and leader of the Mavericks franchise for over a decade now, and is considered one of the top scoring big men in NBA history. Dirk is capable of playing all three front court positions due to his extreme versatility. He has been named to numerous All-Star and All-NBA teams and is one of the tallest players to ever win the All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout. A future Hall of Famer, Dirk's impact on the NBA is unforgettable, and his outstanding career makes him worthy of the number one spot. 

2. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

The Two-Time NBA Champion and current Kobe sidekick Pau Gasol takes the second spot on my rankings for a variety of reasons. Although he has not won an MVP like Nowitzki has, Gasol is a superior rebounder and passer, averaging 11.3 rpg and 3.4 apg at the power forward spot, while also averaging 18.3 ppg. Gasol is always able to step up when Bryant is struggling and his post moves are unmatched by anyone in the league.

3. Luis Scola, Houston Rockets

Scola, a 6'9 Argentine power forward, is one of the NBA's top post scorers. He helped to fill the void left by Yao Ming's absence by averaging 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season. Scola was a major steal in the 2002 NBA draft, as he was selected with the 55th pick. However, he was unable to come over to the NBA until the 2007-08' NBA season. 

4. Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors

Andrea Bargnani, the first-overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, has had a rather slow start to his NBA career. However, Bargnani established himself as a solid, versatile scorer last season as the Raptors' starting center (although his natural position is power forward). Although a subpar rebounder and shot blocker, Bargnani is an excellent long-range shooter and an athletic finisher. With the departure of Chris Bosh, Bargnani should have a career year in 2011. 

5. Yi Jianlian, Washington Wizards

Yi Jianlian, the NBA's second most successful Chinese player, had a solid year last season with the Nets, averaging 12 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while scoring in a number of ways. Yi may not be the most efficient player, shooting just over 40% from the field at the power forward, but he has improved steadily over his three seasons and is a capable three-point shooter. 

1. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks' Andrew Bogut finally had his breakout year last season. After a few mediocre seasons that had critics proclaiming the Australian 1st overall pick a bust, he finally delivered on his potential, averaging 16 points, 10 boards and 2.5 blocks per game. Bogut established himself as one of the league's best defenders, and along with teammates Brandon Jennings and John Salmons helped lead the Bucks to the playoffs. If not for his horrendous arm injury at the end of the season the Bucks likely would have beaten the Hawks and made a deeper playoff run. Bogut was named to the 2010 All-NBA Third Team despite an all-star snub. 

2. Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Kaman, a 7-footer out of Germany, experienced a career year last season, making his first All-Star appearance while averaging 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Although his numbers will likely drop with the arrival of 2009 First Overall Pick Blake Griffin, Kaman should continue to be a powerful low post presence and scorer for the improving Clippers.

3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

Although more suited for the four spot, the Hawks' Dominican center Al Horford does just fine at center. Horford, like Kaman, made his first All-Star team last season while averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. Horford proved to be an excellent post defender and played surprisingly well despite being the 4th scoring option on the Hawks behind Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford and Josh Smith.

4. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

After many years of living in the shadow of his brother Pau, Marc Gasol has emerged as one of the top young centers in the league. Gasol is the definition of a banger, and his low post presence and rebounding will be imperative to the Grizzlies' success in the years to come. 

5. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

When healthy, the Rockets' 7'6 center is far and away the best foreign center in the NBA. However, Yao's stock drops significantly considering he did not play a single game last season and his future in the NBA is still up in the air. Capable of putting up 20 and 10 on any given night, Yao uses his immense size to shoot over defenders, rebound (though not as well as he should) and block shots (2 bpg throughout his career). If Yao is healthy, the Rockets instantly become contenders. If not, they are a low seeded playoff team at best. 

I chose not to incorporate players like Kelenna Azubuike, Ben Gordon, and Trevor Ariza, who were born outside of the United States but grew up here, in these rankings. Also, Tim Duncan was born on the Virgin Islands, but people born there are granted automatic citizenship and they are called the U.S Virgin Islands, so I don't really consider that foreign. Duncan also represents the U.S internationally. Please feel free to comment any questions or opinions you have. Thanks!