The NBA is a basketball league based in the United States of America and Canada. This does not prohibit other nationals to have their time in the league. As of today, more international players are entering the league, and some are leading their teams. Names like Giannis, Porzingis, and Schröder are extremely popular. Guess where they came from. Europe The NBA is a basketball league based in the United States of America and Canada.
This does not prohibit other nationals to have their time in the league. As of today, more international players are entering the league, and some are leading their teams. Names like Giannis, Porzingis, and Schröder are extremely popular. Guess where they came from. Europe. Let’s exploce German Basketball Players Who Made It To The NBA below.
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German Basketball Players Who Made It To The NBA
Toni Kukoc
From today’s observations, the Croatian must be seen as a harbinger of the current NBA playing style. Despite his 2.08 meter height, he had an excellent touch from downtown and was known for his versatility. Kukoc was actually a power forward, but was used in all five positions during his time with the Bulls from 1993 to 2000. The “White Magic”, as he was often called in Europe, won three titles alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the gang.
He also became the Sixth Man of the Year in 1996 since when no player has been the best sixth man and am NBA champion in the same season. However, Kukoc was less successful with the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and Milwaukee Bucks. In 2006, he ended his career with some impressive scores which establish his position among the best European NBA players.
Peja Stojakovic
Like Petrovic, Stojakovic particularly fascinated American fans with his shooting skills from different positions. His three pointers made him a valuable part of the offense at each of his teams. During his best stint in the Sacramento Kings, Stojakovic was an All-star three times in a row and in 2004, he was appointed to the All NBA Second Team. However, his desired title which was also longed by teammates Chris Webber and Mike Bibby was yet to come by.
It was only in his last NBA season that he got a chance winning a championship with Dallas Mavericks and contributed two 20-point games in the playoff run which was obviously a better feat pulled by any other contemporary NBA draft by Dallas Mavericks. Stojakovic has been a great inspiration to many of today’s aspiring small forwards. He works as General Manager of Reno Bighorns, the Kings G-League team, and his jersey number (16) is retired.
Chris Kaman
Naturally, the NBA is filled with some immensely tall athletes, and Chris Kaman is another one that can boast the height of 2.13m (7 ft.). While Kaman was actually born in Michigan, he has dual citizenship in Germany. He played for the German national basketball team during the 2008 German Olympics.
In the position of center, Kaman has played for multiple NBA teams including the LA Clippers, the New Orleans Hornets, the LA Lakers, and the Portland Trailblazers. He was initially selected as the 6th pick overall in the 2003 NBA draft.
Elias Harris
Elias Harris is another German American basketball player, though unlike Kaman he was born in Germany. After playing in high school and college where he achieved notoriety and success as a forward, he nonetheless went undrafted in 2013, and joined the LA Lakers’ summer league.
He played for the team in various capacities before ultimately being waived later that year. In 2014, Harris also played in the summer league for the Phoenix Suns. Since then, the 27 year old has been playing for Brose Baskets in Bramberg, Germany.
Shawn Bradley
Shawn Bradley is a 44 year old retired basketball player who was born in Landstuhl, Germany. He was chosen during the 1993 NBA draft as the 2nd overall pick of that year. He played center for the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets, and the Dallas Mavericks, where he remained until 2005. At 2.29m (7’6”), he is one of the tallest players ever in NBA history.
He played alongside Dirk Nowitzki on the German national basketball team as well. While he can trace his origins to Germany, he spent much of us young life in Utah, where he acquired the nickname, the ‘enormous Mormon.’
