The National Basketball Association remains one of the most international leagues in U.S. sports. Making the rosters of the 30 NBA teams were 83 players from 35 countries outside the United States. The Milwaukee Bucks is the team with the most internationals with six players while only three teams have no international players.
Milwaukee Goes International
The rise of the game outside the United States is no more evident than looking at the Milwaukee Bucks. Half of the Bucks' roster is made up of players from abroad. Their starting center Andrew Bogut from Australia is the former No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The Bucks also have one of the most exciting forwards in the game in Turkish star Ersan Ilyasova. In addition there is the Argentinean veteran Carlos Delfino as well as the Dutch duo of Francisco Elson and Dan Gadzuric. And waiting in the wings is one of Croatia's biggest emerging stars at point guard in Roko Leni-Ukic.
Toronto Raptors Becoming European All-Star Team
The Toronto Raptors not only have five foreigners but also have the only national-born head coach in Jay Triano of Canada. The Raptor quintet of foreign-born players all hail from Europe and could make up an All-Star team in Europe. Jose Calderon is looking forward to helping Spain repeat their World Championship in 2010 in Turkey, where Hedo Turkoglu hopes to lead the host nation Turkey to at least a medal. Italy will not be at the 2010 Worlds but Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli have hopes high for the future in Italia. And Rasho Nesterovic has been one of Slovenia's best big men for years though he is getting up there in years.
