NBA opening-night rosters for 2026-27 include 125 international players from 43 countries across six continents. The country total ties a record, while the number of players remains below the high of 135 set at the start of 2025-26.
It is the sixth consecutive season with at least 120 international players and the 13th with at least 100. All 30 teams have an international player; Miami, Dallas and Washington lead with seven each.
France leads the country count
France has 17 representatives, including Victor Wembanyama, becoming the first country other than Canada to lead the list in 13 seasons. Canada follows with 16, Australia with nine and Germany with seven. Nigeria and Serbia have six apiece.
There are 70 European players for the second consecutive season. The NBA highlights Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić and Wembanyama among them.
More than 60 players, including both American and international players, were born in Africa or have a parent born there. That category differs from the international-player count.
Awards and family connections
A record 19 international players on the rosters have been All-Stars. Four international players have also won the past eight MVP awards: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokić, Joel Embiid and Antetokounmpo.
The NBA separately notes American players with overseas family connections. Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams is listed as having ties to Vietnam; that does not establish Vietnamese nationality.
The figures describe the opening roster snapshot, including active and inactive players, with nationality categories, birthplace and family links requiring distinct interpretation.