Top 5 foreign origin players in the NBA right now

The NBA is the absolute gold standard when it comes to all things hoops related across the world and attracts top talent from all corners, countries and continents. The world's most elite ballers ply their trade in the NBA.

As the United States created the game of basketball, it is unsurprising that most players in the NBA are of American origin. America has a great hoop culture and has the proper infrastructure and platform set up to bring in nurtured talent into the league through their college system.

However, not all of the good players in the NBA are from the USA though. Many players of foreign origin too and have done their nations proud by performing at the highest levels in the league.

Many have risen over extreme challenges in the form of poverty, lack of opportunities and risk of abuse and exploitation to get to the level that they have gotten to. For this, deserve all our respect and much more.

Here, we present to you a list of the 5 best players of foreign origin playing in the NBA today!

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#5 Kristaps Porzingis (New York Knicks)

The 'Unicorn' is not just one of the best foreign players, he is one of the best players in the league. Period. The fact that someone of his ability is 5th on this list speaks volumes about the sheer quality of the international players who ply their trade in the NBA today.

On draft day 2 seasons ago, Porzingis was subjected to boos from the crowd as he was selected by the Knicks. He has come a long way since then, firmly establishing himself as the face of his franchise at just 22 years of age.

Unfazed by the skepticism, he took challenges in his stride and became a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden, becoming one of the top stars of the league in the process.

The 7'3" Latvian averaged nearly 23 points per game in 48 games this season (a career best). Despite being a big man, he also made massive strides in the 3-point department maintaining a career-best 39.5% shooting percentage from downtown.

The year of 2018 represented a career-best showing for Porzingis in the defensive department as well as he reached new highs in both steals and blocks per game. Consequently, he was rapidly developing into a dual offensive and defensive threat, much like the likes of NBA royalty such a Kawhi Leonard and John Wall, before his season was cut short by injury.

Already a dark horse prospect in the MVP conversation, Porzingis' stock in the rankings has taken a hit because of the unfortunate ACL injury he suffered that has kept him out for not only half of this season, but also threatens to derail him for a major part of the coming season. But if there is anyone who has what it takes to rise above such challenges, it's Kristaps Porzingis.

#4 Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)

Simmons led the Philadelphia 76ers on a hugely successful 2017-18 campaign

Just two seasons ago, the Philadelphia 76ers were the laughingstock of the league and had set new lows by losing a historically high number of matches in a given season. Fast forward to today- Philadelphia held the 3rd seed in their conference, topping the Cavs led by a certain LeBron James, and went on an unprecedented 17-game winning run.

They not only made the playoffs, they also advanced to the second round before bowing out to the Celtics. So what changed for them so fast? 

Ben Simmons.

Simmons represents Australia at the international level. After not playing a single game last season due to injury, the LSU product has developed into one of the most promising players in the league and has made a strong case for Rookie of the Year.

He is truly the floor general that Philadelphia sorely missed a few seasons back and has gained the approval and appreciation of legends across the league. In fact, many expect him to become an all-timer by the time he hangs his boots.

Simmons has, along with Joel Embiid, been the catalyst for his franchise and is part of one of the most effective backcourts in the Eastern Conference today. He has changed the face of the 76ers and has been instrumental in guiding them to the second round of the playoffs this term.

In his very first regular season, Simmons had a commanding 15.8, 8.2 and 8.1 statline. He has multiple triple-doubles under his belt and has all the inklings of developing into the total offensive package, much like Russell Westbrook- considering he already has a near season-long triple-double statline. He directs and distributes play efficiently, allowing teammates such as Embiid, JJ Redick and TJ McConnell to get possessions and make shots.

While he is a shoe-in for the all-rookie team, Simmons has what it takes to be an MVP. What he needs to work on this off-season to scale even greater heights is-his shooting.

In an age where even centers are making more threes than ever, Ben Simmons has not made a single three-pointer this season. He needs to work on his 3-point shooting, as is expected of all guards in the league, and to increase his offensive contribution.

Next season, analysts across the league want to see him score over 20 points per game, compared to the 15.8 he put up this season. Still, for a rookie, Big Ben has taken the league by storm.

#3 Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

Embiid has developed into an offensive and defensive threat in the NBA today

Joining Ben Simmons on this list, and deservedly so, is Joel Embiid (Also of the Philadelphia 76ers). Embiid represents Cameroon internationally and is the 3rd player of Cameroonian origin to play in the NBA.

Philadelphia have had rotten luck with injuries in the recent past- with Simmons (first pick in 2016 draft) missing the entire 2016-17 season and Markelle Fultz (first pick in 2017 draft) missing all but 3 games of the 2017-18 regular season. Even Joel Embiid, selected 3rd overall in the 2014 draft, missed 2 straight seasons due to a broken navicular bone in his foot.

However, showing sheer resilience and mental capability, Embiid persevered and took the league by storm. Last season, without the services of Simmons, he carried the 76ers on his shoulders and gave rise to optimism for the future- something that the franchise had not had in a long time.

This season, with Simmons by his side and the addition of veterans such as JJ Redick and the resurgence of TJ McConnell and Robert Covington, he has carried the franchise to new heights.

Embiid has become one of the most dominant centers in the league today and made his first All-Star appearance this season. He tallied a consistent 23 points per game (ahead of the likes of Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul, et al) which is 12th overall and 3rd highest among centers in the NBA.

He is 4th in the entire NBA in blocks per game this season with 1.8 and couples this with 11 rebounds per game in the regular season. His 7-foot frame makes him a menace on the defensive end- with many touting him to develop into a DPOY contender in the (very) near future. He is 8th overall in defensive stats in the NBA this season.

In the end, it isn't skills or ability that is holding Embiid back and preventing him from rising to higher spots in not only this list but the NBA as a whole, it is his injury-prone tendencies.

Simmons is back to his healthy best after missing the entirety of last season but Embiid has struggled with injuries this season as well (not to mention the 2 seasons he missed entirely due to injury).

While he has what it takes to get to the very top, a lot depends on how healthy Embiid can stay in the coming seasons. On a good, injury-free day, Joel Embiid is stuff that nightmares are made of.

#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

Giannis Antetokounmpo has become the franchise player for the Milwaukee Bucks

The 'Greek Freak' has been on fire this season. From a "promising prospect", he has developed into a bona fide star of the league in his own right.

He was 5th in the entire NBA in scoring in the regular season and recorded 26.9 points per game. Giannis Antetokounmpo is blessed with a massive 6'11", 222-pound frame which allows him to drive to the rim with a ferocity seldom displayed by others around the league.

He also couples his rim shattering drives with able post-play and mid-region scoring. His rise in the league has been meteoric. He scored 6.8 points per game in his rookie season compared to the 26.9 he made this year - 5th best in the league - and has gone on to establish himself as a regular in the All-Star and All-NBA squads in the last 2 seasons.

Just at 23, Giannis is already the face of his franchise and has also made a case for the coveted MVP honors this season.

All that remains for him is to lead his side on a deep playoff run- something that the Bucks have struggled with. Despite having healthy rosters full of talent required to compete at the highest levels, the Milwaukee Bucks have failed to rise to the heights expected of them.

While Giannis has certainly done all that he could and more, he can become MVP and grab first place in the rankings only if he carries the team to high seeds and conference contending runs. There is no man better for the job - the stage is set for the Greek Freak, and the NBA is his for the taking.

#1 Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics)

Kyrie Irving is on the cusp of All-Time superstardom

Kyrie Irving is of Australian origin but played college basketball for the Duke University Blue Devils before being selected first overall in the 2011 NBA draft. He has since then gone on to establish himself as one of biggest stars of the league.

He is often considered to be one of the greatest ball handlers of all time and is compared to the legendary Hall of Famer, "Pistol Pete" Maravich. Skills, stats, star power, championships - you name it. Kyrie has it all.

This is part of why he is so lethal. The other players on the list, and most other NBA players regardless of nationality, for that matter, have at least ONE weakness that holds them back, that makes them vulnerable.

Not Kyrie.

Kyrie puts defenders on skates with his suave moves, driving to the rim despite his comparatively small size. He can score via rim drives and three points alike. This season he has had his personal best field goal percentage of 49.1%, making half of all the shots he attempts.

His scoring prowess is also showcased by the fact that he was 8th in the entire NBA in scoring, ahead of the likes of Stephen Curry. Also, his scoring prowess is not at the cost of turnovers for the opponents.

Often enough, players who score the highest also tend to lose possession most frequently- either because of increased possession or because of having their teams' game flow through them- but this season, Kyrie has actually managed to keep a new career-best 2.3 turnovers per game. So, he is actually scoring more and losing the ball less than ever!

After his blockbuster trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics, Kyrie has played with purpose and passion- leading his team to the 2nd seed in the East. Despite playing without fellow All-Star Gordon Hayward, Kyrie has led a very young team to remarkable success.

While Kyrie is contending with a knee injury and still does need to improve on his defense, he is one of the biggest stars of the entire NBA and deserves less than no one, the numero uno spot in our rankings!