The Top 25 European players ever

<p>25. Nicolas Batum. NBA stats: 11.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 15.2 PER in eight seasons. Two-way player who showed steady progress in Portland throughout the years (except his last one), then became an All-Star candidate in Charlotte. Not the athletic freak he once was, Batum now displays a refined ground game with very nice scoring and playmaking skills.</p>

<p>24. Goran Dragic. NBA stats: 12.5 ppg, 4.7 apg, 16.9 PER in eight seasons. Came close to becoming the second Euro guard to make the All-Star Game in 2013-14. Super aggressive PG who's very hard to stop when he drives to the basket.</p>

<p>23. Jose Manuel Calderon. NBA stats: 9.9 ppg, 6.5 apg, 16.4 PER in eleven seasons. Came into the NBA as an athletic guard with no outside shot and developed into a heady playmaker with a killer jumper. A model of consistency throughout his long career. Has won everything but the Olympic gold with the Spanish National Team.</p>

<p>22. Juan Carlos Navarro. NBA stats: 10.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 11.9 PER in one season. Reduced to the role of three-point shooting specialist his one year in the NBA with Memphis, Navarro has one of the most illustrious careers in FIBA basketball history. Incredibly creative scorer who wasn't tested enough at the top level to warrant a higher position in this ranking.</p>

<p>21. Danilo Gallinari. NBA stats: 14.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 16.3 PER in seven seasons. A bona-fide starter for both the Knicks and the Nuggets that, at times, looked like a potential All-Star. Outside shooting is great, but durability is a concern.</p>

<p>20. Dejan Bodiroga. Crafty ballhander and cold-blooded killer that dominated European competitions for a decade. Won three Eurobaskets and two World Championships with Yugoslavia. Was he too slow for the NBA?</p>

<p>19. Mehmet Okur. NBA stats: 13.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 17.1 PER in 10 seasons. Was never much of a rebounder, but got it done offensively in the NBA for almost 10 years. One of the best shooting big men we've seen in the league lately. Had plenty of success with some good Utah Jazz teams - even making it to the All-Star Game once.</p>

<p>18. Predrag Danilovic. NBA stats: 12.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 11.1 PER in two seasons. Terrific combination of shooting skills and athleticism. Unlike fellow Serbian Dejan Bodiroga, Danilovic proved himself in the NBA and did pretty well there with Pat Riley's Miami Heat. Retired when he was just 30 with a long list of accolades that includes two World Championships, two Eurobaskets, two Euroleague titles and an Olympic silver medal.</p>

<p>17. Hidayet Turkoglu. NBA stats: 11.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 14.3 PER in 15 seasons. Do-it-all forward that was absolutely central to Orlando's playoff run in 2009. His playmaking and ability to hit big shots made him a huge offensive threat in his prime years.</p>

<p>16. Dino Radja. NBA stats: 16.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 17.4 PER in four seasons. The talented Croatian center was a bright spot in very tough years for the Boston Celtics in the mid-90s. Came close to averaging 20 and 10 in 1995-96 – a feat no Euro player has yet accomplished.</p>

<p>15. Sarunas Marciulionis. NBA stats: 12.8 ppg, 2.2 apg, 16.7 PER in seven seasons. One of the European pioneers in the league. A bulldog that could score in bunches off the bench with great penetrations and nice shooting.</p>

<p>14. Rik Smits. NBA stats: 14.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 17.9 PER in 12 seasons. A fixture at the center spot for the Indiana Pacers in the 90s. Sweet touch from mid-range and an effective hook shot turned him into an offensive weapon, but rebounding was nothing to call home about.</p>

<p>13. Zydrunas Ilgauskas. NBA stats: 13.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 18.5 PER in 13 seasons. Serious injury problems early in his career made you wonder if he was a viable NBA center... But ended up retiring a two-time All-Star. Though mobility was limited, he put up very good scoring in rebounding numbers throughout his career.</p>

<p>12. Andrei Kirilenko. NBA stats: 11.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 18.7 PER in 13 seasons. High-energy player who didn't need the ball to be extremely effective. When the shot was not falling, he could fill the stat sheet with rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Possessed athleticism not often seen in European players.</p>

<p>11. Toni Kukoc. NBA stats: 11.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 17.3 PER in 13 seasons. Smooth player with tremendous basketball IQ. Successful role player for the legendary Bulls that probably could have garnered more individual accolades in a weaker squad. Made basketball look too easy.</p>

<p>10. Joakim Noah. NBA stats: 9.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 17.7 PER in nine seasons. A defensive pest. The Frenchman has great motor and doesn't take plays off. Makes up for his many shortcomings with heart and focus. Will never be mistaken for a scorer, but his passing skills and vision on the court can help teams offensively.</p>

<p>9. Marc Gasol. NBA stats: 14.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 18.6 PER in eighth seasons. First European Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history. A locker room leader and a defensive stalwart for the Memphis Grizzlies. No shortage of skill on the offensive end, although he's unselfish to a fault and can't finish at the rim like his brother does.</p>

<p>8. Detlef Schrempf. NBA stats: 13.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 17.2 PER in 16 seasons. Only played FIBA ball with the German National Team as he spent all his college and pro career in the States. The first European All-Star in the NBA. Terrific all-around game.</p>

<p>7. Vlade Divac. NBA stats: 11.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 17.7 PER in 16 seasons. Charismatic center with little impact on the defensive end, but huge contribution offensively with top-notch passing and shooting touch. Was pretty good with the Lakers and grew to All-Star status in Sacramento.</p>

<p>6. Arvydas Sabonis. NBA stats: 12.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 21.2 PER in seven seasons. Absolutely dominated FIBA ball with an almost unparalleled mix of size, quickness and skill. Was a shadow of his old self after the injuries, but managed to re-invent himself as an even craftier post player with great shooting range. Became an important contributor to great Portland teams in the NBA, but physical limitations didn't allow him to become a real NBA star.</p>

<p>5. Predrag Stojakovic. NBA stats: 17.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 17.1 PER in 13 seasons. One of the best shooters in NBA history. Automatic from three-point range. A perfect sidekick to Chris Webber in those great Sacramento teams in the early '00s. Never developed the quasi-cult following of Euro legends like Sabonis or Petrovic, but still managed a long and successful career in the league both individually and team-wise. Retired with an NBA title, three All-Star Games and one All-NBA 2nd Team presence.</p>

<p>4. Drazen Petrovic. NBA stats: 15.4 ppg, 2.4 apg, 16.4 PER in four seasons. The first NBA star with a true European upbringing. A legend oversas, Petro excelled in New Jersey after a disappointing experience in Portland. Was not the most versatile player, but had a winning character and could destroy teams with his one outstanding skill: shooting. His premature death left you wanting more.</p>

<p>3. Tony Parker. NBA stats: 16.6 ppg, 5.9 apg, 18.7 PER in 15 seasons. First international MVP of the Finals. To this day, he remains the only Euro guard to make it to the All-Star Game. Flourished in San Antonio's as a sidekick to Tim Duncan and kept winning big as a leader of the Spurs. With exceptional quickness, Parker got to the basket like few point guards in NBA history and developed a more consistent jump shot over time. His best basketball years are behind him, though.</p>

<p>2. Pau Gasol. NBA stats: 18.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 21.6 PER in 15 seasons. His soft shooting touch, length, athleticism, low-post game and smarts have made him a load to handle ever since he moved to the NBA in 2001. Has never been mistaken for a defensive enforcer, though. A beast in FIBA competitions every summer while playing with Spain. No other player in basketball history has been more consistently dominant in summer tourneys.</p>

<p>1. Dirk Nowitzki. NBA stats: 22.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 23.0 PER in 18 seasons. The only Euro that truly belongs in the conversation when discussing the best basketball players of all time. An offensive machine with shooting skills never seen in a seven-footer. Willed the underdog Dallas Mavericks to an NBA title. No. 6 in the list of NBA all-time scoring leaders and rising. The only European MVP so far and quite probably the only one we will see in a long time.</p>

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