The renowned basketball website Basketnews has published a list of the 15 best European players to ever play in the NBA, who have left an indelible mark on the world’s strongest basketball league. Although Nikola Jokić is often at the top of similar lists, this time, the prestigious number one position was taken by legendary German basketball player Dirk Nowitzki.
Nowitzki, who entered the NBA in the late 1990s, surpassed many European talents, even Jokić, despite the Serbian center currently being one of the best players in the world. Basketnews emphasizes that with his precision and unique shooting technique, which included a one-legged fadeaway, Dirk Nowitzki transformed the Dallas Mavericks and left a strong impression on the entire league. “LeBron James called Nowitzki’s fadeaway one of the most unstoppable moves in NBA history, right behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook,” the website writes. In addition, Nowitzki led Dallas to the NBA title in 2011, the only one in the club’s history, further confirming his legendary status.
However, Jokić is there too, having taken the high second place on the list. Although he was not selected as a top pick in the draft, Jokić became the best second-round pick in NBA history. A three-time MVP, six-time All-Star, and the bearer of the first NBA title with the Denver Nuggets, Jokić has already written his name among the best centers of all time. Basketnews emphasizes that despite his global success, Jokić has retained his modesty and love for a simple life in Serbia, where the greatest rest in his life is spending time with his family and horses, as reported by Danas.
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On the list, in addition to Jokić, there are two other Serbian basketball players – Peja Stojaković, who took ninth place, and Vlade Divac, who is in twelfth position. Among the prominent European players are Luka Dončić (6th place), Dražen Petrović (7th place), and Toni Kukoč (11th place). Although Arvydas Sabonis took 10th place, it’s interesting that his son Domantas Sabonis is also highly ranked, in 15th place.
Complete list:
Dirk Nowitzki
Nikola Jokić
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Pau Gasol
Tony Parker
Luka Dončić
Dražen Petrović
Mark Gasol
Peja Stojaković
Arvydas Sabonis
Toni Kukoč
Vlade Divac
Rudy Gobert
Detlef Schrempf
Domantas Sabonis
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Source: Nedeljnik, Foto: Imagn Images