THE NBA is the biggest stage for basketball stars worldwide, but only 23% of current players are from countries outside the United States (Institute for Immigration Research).
This is an odd statistic to digest, particularly for us Brits when you consider our dominant sporting competition, the Premier League, is highly represented by foreign players who make up nearly 72% (transfermarkt.com) of its’ players.
The United Kingdom is thin for representation in the NBA, with only two players from the United Kingdom have featured in the competition this season, none of which having made the World All-Star team for the weekend’s event.
But this weekend’s All-Star Games may be an indication that foreign players are meeting the level of, or even overtaking the Americans.
Ever since the first match in 1951, the format of the annual event has been Eastern Conference players put against Western Conference players.
But as of this year, there are three different teams, ‘USA Stars’, ‘USA Stripes’ and ‘World’, who will play each other once before the winners face off in a final game to decide the ultimate winner.
Due to the volume of American players, they have been split into two teams, with a side consisting of hoopers from the rest of the world also involved.
While they don’t make up a large number of players in the league, it’s clear that foreign players are becoming more valued in the NBA.
Basketball expert Charlie Walker of NBA Analysis, told us: “We have these freak athletes who are good enough to play in the league, but it’s about building the reputation up slowly over time.”
For viewers of the event, it’s important that the new rules don’t negatively impact what is seen as an enjoyable break from the regular season.
NBA fan Carlos Hull, said: “As long as the player are trying their hardest and it’s an even matchup, the All-Star games will always be entertaining.”
Listen to our radio package on the subject on our live 4pm bulletin:
