

Much of this perception stems from the fact that one of the largest leagues, the National Basketball Association (NBA), was founded in the United States.
However, there are also notable athletes among European players who have made invaluable contributions to the game. Today, we will talk about the best players from Europe whom you may not have heard of.
1. Dirk Nowitzki
He was known for making highly successful shots from beyond the three-point line. Nowitzki made an invaluable contribution to his team participating in the NBA Championship in 2011. If you are a basketball enthusiast, like online gambling, you have definitely heard about this athlete.
2. Tony Parker
A French player who also had a successful career in the NBA, predominantly playing for the San Antonio Spurs.
During his time with the team, they successfully won several major NBA championships. Among fans, he earned a reputation as one of the quickest and most agile players with excellent ball handling skills.

3. Toni Kukoc
He is not only a key player for the Croatian national team but also a prominent representative of the Chicago Bulls, with whom he won three crucial NBA championships.
4. Dražen Petrovic
A player from Croatia, remembered by many as the greatest basketball player of all time. He played as a shooting guard, initially building a successful career in Europe before joining the New Jersey Nets, where he showed excellent results until his tragic death in 1993.
He was a key figure in European basketball, dazzling fans with his productive play in almost every match.
5. Arvydas Sabonis
This player from Lithuania is regarded as one of the most experienced centers in basketball history, constantly dominating on the court.
Sabonis initially built a successful career in European basketball, attracting attention from the NBA, and was invited to join the Portland Trail Blazers.
He is also known for having one of the strongest basketball IQs, with tactics that always allowed him to surpass opponents.
6. Pau Gasol
He was truly a versatile player who performed well in various positions on the court. While Gasol played for the Los Angeles Lakers, his team won the NBA Championship twice.
Additionally, the basketball player made an invaluable contribution to Spain winning the gold medal at the International Basketball Championship.
7. Drazen Dalipagic
A player from Serbia, initially part of the former Yugoslavia team, he is one of the key basketball players in European basketball. He became famous for his exceptional leadership qualities and effective assists.
He showed excellent performance both as a guard and as a forward. He demonstrated his success until retirement, achieving many major titles, including leading his team to victory in the European Basketball League.

8. Sarunas Marciulionis
A player from Lithuania, he was one of the first European basketball players to excel in the National Basketball Association.
He showed efficiency on the court and consistently made accurate passes for scoring opportunities.
Throughout his career, he played for several NBA teams and also won a gold Olympic medal representing Lithuania.
9. Dino Radja
A player from Croatia who played both center and forward positions, known for his dominance on the court, resilience in unexpected situations, and effective scoring.
He had a successful career with the Croatian national team for a long time and later became part of the Boston Celtics, where he also made a significant contribution.
10. Detlef Schrempf
He played for two NBA teams – the Seattle SuperSonics and the Indiana Pacers – and participated multiple times in the NBA All-Star Game.
11. Vlade Divac
Another player from the former Yugoslavia who excelled as a center forward. He gained worldwide fame among basketball fans due to his nearly perfect passes.
After ending his playing career, he became one of the influential figures in NBA basketball administration.

12. Marc Gasol
A Spanish player in the center position, renowned for his high basketball skills, masterful behavior on the court, and excellent defense under his basket.
He played for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA, leading them to championship status. He also had a successful career playing for the Spanish national team for many years.
13. Nikola Jokic
One of the best players from Serbia in NBA history, playing as a center. He gained popularity among basketball fans for his exceptional passing skills to his team members.
He also demonstrated outstanding results in many games, earning the title of NBA Most Valuable Player in 2021.
Conclusion
All these players not only succeeded on the basketball court but also contributed to the widespread popularity of this sport in Europe. They inspired European players to achieve excellent results in their national teams and fearlessly conquer European arenas.