France leads list of International Players on 2026 NBA Opening Night

Los Angeles, USA – Victor Wembanyama leads the list of 17 French players who are on the rosters of NBA teams as the National Basketball Association tipped-off action for its 2026-207 season.

The 2025-2026 Defensive Player of the year had a stellar season with the San Antonio Spurs and led them to the 2026 NBA Finals last June.

Canada was next on the list with 16 players led by 2-time Most Valauable Player of the Year Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

From the Asia-Pacific region, Australia was third on the list with nine players. Germany (seven) and Nigeria and Serbia (six each) round up the top 5 countries.

Sustained Global Presence in the Associations

This is the sixth consecutive season that opening-night rosters feature at least 120 international players and the 13^th straight season with at least 100 international players.  All 30 NBA teams feature at least one international player.  The Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards feature a league-high seven each.

Philippines Connections

Two players with connection to the Philippines are also on the rosters – Jordan Clarkson with the New York Knicks, Dylan Harper with the San Antonio Spurs and Jalen Green with the Phoenix Suns.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who has family roots from Laguna, will also enter his 16th season as the team's head coach.

The 2026-27 season will reach fans in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages through the league’s broadcast partners around the world and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available via the NBA App.