Although the top 50, compiled by Frank Urbina, primarily looks at players’ achievements in the NBA league, playing only in it is not emphasized.
For example, Serbian Dejan Bodiroga (33rd place) or Greek Nikos Galis (45th place) never even played in the strongest basketball league in the world.
The best European of all time, according to Hoops Hype, is German Dirk Nowitzki.
Second and third on this list are Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo and Serbian Nikola Jokic, who are still continuing their careers.
Fourth and fifth are Spaniard Pau Gasol and Frenchman Tony Parker.
Five Lithuanians are also included in the top 50. The highest position is given to Arvydas Sabonis – a symbolic 11th (the 220 cm tower played with a jersey marked with this number).
“A giant who could do everything – A. Sabonis was one of the first unicorns of this game,” writes Hoops Hype.
– Unfortunately, his dominant time in Europe, which is often forgotten, did not last long. He was hampered by serious injuries. Despite them, A. Sabonis still had a sensational career in FIBA basketball and 7 good NBA seasons.
A. Sabonis will always be known as one of the biggest “what ifs…” in basketball. On the other hand, serious injuries are not uncommon for players of his size.
On the court, he showed amazing vision and shot from long range, which centers rarely did at the time. It was simply fascinating to watch him.”
30-year-old Domantas Sabonis, one of A. Sabonis’ sons, is the second highest-rated Lithuanian – he is ranked 16th.
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“A left-handed big man with point guard skills, rebounding, and scoring from under the basket – a very versatile, All-Star level player, who already has a more prominent NBA career than his father.
Domantas is only 30, so we hope he shakes off injuries and returns to All-Star level, perhaps rising even higher in this ranking in the future,” states Hoops Hype.
The third Lithuanian – Žydrūnas Ilgauskas is listed in 21st position.
“He was a unique big man due to his height and build, but effective and productive with his long-range shots and ability to block opponents’ shots near his own basket.
Truly exceptional and very effective in his prime,” shares Hoops Hype.
The other two Lithuanians, Šarūnas Marčiulionis and Jonas Valančiūnas, are side by side – in 28th and 29th positions, respectively.
“The narrative persists that the first Europeans in the NBA league did not receive much trust from coaches, but Š. Marčiulionis showed that this was a mistake.
Š. Marčiulionis played a lot in his first seasons in the NBA league. As a guard, he was incredibly strong, which allowed him to regularly score points from under the basket,” notes Hoops Hype.
“From a role player at the beginning of his career, he became a solid, better-than-average starter, and later – a reserve,” writes Hoops Hype about J. Valančiūnas, who left the NBA this summer and moved to Kaunas “Žalgiris”.
– At the peak of his powers, the big man from Lithuania was a double-double machine, powerfully battling under the basket due to his broad shoulders.”
Full list of the top 50 Europeans:
- Dirk Nowitzki (Germany)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
- Nikola Jokic (Serbia)
- Pau Gasol (Spain)
- Tony Parker (France)
- Luka Dončić (Slovenia)
- Rudy Gobert (France)
- Marc Gasol (Spain)
- Dražen Petrović (Croatia)
- Peja Stojaković (Serbia)
- Arvydas Sabonis (Lithuania)
- Detlef Schrempf (Germany)
- Vlade Divac (Serbia)
- Toni Kukoč (Croatia)
- Nikola Vučević (Montenegro)
- Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania)
- Joakim Noah (France)
- Andrei Kirilenko (Russia)
- Rik Smits (Netherlands)
- Goran Dragić (Slovenia)
- Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (Lithuania)
- Ricky Rubio (Spain)
- Kristaps Porziņģis (Latvia)
- Dino Rađa (Croatia)
- Danilo Gallinari (Italy)
- Nicolas Batum (France)
- Dennis Schröder (Germany)
- Šarūnas Marčiulionis (Lithuania)
- Jonas Valančiūnas (Lithuania)
- Hedo Türkoğlu (Turkey)
- Victor Wembanyama (France)
- Mehmet Okur (Turkey)
- Dejan Bodiroga (Serbia)
- José Calderón (Spain)
- Clint Capela (Switzerland)
- Lauri Markkanen (Finland)
- Juan Carlos Navarro (Spain)
- Boris Diaw (France)
- OG Anunoby (Great Britain)
- Bojan Bogdanović (Croatia)
- Alperen Şengün (Turkey)
- Evan Fournier (France)
- Predrag Danilović (Serbia)
- Marcin Gortat (Poland)
- Nikos Galis (Greece)
- Ivica Zubac (Croatia)
- Deni Avdija (Israel)
- Bogdan Bogdanović (Serbia)
- Swen Nater (Netherlands)
- Vassilis Spanoulis (Greece)
