Who said Asians can’t hoop? Definitely not anyone with knowledge of the game!
There’s no doubt the NBA has gone quite global—certainly more global than it was back in the 80s and 90s. Packing more and a lot more fanbase in Asia.
An article by USA Today in 2019 estimated the NBA’s yearly revenue from China alone at $500 million, about 10 percent of the league’s income.
However, Asian NBA Players aren’t still as common as those hailing from Europe or North America. Even with that as the case, there have been several Asians in the NBA who have left an indelible mark on the league, either on the court or off it.
The impact of these players shaped how the world looked at Asian players!
From the likes of Jeremy Lin and Yao Ming to other more current names, let’s honor the five best Asian players ever to step foot on an NBA court.
Yao Ming (China)
NBA Ranking: #455
To any real basketball head, the name Yao Ming shouldn’t even be a mystery. He’s one of the most honored NBA players from overseas.
The 7-foot-6 basketball center is still regarded as the best Asian player to ever step foot on an NBA court. Born in Shanghai, Yao Ming played for the Shanghai Sharks as a teenager before being selected as the first overall pick in the first round of the 2002 Draft by the Houston Rockets.
…and from that moment, history was made!
Throughout his nine-year stint at the Rockets, the hall-of-famer averaged 19.0 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks per game, and 1.6 assists. However, he was more than just the ‘Yao Ming stats’. He constantly showed a level of basketballing IQ and offensive dominance, placing him a cut above the rest.
To date, the NBA and Houston remain big deals in China because of Yao.
Resume/Achievements:
- 8× NBA All-Star.
- 2× All-NBA Second Team.
- 3× All-NBA Third Team.
- NBA All-Rookie First Team.
- No. 11 retired by the Houston Rockets.
Jeremy Lin (Taiwan)
NBA Ranking: #848
When Jeremy Lin first joined the NBA, no one thought that a fairly unknown Asian guard playing for the New York Knicks would eclipse the likes of Carmelo Anthony or even Kobe Bryant in popularity, but they couldn’t have been more wrong.
What’s crazier is that this happened way back in 2012, when Lin took the NBA by storm and gave rise to “Linsanity.”
Lin was the first American of Taiwanese or Chinese descent to play in the league. However, his most important record didn’t come until seven years after he joined the Knicks when he became the first Asian-American to win the NBA Championship with the Toronto Raptors.
Linsanity captivated the NBA world during the 2011-12 season when he led a winning turnaround with the Knicks in a 10-game run, which saw the Taiwanese-American average 24.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds.
At the time, an Asian player wowing the crowd, making clutch plays, and dominating the opposition hadn’t been seen before.
Resume/Achievements:
- 1× NBA Champion.
- 1× NBA Player Of The Week.
Wataru Misaka (Japan)
NBA Ranking: #4597
In some rare cases in the NBA, it takes more than jaw-dropping numbers on the court to create a lasting legacy.
This is just the case with Wat Misaka, a second-generation Japanese-American who made history as the first man of Asian descent to make it to the NBA.
The 5-foot-7-inch point guard broke the color barrier in the NBA when he became the first non-white player to feature in the league.
While his professional basketball career lasted a single season with the New York Knicks, a legacy like that can’t be forgotten. Ultimately, it was a one-year career that would last a lifetime.
Resume/Achievements:
- First non-white player
- First Asian American player
Jordan Clarkson (Philippines)
NBA Rankings: #310
It’s never easy to nab an individual player award in the NBA, especially for an Asian player.
Whether it’s the Most Valuable Player or even Rookie of the Year, accolades like these are only handed out to the best of the best.
…and you know the NBA is choke-full of the absolute best!
In Jordan Clarkson’s case, the Utah Jazz star point guard won the NBA Sixth Man Of the Year back in 2021. Among the 68 games he played in his headline-making 2021 season, the Filipino-American averaged 18.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, all from the bench.
Clarkson remains one of the best current Asian NBA players.
Resume/Achievements:
- 1× NBA Sixth Man Of The Year.
- 1× NBA All-Rookie First Team.
- 1× NBA Rookie Of The Month.
Rui Hachimura (Japan)
NBA Ranking: #1201
Born and raised in Japan, the 6-foot-8 Gonzaga University graduate was selected by the Washington Wizards in the 2019 Draft.
Rui was the ninth pick in the first round, making him the first Japanese-born to be picked that high in the NBA Draft. The record speaks for itself, really.
During his time with the Wizards, Rui repeatedly showed why he was selected in the first round. In 177 games, he averaged 13.0 points, 1.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds.
Resume/Achievements:
- 1× NBA in-season Tournament Champion.
- 1× All-Rookie Team.
- 1× WCC Player Of The Year.
- 2× First-team All-WCC.
Conclusion — Honoring Asia’s Best
The truth is this list doesn’t do justice to all the Asian names who bridged the gap between Asia and the NBA.
Iranian legend Hamed Haddadi, Israeli icon Omri Casspi, and Filipino-American Raymond Townsend are some of the names that spring to mind. These past greats are the reason a young Asian boy can dream of making it to the top of the NBA.
To all these stars who put it all on the hardwood to show the world that even Asian NBA players can make it to the top of the league, it’s a big ‘thank you’ to you.
FAQs
Is the NBA popular in Asia?
The NBA is quite popular in Asia, especially in China and the Philippines. The NBA has millions of followers on Chinese social media, making it the most followed league in the region.
Are there any Asian players in the NBA?
Yes, there are a few Asian players in the league, although they are underrepresented compared to other races.
Are there any Korean NBA players?
Currently, no. There’s only been one South Korean to feature in the NBA — Ha Seung-Jin.
