The NBA may not have produced the largest quantity of Spanish superstars, but there are still more than a handful of standout players from the European nation.
Since the NBA began seeing an influx of international players, Spain has consistently been at the forefront, churning out some truly great and reliable talents.
While they might not have had a staple franchise player, they make up for it with some winning talents who’ve impacted the NBA, both on and off the court.
With all the undeniable geniuses who have represented the country, here are the five greatest Spanish NBA Players.
Jose Calderón
NBA Ranking: #568
It’s only right that a list of NBA’s greatest Spanish talents begins with Jose Calderón, who, in more ways than one, epitomizes the legacy of every Spanish player who’s stepped on an NBA court.
Steady, professional, and most importantly, reliable — the characteristics of some of the best NBA players from overseas.
Calderón entered the league in 2005 after former Raptors general manager Rob Babcock convinced the 6-foot-2 point guard to sign a contract with the Toronto Raptors.
The Spaniard was never the biggest or strongest, initially making adapting to life in the NBA tough. However, his impressive ball-handling, next-level IQ, and elite shooting placed him in his own tier.
In the 14 seasons he played in the NBA, he featured for six different NBA teams. He was also a staple in the Spain men’s national basketball team.
Achievements/Resumé:
- Holds the record for the highest free throw percentage in a single season.
- 1× FIBA World Cup title.
- 2× Olympic Silver medals.
- 1× EuroBasket title.
Serge Ibaka
NBA Ranking: #336
Although born in Bangui, Central African Republic, Serge Ibaka is still of Spanish descent after naturalizing in 2011.
Ibaka was selected by the Sonics with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2008 Draft, becoming the first Congolese player to be selected in an NBA Draft.
2009 Oklahoma City Thunder signed Ibaka to a two-year contract with an optional two seasons.
While Ibaka might not have the consistency of many NBA superstars, he has a peak that few can rival. Thanks to his undeniable physical gifts, he established himself as one of the best-shot blockers the league has ever seen.
When his athleticism began to wane, he joined the Toronto Raptors, a move that would go on to shape his career. He’d eventually win his first-ever NBA title.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× NBA Champion.
- 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team.
- 2× NBA Blocks Leader.
Fernando Martin
NBA Ranking: #4281
Fernando Martin isn’t a name many are familiar with, but this shouldn’t be the case.
Although Martin only played a single season in the NBA, his impact on the league and its recruitment of European talents cannot be overstated.
He was the first Spanish player to step foot on an NBA court after being signed in 1986 by the Portland Trail Blazers. Martin was also only the second European to ever feature in the league.
Although he played only 24 games in the NBA in the 1986-87 season, his impact on the NBA’s international scene lasted long after he left the league.
…and in 1991, Martin was named on FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players list, and rightfully so.
Achievements/Resumé:
- First Spanish player to play in the NBA.
- Second European to play in the NBA.
- 1× FIBA Club World Cup.
- 3× FIBA European Super Cup.
Marc Gasol
NBA Ranking: #253
Pretty much any basketball fan could’ve predicted the final two names on this list.
Marc Gasol’s entire legacy on the court was built on defense. His influence in the NBA was immeasurable and was the true embodiment of a two-way center.
Praised for his brilliant defensive instincts, Marc was the kind of player who could lead a team right from the paint.
The L.A. Lakers selected Marc with the 48th pick in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft. However, he didn’t play in L.A. right away. Instead, the L.A. Lakers traded his rights to the Grizzlies.
Besides being the foundation of the Grit’ N Grizzlies, the Spaniard established himself as an NBA superstar when he played a major role in winning the Raptors the NBA Championship in 2019.
He was beyond integral in slowing Joel Embiid down during the playoff semifinals.
Being big has its perks, but nothing beats being big and smart. That was Marc Gasol — one of the greatest Spanish NBA players the league will ever see.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× NBA Champion.
- 3× NBA All-Star.
- 1× All-NBA First Team.
- 1× All-NBA Second Team.
- 1× NBA Defensive Player of The Year.
- 1× NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Pau Gasol
NBA Ranking: #43
As impactful as the careers of every Spanish player on this list are, none come remotely close to Pau Gasol’s accomplishments in the NBA.
The name ‘Gasol’ is no coincidence; he and Marc are the most successful brothers the league has ever seen.
Pau Gasol would go down as a trailblazer for Spanish basketball and European basketball as a whole.
The Atlanta Hawks selected the Spaniard in the 2001 Draft. He would never wear a Hawks shirt on an NBA court, but that was the Hawks’ only loss.
His six-year stint with the Lakers best sums up his record-breaking career in the NBA. Pau won back-to-back NBA Championships with them, making the Gasol brothers the first siblings in the league’s history to win the Championship.
Pau Gasol is still regarded as one of the best power forwards the NBA has ever seen.
…and the Gasols will forever be the greatest ambassadors of basketball in Spain.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 2× NBA Champion.
- 6× NBA All-Star.
- 2× All-NBA Second Team.
- 2× All-NBA Third Team.
- 1× NBA Rookie Of The Year.
Conclusion — The Best Of Spain
Spanish NBA players might be quite rare in the league, but their names continue to inspire many young players—both internationally and in the U.S.
So, perhaps you’re a young Spanish kid hoping for your big break, know this: if these men could make it in the NBA, maybe you can, too.
FAQs
How many Spanish players have played in the NBA?
As of the 2023-24 season, the league had seen 20 players from Spain, including players who didn’t make our list, like Ricky Rubio, Alex Abrines, Sergio Rodriguez, and many more.
Does Spain have any NBA players at the moment?
Yes, Spain currently has only two active NBA players: Salti Aldama and Usman Garuba. However, for the 23rd successive season, at least one Spanish player has participated in the league.
