As the seasons go by and new stars emerge, the NBA has only become more global, more of the phenomenon that it is.
The 2023 to 2024 basketball seasons saw 125 international plates on the opening night roster. A new all-time high for the league, as these players came from 43 countries across six continents.
…and Germany, of course, is one of the hotspots, with eight pro players.
Think of them as the underdog? Well, it’s your funeral. The German national team is a force to reckon with, as they won the gold medal in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 5 German basketball players in the NBA.
Dirk Nowitzki
NBA Ranking: #6
This list would be incomplete without Dirk Nowitzki, one of the finest NBA players from overseas.
A former NBA champion and MVP, Nowitzki’s stats include ranking sixth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Playing 21 seasons, he received 14 all-star selections and three MVP votes for three consecutive seasons.
One of his finest moments was in 2011, when he led his team to their first NBA title.
Even at the international level, Nowitzki helped his team get the bronze medal in the 2002 World Cup and the silver medal in the 2005 EuroBasket.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 12× All-NBA
- 1× NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
- 1× NBA Most Valuable Player
- 6× NBA Player of the Month
- 15× NBA Player of the Week
- 1× NBA Sporting News Most Valuable Player of the Year
- 1× Olympic Appearance
- 14× NBA All-Star
- 1× NBA Champion
Detlef Schrempf
NBA Ranking: #129
Though Schrempf played in the ’80s and ’90s, his versatility and ability to be skillful in many roles opened the way for other German players in the NBA.
He was popular for his scrappy defense, precise passing, and adept scoring. His success in the NBA and his multifaceted game nature made him a trailblazer for other European NBA players and German NBA players, solidifying his place as a trendsetter for German basketball.
Detlef Schrempf stats show he’s the first player from Europe to play in the All-Star game — the records keep piling.
Some of his best seasons were in his adoptive hometown of Seattle, where he ended his career with the Portland Trail Blazers.
During his 16 seasons, he averaged 6.2 rebounds per game and 13.9 points.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× All-NBA
- 1× NBA Player of the Month
- 2× NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- 1× Olympic Appearance
- 3× NBA All-Star
Moritz Wagner
NBA Ranking: #1353
Wagner entered the 2017 NBA draft without an agent but later withdrew.
The Los Angeles Lakers picked him 35th overall in the 2018 NBA draft, and the media and coach selected him among the 2018 All-Big Ten selections.
While there’s not much frenzy about his career in the NBA, Moritz Wagner is making a good name for himself, his team—Orlando Magic—and the fans.
Franz Wagner, his younger brother and teammate, also plays alongside him as a small forward for the Orlando Magic.
Achievements/Resumé:
- No Awards Received As Of Yet
Dennis Schröder
NBA Ranking: #339
Schröder is one of the best Germans to play in the NBA.
Although he got going within a few years, he later became a regular starter for the Hawks and earned himself a lucrative contract extension.
He averaged a career-high of 19.4 points per game in the 2017 to 2018 campaign before he left for Oklahoma City and then the Lakers, where he is still a valuable player with years ahead of him.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× NBA Player of the Week
Shawn Bradley
NBA Ranking: #694
7 ‘6″ Shawn Bradley is imposing in the paint and has been a prolific shot blocker throughout his NBA career.
With his formidable height, presence, and wingspan, he can dominate the defense and change the trajectories of many shots, stopping his opponents from scoring and gaining offensive opportunities.
In the 1996 to 1997 seasons, he led the NBA with four blocks per game and played 12 NBA seasons, averaging eight points and 2.5 blocks per game.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× All-Defensive Team
- 1× All-Rookie Team
Conclusion
If you didn’t already know, you should have in mind that the pro league has some of the finest German basketball players in the NBA.
From sharp-shooting guards to imposing men, these players have left their mark on the league.
Germany has come a long way as a basketball nation, and now they can regularly send players to the NBA. Some of these players have gone on to become top-tier talents.
FAQs
Is there a German NBA player?
Yes, Germany has several NBA players. Though Germany isn’t the first country many think of when discussing international basketball, it has its fair share of gritty, and talented teams that have the potential to put up the best matchups in the NBA world.
How many NBA players are on the German team?
Currently, four NBA players are on the 2024 German Olympic basketball team: Moritz Wagner, plays for the Orlando Magic; Dennis Schroder, plays for the Brooklyn Nets; Franz Wagner, plays for the Orlando Magic; and Daniel Theis, plays for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Who is the German NBA star?
Dirk Nowitzki, a former professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks who now serves as the team’s special advisor, is regarded as a German NBA star. He was born in 1978 in West Germany to two athlete parents, a professional handball player father, and a professional basketball player mother.
Who was the first German NBA player?
Detlef Schrempf is the first German player to play in the NBA. He played from 1985 to 2001 and was drafted as the 8th overall pick in the first round of the 1985 NBA draft.
Who are the German brothers in the NBA?
In the NBA, the German brothers are the Wagner brothers, Moritz Wagner and Franz Wagner. They both play for Orlando Magic, with Moritz beginning his career in 2017 and his brother in 2021.
