Beginning in the ’70s, Australia has since become quite a hotspot for budding basketball talents.
While the passion for the game is glaring in the eyes of these young stars, the Aussies haven’t won a medal at the Olympics.
In a way, you could say that they aren’t quite at the level of most U.S. and some European countries’ players. However, the Aussies have sent a fair number of top players to the NBA.
At the very least, Aussie players in the NBA contribute enough to warrant a list of who are the best Australian NBA players.
With a good number of players making their mark and excelling in the NBA, let’s explore the best Australians to play in the world’s biggest basketball league.
Patty Mills
NBA Ranking: #567
Born and raised in Canberra, Patty Mills is pretty much regarded as one of the greatest Australian basketballers of all time.
His NBA career has spanned over 13 seasons (and counting).
In the course of his pro career, he played for many teams, such as the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks, and he currently plays for the Miami Heat.
When he was at the San Antonio Spurs, he won the Most Valuable Player award from the bench, as he played a major role in the team’s 2014 NBA championship victory.
His fondness for electrifying the court, draining timely shots, and being a role player and three-point shooter earned him a special place in the hearts of basketball fans around the globe.
He remains one of the notable NBA players from overseas.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 2× Olympic Appearance
- 1× NBA Champion
Luc Longley
NBA Ranking: #1117
What’s a list without acclaiming the status of the first Australian to ever play in the NBA?
Luc Longley cemented his status as the pioneer of Australian professional basketball’s entry into the NBA. In the 1990s, he was a major contributor to the Chicago Bulls and played an active role in their three-peat championship run.
Longley’s combination of court intelligence, skill, and size opened the way for future generations of Australian talents in the NBA.
His league longevity and three NBA titles alone make him worthy of being on this list. Though he was a role player, he was a starter for most of his career.
During his playing days, he averaged more than seven points and about five rebounds per game in over ten NBA seasons. Pretty much an incredibly solid career that many players would love to have.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 3× Olympic Appearance
- 3× NBA Champion
Joe Ingles
NBA Ranking: #828
The great journeyman Joe Ingles is currently on his fourth team, and there’s been a trail of success around him.
In about six seasons, he has become the Jazz’s all-time leader in three-point field goals. An immense accomplishment for a player who has been a huge part of Utah’s success in recent years.
There’s more!
In multiple seasons, Joe Ingles averaged double figures and also averaged above five assists per game for the Jazz, showing that he has more to him than being a shooter.
Achievements/Resumé:
- No Awards Received As Of Yet
Andrew Bogut
NBA Ranking: #685
Throughout his 14 years as one of the Australian NBA players playing in the big league, Andrew Bogut has achieved a lot.
He’s the first Australian number-one pick and a smart defensive center. In fact, it’s fair to say he was instrumental in the Warriors team’s 2015 title win.
His immense game understanding and talent for reading the play pushed him to rank among the top passers of his generation.
To say nothing of his finishing ability, rim protection, and defense would be a disservice to his career.
However, Andrew Bogut’s career was cut short due to injuries after his tenure at the Warriors, which denied him more success.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× All-Defensive Team
- 1× All-NBA
- 1× All-Rookie Team
- 1× NBA Player of the Week
- 1× NBA Rookie of the Month
- 2× Olympic Appearance
- 1× NBA Champion
Ben Simmons
NBA Ranking: #983
An all-around player on the court and a point forward, Ben Simmons’s high basketball IQ, defensive prowess, and exceptional passing ability allowed him to leave his mark in the NBA.
He set the bar high for the future best Australian basketball players who intend to play in the biggest league.
However, his journey wasn’t all smooth.
Simmons did get off to a late start after he missed his rookie season because of an injury. But, besides the early career days, his other seasons were phenomenal.
His part power forward and part point guard made him a threat at both ends of the court.
He was named Rookie of the Year and made two all-defensive first teams and three all-star teams.
After three consecutive all-star years, things went south in 2021. This was brought about by a combination of injuries, prolonged speculations about his mental state, and contract impasses.
Achievements/Resumé:
- 1× All-Rookie Team
- 2× All-Defensive Team
- 1× All-NBA
- 3× NBA Player of the Week
- 4× NBA Rookie of the Month
- 1× NBA Rookie of the Year
- 3× NBA All-Star
Conclusion
United States-born athletes no longer dominate the NBA. While argumentative, the league’s talent pool has become somewhat diverse.
A growing number of Australian NBA players and other international players are dominating the league by the year, with the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic as MVP winners.
Australia is also one of these non-American countries producing top-notch NBA talent and has been doing so for more than three decades.
So, if you’re that young Aussie with a dream to play pro, Patty Mills might be a good model to look up to.
FAQs
How many NBA players are from Australia?
On October 25, 2024, there are 14 NBA players from Australia, with 11 players holding full-time roster slots and three players holding two-way deals.
What do Aussies play in the NBA?
Patty Mills plays as a point guard, Joe Ingles is a small forward and shooting guard, Danté Exum is a shooting/point guard, and Ben Simmons is a point guard/power forward.
Who are the Australians in the NBA in 2024?
Australians in the NBA include Ben Simmons, Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum, Patty Mills, Johnny Furphy, Dyson Daniels, Joe Ingles, and Kyrie Irvins.
What Australians have won an NBA championship?
They include Luc Longley (1996, 1997, 1998), Andrew Gaze (1999), Patty Mills and Aron Baynes (2014), Andrew Bogut (2015), Matthew Dellavedova (2016), and Jack White (2023).
Is the NBA popular in Australia?
Yes, the NBA is popular in Australia. It’s the top country outside the United States for NBA League Pass Viewership, subscriptions, and watch hours.
