10 Years of NBA Insights on International vs. American Player Skills

Harry Sadoun Sports Betting Expert

1 minute read

We conducted an analysis of NBA rookie drafts over the past decade, from 2013 to 2023, to determine whether international or American players perform better throughout their careers. Our study included a total of 828 American players and 244 international players.

Although American players significantly outnumber their international counterparts, we've normalized the data to fairly compare their performance. American players have collectively played 119,081 games, nearly three times the 41,041 games played by international players. Despite this disparity, normalizing the data allows for an accurate comparison of performance.While you can't place bets on American and International players' performances based on our study's findings—which include statistics like points, rebounds, assists, blocked shots and more—you can still take part in the NBA Finals experience. Be sure to check out the Bet365 Bonus Code and the BetMGM Bonus Code for the best offers.

Overseas & Overachievers

Since 2013, both international and American NBA players have collectively scored a total of 1.5 million points. When normalized by the number of games played, international players have shown a higher average points per game. International players have averaged 9.97 points per game over the last ten years, compared to the 9.46 points per game averaged by American players. International players scored about 1.06 times more points per game on average than their American counterparts. Despite this, American players have a collective higher total of points, scoring 1,120,851 points versus the 408,773 points scored by international players over the past decade. This discrepancy is largely due to the significantly higher number of games played by American players (119,081 games) compared to international players (41,041 games).

Devin Booker from Michigan scored the highest points on the American side with 14,529 points over 598 games, averaging about 24.3 points per game. On the international front, Giannis Antetokounmpo from Athens, Greece, scored 18,502 points in 792 games, averaging about 23.4 points per game.

Rebounds: France Vs. New Jersey Native

Over the past decade, international and American players drafted into the NBA have collected an impressive 623,087 rebounds. International players have averaged 778 rebounds, whereas their American counterparts have only managed an average of 524 rebounds making it about 254 rebound difference in favor of the international players. International players have participated in 41,041 games, while American players have taken the court in 119,081 games. When we normalize the data to account for these differences, we get an average of 15.18 rebounds per game for international players and 5.23 rebounds per game for American players.

Among the standout performers since 2013, Karl-Anthony Towns, hailing from New Jersey, has amassed 6,216 rebounds. On the international front, France's Rudy Gobert leads with 8,915 rebounds. In terms of rebounds per game, Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 6,216 rebounds over 573 games, equating to approximately 10.85 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert has averaged 8,915 rebounds over 757 games, resulting in about 11.78 rebounds per game.

Assists: Serbia vs.Texas Native

International players  drafted since 2013 have contributed 82,408 assists, while American players have a total of 246,761 assists. Collectively, these players have achieved a  total of 329,169 assists. The average number of assists for American players drafted since 2013 stands at 298, whereas international players average 339 assists. International players have participated in 41,041 games, while American players have played 119,081 games, international players average about 2.01 assists per game, while American players slightly edge out with 2.07 assists per game. This minor difference suggests that, on average, American players have marginally higher assists per game compared to international players indicating that American players might be better at creating opportunities for their teammates to score.

Leading the charts for American players, Trae Young from Texas has 3,868 assists out of the 2013 rookies. In comparison, Serbia's Nikola Jokić leads international players with 4,667 assists. This difference of 799 assists means Jokić has approximately 20.66% more assists than Young.

International Players Face More Blocks

On average, international NBA players drafted between 2013 and 2023 have about 90 blocks, whereas their American counterparts face roughly 58 blocks, showing that international players experience approximately 1.5 times more blocks. Looking specifically at the game statistics since 2013, international newcomers have played a total of 41,041 games and received 21,908 blocks, translating to roughly 0.53 blocks per game. In contrast, American players have encountered 48,276 blocks across 119,081 games, resulting in approximately 0.41 blocks per game.

Rudy Gobert from France among the international rookies since 2013 leads with 1,614 blocks, while Myles Turner from Texas holds the record among American rookies since 2013 with 1,268 blocks. Gobert's total is approximately 27.36% higher than Turner's, highlighting his dominance in shot-blocking compared to his American counterparts.

Methodology

We used data from Basketball-Reference.com to determine the stats and averages for each player. We referenced Wikipedia to identify the origins of each rookie drafted between 2013 and 2023. By comparing these players' performance in various metrics such as points, assists, blocks, and more, we gained insights into their contributions. You can access the full dataset [HERE].

Harry Sadoun

Harry Sadoun is a seasoned sports betting expert with a wealth of experience in the iGaming and sports betting industry. Over the past 5 years, he has established himself as a go-to source for insightful analysis and predictions at Vegasinsider. With a passion for sports, Harry specializes in football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and soccer, showcasing a diverse understanding of athletic competitions. Harry's unique approach to sports betting is rooted in a combination of statistical analysis, in-depth research, and a keen understanding of the dynamics that influence game outcomes. His expert opinions and strategic insights have made him a trusted voice in the industry, guiding both novice and seasoned bettors alike. With an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information, Harry Sadoun continues to be a prominent figure in the world of sports betting, providing enthusiasts with the tools they need to make informed decisions. More from Harry Sadoun