By Stelios Toromanidis / info@eurohoops.net
One can see from statistical records that all the teams of the EuroLeague draw more than 50% of their offensive output from basketball players of a different nationality. In fact, five of the 16 participants are almost fully dependent on non-native players, since they score more than 90% of total points, while they also get the greater portion of playing time.
Some years ago, one would notice only two or three foreign players on the rosters of organizations. Now, times have changed and, as a result, in some cases, the tables have turned completely. To be more specific, there is a team in the competition that has only two native players, one of whom was born in another country, while several rosters have “local” players in a more “decorative” role.
The teams that stand out for fulfilling the above characteristics are found in Spain, Turkey, Russia and Israel, as opposed to countries like Greece, Serbia and Lithuania, whose organizations rely more heavily on local players.
Through tables and useful data, Eurohoops showcases the team that trusts “domestic products” the most.
But let’s begin the countdown by starting with the teams that are getting the less “help” in scoring from “local” basketball players.
16. Anadolu Efes
Games: 22
Total of players with playing time in the EuroLeague: 18
Total of native players: 6
Total of foreign players: 12
Percentage of points from native and foreign players:
| Points | Native players’ points | % | Foreign players’ points | % |
| 1708 | 28 | 1,6% | 1680 | 98,4% |
Percentage of playing time of native and foreign players:
| Total | Natives | % | Foreigners | % |
| 4400 | 297 | 6,8% | 4103 | 93,3% |
Efes isn’t doing well at all in the EuroLeague this season, since so far they occupy the last position in the standings. One of the reasons for this is perhaps the lack of good Turkish players from Ergin Ataman’s team.
Aside from Balbay and Batuk, the other four native players are young and cannot offer quality minutes and so Efes relies almost exclusively on the foreign players on the roster.
The biggest contribution in the Turks’ game comes from the Americans Dunston and McCollum, who is debuting in the competition this season at the age of 32.
15. Baskonia
Games: 22
Total of players with playing time in the EuroLeague: 16
Total of native players: 2
Total of foreign players: 14
Percentage of points from native and foreign players:
| Total | Natives | % | Foreigners | % |
| 1798 | 50 | 2,8% | 1748 | 91,2% |
Percentage of playing time of native and foreign players:
| Total | Natives | % | Foreigners | % |
| 4400 | 130 | 3% | 4270 | 97% |
For years now, Baskonia, with Jose Antonio Querejeta as their president, have been relying on excellent foreign players who are chosen to shape the roster. The Spanish element is almost nonexistent, with this season not being an exception.
Only two native players are amongst the Basques’ choices and one of them is Diop, who, even though born in Senegal, has a Spanish passport.
Inevitably, the offensive output comes more from the foreign players, with the highest percentages coming from Shengelia (Georgia) and Beaubois (France).
Games: 22
Total of players with playing time in the EuroLeague: 16
Total of native players: 5
Total of foreign players: 11
Percentage of points from native and foreign players:
| Total | Natives | % | Foreigners | % |
| 1808 | 91 | 5% | 1717 | 95% |
Percentage of playing time of native and foreign players:
| Total | Natives | % | Foreigners | % |
| 4475 | 307 | 6,9% | 4168 | 93,1% |
With the best Italian players competing either in the NBA or other European leagues, Milan prefers foreign players as first fiddles for the team, with the few native players having complementary roles.
In contrast to Baskonia, this model isn’t working well for the famous designer’s team, since the two-time European champions (1987, 1988) are constantly cutting their journey short very early in the season and don’t measure up to their high budget nor their fans’ high expectations.
This season, headlining the offense are the Americans Goudelock and Theodore, but Milan are in the bottom positions of the standings
13. Maccabi
Games: 22
Total of players with playing time in the EuroLeague: 13
Total of native players: 5
Total of foreign players: 8
Percentage of points from native and foreign players:
| Total | Natives | % | Foreigners | % |
| 1809 | 141 | 7,8% | 1668 | 92,2% |
Percentage of playing time of native and foreign players:
| Total | Natives | % | Foreingers | % |
| 4400 | 590 | 13,4% | 3810 | 86,6% |
Maccabi have been established in the minds of European basketball fans as a team “Made in the USA,” in combination with other experienced foreign players and a few top native ones who usually do not come forward though.
At times, usually in the past, this model was very effective and brought the Israelis titles, but in recent years Maccabi’s course has not been especially successful.
This season, they have been making an earnest effort to get themselves in the playoffs and fight for their chances to return to the Final Four, and the ones leading this effort are Cole and Jackson, who come from the other side of the Atlantic and specifically the USA.