By Giannis Giannarakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 69th NBA All Star Game is just around the corner. Eurohoops presents the 21 players from Europe that have earned the All Star nod from 1993 and Detlef Schrempf to the record-breaking five-man field of 2020.
International impact posed on the NBA includes European stars making waves in the league. The 2020 All Star Game features five Europeans, among them one of the two captains, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It’s been 27 years since the first European All Star berth with Detlef Schrempf. Since 20 more players followed in his footsteps. Thirteen countries have been represented, France and Serbia share the lead with the most players, three apiece.
Detlef Schrempf (Germany)
3-time All Star: 1993 (Indiana Pacers), 1995 and 1997 (Seattle Supersonics)
The German forward may not have been the most popular NBA player, but was instrumental for the European movement. Way ahead of Sarunas Marciulionis, Drazen Petrovic, Vlade Divac and Stojko Vrankovic, Schrempf was playing in the NBA from 1985, was the first European and third international All Star following Hakeem Olajuwon and Rolando Blackman.
Rik Smits (Netherlands)
One-time All Star: 1998 (Indiana Pacers)
Basketball isn’t the top sport of Netherlands, but produced Smits. He made his way through 12 NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers that picked him second in 1998 draft. The Eindhoven-born center’s success brought him to the 1998 All Star Game that was held in New York.
Vlade Divac (Serbia)
One-time All Star: 2001 (Sacramento Kings)
Made it to the 2001 All Star as an injury replacement for Shaquille O’Neal. Nevertheless, Divac deserved his spot and was rightfully rewarded towards the end of his lengthy career overseas. He became the first All Star from the Balkan region.
Starred in a memorable play, but not for the best reasons.
Peja Stojakovic (Serbia)
3-time All Star: 2002, 2003, 2004 (Sacramento Kings)
Nearly a decade before being crowned NBA champion, Stojakovic launched his three-year All Star Game run. His streak set the former European record. However, his 2002 and 2003 three-point contest appearances pop up first for most fans.
Dirk Nowitzki (Germany)
14-time All Star: 2002 ,2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019 (Dallas Mavericks)
Here is the European record with 11 All Star Games in a row.
The Dallas Mavericks legend and 2011 NBA champion is considered the top European player. He played in 14 All Star Games and was named in 12 All-NBA teams, also claimed MVP honors in 2007. His list of accomplishments goes on.
Andrei Kirilenko (Russia)
One-time All Star: 2004 (Utah Jazz)
The top Russian product after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, AK-47 was certainly a special player that might have deserved more All Star Game nods. Aside representing the Utah Jazz in the 2004 All Star Game, was included in All-Defensive Teams of 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Lithuania)
Two-time All Star: 2003, 2005 (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Many great players were born in Lithuania, but until this year only one representative of the country competed in the All Star Game. He wasn’t Arvydas Sabonis. Most fans might remember Ilgauskas as the tall guy beside LeBron James, but was a player that effectively used his enormous body to his advantage.
Tony Parker (France)
Six-time All-Star: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 (San Antonio Spurs)
The famous French player is among the Europeans with the most NBA achievements. Parker was a big part of the San Antonio Spurs success in recent decades. His six All Star Games fail to compare with the four championship runs masterminded by the 2007 Finals MVP. His No. 9 is retired.
Pau Gasol (Spain)
Six-time All-Star: 2006 (Memphis Grizzlies), 2009, 2010, 2011 (Los Angeles Lakers) – 2015, 2016 (Chicago Bulls)
Captured a couple of NBA championships alongside Kobe Bryant and is second behind Tony Parker in the list of European with the most games player. Additionally, Gasol is the only European that represented three different NBA teams at the All Star Game level.
Mehmet Okur (Turkey)
One-time All Star: 2007 (Utah Jazz)
Filling in for injured Steve Nash in 2007 made out Okur’s single All Star Game appearance of his career. The Money Man potentially deserved heavier consideration, especially when taking into account that his NBA career average is over 13 points per contest.
Luol Deng (Great Britain)
Two-time All Star: 2012, 2013 (Chicago Bulls)
The only British appearances in NBA All Star Games come in the form of Deng. Born in Sudan, now South Sudan, raised and Egypt and Great Britain, he used his challenging upbringing as extra motivation at the highest level. Enjoyed the rewards of his effort with two straight All Star nods.
Marc Gasol (Spain)
Three-time All Star: 2012, 2015, 2017 (Memphis Grizzlies)
Initially tabbed as Pau’s brother, made a name for himself with one NBA championship run, and three All Star Game berths alongside 2013 Best Defensive Player of the Year award. His 2015 All Star Game appearance marked the first brother vs. brother matchup.
When the Gasol brothers faced off to start the 2015 ASG ❤ pic.twitter.com/SpIPphb1pN
— SLAM Rewind (@SLAMRewind) June 15, 2019
Joakim Noah (France)
Two-time All Star: 2013, 2014 (Chicago Bulls)
Back when Noah was considered a defensive force in the NBA, he clinched a couple of All Star Game appearances. Closed out his solid run in 2014 with the Defensive Player of the Year award and All-NBA First Team honors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
Four-time All Star: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (Milwaukee Bucks)
The only Greek of the list.
The Greek Freak evolving into an NBA superstar was proven to the point when he was named 2020 MVP. He is set for his fourth consecutive All Star Game, his third as a starter and second as a captain. We have come to expect a Team Giannis.
Goran Dragic (Slovenia)
One-time All Star: 2018 (Miami Heat)
The Dragon paved the way for Luka Doncic as the first Slovenian in the NBA All Star Game. A few months after helping his country land first place in the 2017 EuroBasket, he earned a spot in the 2018 All Star Game, ten years after entering the league with the Phoenix Suns.
Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia)
One-time All Star: 2018 (New York Knicks)
Never got to actually play in the 2018 All Star Game due to his knee injury, but was named as a reserve for the contest between Team LeBron and Team Stephen. He earned the nod with 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per appearance up to his season-ending injury.