The NBA has been a global league for a long time now. There have been star athletes from Europe and beyond making a name for themselves in the world’s best basketball league for decades. If you needed any further proof of the diversity of the NBA, there hasn’t been an American MVP since 2018.
Arguably the biggest name in the NBA right now is Victor Wembanyama, a French athlete who is changing the way that people think the game can be played. The global impact on the league has been undeniable, and there is a good chance that if you wanted to read the latest BetNow review to check out its NBA coverage, it would be because a European baller had given you the confidence to back his team.
Every year, there is another influx of global stars to the NBA, with a record 18 Europeans drafted in 2003. There weren’t quite as many this year, but the 11 who were are sure to have an impact on the league in the years to come. Here are some of the standout European names taken in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Aday Mara, Spain
At 7ft 3, Aday Mara is going to be unmissable in the NBA in the years to come, and might be able to provide the Oklahoma City Thunder with some extra options at center after being taken 12th overall in the 2026 draft. The Clippers were originally set to take the Spaniard, but the Thunder acquired the pick as part of the 2019 trade that sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to OKC.
Mara will go into a roster stacked full of talent, so he may have to learn the ropes of the big league before becoming a regular starter. His performances at college level suggest that he has what it takes, however. After transferring from UCLA, Mara won a national championship with Michigan and was named to the All-Final Four Tournament Team.
Hannes Steinbach, Germany
Germany enjoyed another excellent NBA Draft this year, with Hannes Steinbach as his nation’s highest pick at 14th overall. Playing at either power forward or center, Steinbach completed a season in the German Bundesliga before moving to the US to play college hoops at Washington. After just a year in the NCAA, he made himself eligible for the draft.
Charlotte failed to make the playoffs for the tenth season in a row, so it makes sense that the Hornets might look to add some depth to a roster that seems to be on an upward trend. There are some other athletes who may be in front of Steinbach when it comes to starting, but his three-point ability and rebounding skill could be crucial when and if starters pick up injuries.
Christian Anderson Jr., Germany
Why pick one German international in the draft when you can take two? The Hornets followed up Steinbach just four picks later with his international teammate, Christian Anderson Jr. He was actually born in Atlanta, Georgia, but plays as a German-American after his father played professional hoops in Europe.
After initially committing to Michigan, Anderson Jr. ended up at Texas Tech and played one season as a Raider, getting named to the Big 12 Conference all-freshman team in the process. He declared himself eligible for the draft and could now play a vital role in the depth of a Hornets team looking to make the postseason next year.
Sergio de Larrea, Spain
Only 20 years old, Sergio de Larrea already has extensive experience in professional basketball, having played for Valencia since 2021. The Spanish guard had already turned down multiple offers to play college basketball in the US before winning a championship in his home country last season and declaring himself eligible for the 2026 draft.
Draft night got a little busy for this excellent three-point shooter. He was originally selected 25th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to the New York Knicks. It soon became clear that he wouldn’t appear at the Garden, though, and there was some concern that he would have to return to EuroLeague before the Dallas Mavericks came in for him to add to their interesting-looking roster for 2026-27.
Baba Miller, Spain
Although there were athletes selected from other European countries, such as Estonia, Russia, and France, in the 2026 NBA Draft, it was really Spain and Germany’s night, as Baba Miller went to the LA Clippers with one of the first few picks in the second round. The Clippers received the pick from Memphis, via Utah and Atlanta.
Miller began his senior career at Real Madrid when he was just 17, before moving to the US to play college basketball. The small forward played for three schools in three years, starting at Florida State, before moving to Florida Atlantic, and finally to Cincinnati. It was as a Bearcat that Miller really impressed, and now he will be hoping to play a part in a Clippers revival after they exited at the play-in stage last season.
Jack Kayal, Germany
There could be some really good young German talent in the NBA next season, as Jack Kayal joined Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr. in being selected in the draft. Born in the German capital, Kayal helped his local team Alba Berlin win the title last season and was named the Best Young Player in both the Bundesliga and the FIBA Champions League.
Kayal had originally committed to play college hoops at Gonzaga next season, but then decided to declare himself eligible for the draft. The Houston Rockets selected him with the 39th pick, and he was immediately traded to the New York Knicks. As a point guard, it is unlikely he will see much game time to begin with, but he will be learning from one of the greats in Jalen Brunson this year.
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