EUROBASKET

Who are the US-born players competing for European national teams at the FIBA Eurobasket?

The Eurobasket features some of the biggest stars in the NBA who are European, but there are also US-born players who are now playing for other countries.

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The Eurobasket is well into its first week of action, and many eyes have been riveted on the NBA superstars that are representing their respective countries, such as reigning MVP Nikola Jokic (Serbia), 2019 Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic (Slovenia), and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece).

However, there are some players who were born in the United States but are now representing other countries in Europe by way of naturalization.

Shane Larkin (Turkey)

Shane Larkin was a first round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, selected 18th overall by the Atlanta Hawks, who traded him to the Dallas Mavericks later that night. After a rookie year with the Mavs, he was traded to the New York Knicks, then he signed on with the Brooklyn Nets, and finally had a short stint with the Boston Celtics. In 2018 he signed on with the Anadolu Efes of Turkey, and he has played with them since. Larkin received Turkish citizenship in 2020 and is now a member of the Turkish national team.

Lorenzo Brown (Spain)

Lorenzo Brown was chosen as the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2013 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has also signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns, and the Toronto Raptors. After jumping from one international team to another, he will represent Spain at Eurobasket 2022 after being granted express Spanish citizenship.

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Tyler Dorsey (Greece)

Tyler Dorsey was 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2017 draft, joining the Atlanta Hawks, with whom he played until 2019. He then had a short stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, and joined several teams after that. In July this year, he signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Dorsey has played with the Greek national basketball team in the past, and he will be joining them and Giannis again for Eurobasket 2022.

There are other American-born players in the tournament who joined the NBA Draft but ended up undrafted. These athletes have found more success playing in Europe, and some of them have truly found homes on the other side of the Atlantic.

Here is the list of US-born players participating in Eurobasket 2022.

COUNTRYPLAYERNBA DRAFT
BosniaJohn Roberson2011-Undrafted
BulgariaDee Bost2012-Undrafted
CroatiaJaleen Smith2017-Undrafted
GeorgiaThad McFadden2009-Undrafted
GermanyNick Weiler-Babb2019-Undrafted
GreeceTyler Dorsey2017-Round 2/41st overall
ItalyJohn Petrucelli2014-Undrafted
MontenegroKendrick Perry2014-Undrafted
PolandA.J. Slaughter2010-Undrafted
SloveniaMike Tobey2016-Undrafted
SpainLorenzo Brown2013-Round 2/52nd overall
TurkeyShane Larkin2013-Round 1/18th overall

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