Ball So Hard: Global Impact Player

International Flavor.

International Flavor - As of October 2014, the NBA has 101 international players from 37 countries represented throughout several of its teams' rosters. Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, the Australian-born Kyrie Irving and Tony Parker are the best international players who have broadened the NBA's reach.(Photos from Left: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images, Chris Chambers/Getty Images) 

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International Flavor - As of October 2014, the NBA has 101 international players from 37 countries represented throughout several of its teams' rosters. Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, the Australian-born Kyrie Irving and Tony Parker are the best international players who have broadened the NBA's reach.(Photos from Left: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images, Chris Chambers/Getty Images) 

Pau Gasol - Pau Gasol started playing for his hometown FC Barcelona (Spain) when he was only 18. He translated that early experience into being a polished NBA veteran, one who has two league titles and five All-Star Game selections to his name. And he still balls for the Spanish national team when he gets the chance. (Photos from Left: David Ramos/Getty Images, Tannen Maury/EPA/Landov)

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Pau Gasol - Pau Gasol started playing for his hometown FC Barcelona (Spain) when he was only 18. He translated that early experience into being a polished NBA veteran, one who has two league titles and five All-Star Game selections to his name. And he still balls for the Spanish national team when he gets the chance. (Photos from Left: David Ramos/Getty Images, Tannen Maury/EPA/Landov)

Kyrie Irving - Having played for Duke before becoming a three-time All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving has had quite the worldly young life. How? Well, the star point guard was actually born in Australia and won the MVP of the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball tournament.(Photos from Left: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Kyrie Irving - Having played for Duke before becoming a three-time All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving has had quite the worldly young life. How? Well, the star point guard was actually born in Australia and won the MVP of the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball tournament.(Photos from Left: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Dirk Nowitzki - Fans tend to forget that Dirk Nowitzki was very much a project and work in progress, coming to the NBA in 1998 from his native West Germany. But 17 years later and the Dallas Mavericks power forward is one of the best-shooting bigs the league has ever seen and seventh all-time on the NBA's scoring list as a future lock to make the Hall of Fame.(Photos from Left: Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images, Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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Dirk Nowitzki - Fans tend to forget that Dirk Nowitzki was very much a project and work in progress, coming to the NBA in 1998 from his native West Germany. But 17 years later and the Dallas Mavericks power forward is one of the best-shooting bigs the league has ever seen and seventh all-time on the NBA's scoring list as a future lock to make the Hall of Fame.(Photos from Left: Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images, Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Tony Parker - Think the San Antonio Spurs knew what they were doing, selecting Tony Parker from France with the 28th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft? Absolutely. Parker, who began playing professionally in Paris at the age of 17, hasn't left any stones unturned in the NBA, winning four titles, a Finals MVP and making six All-Star Games.(Photos from Left: Jaques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images), Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Tony Parker - Think the San Antonio Spurs knew what they were doing, selecting Tony Parker from France with the 28th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft? Absolutely. Parker, who began playing professionally in Paris at the age of 17, hasn't left any stones unturned in the NBA, winning four titles, a Finals MVP and making six All-Star Games.(Photos from Left: Jaques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images), Al Bello/Getty Images)