The NBA is naturally dominated by North American players, as basketball was invented in the U.S., and all teams are based in the U.S. and Canada. However, the sport quickly spread internationally after its invention in 1891. Canada was the first country outside the U.S. to embrace basketball, followed by France, England, and several other nations by 1900.
Today, players from around the world, including Australia, make their mark in the NBA. Over the years, many Australians have excelled in the league. Let's explore the history of Aussies in the NBA.
Note that all stats are as of February 23, 2025.
Current Australian NBA Players - Top 10
| Player | Current Team | Place of Birth | Points per Game (PTS) | Rebounds per Game (REB) | Assists per Game (AST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patty Mills | Los Angeles Clippers | Canberra, Australia | 6.8 | 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Josh Giddey | Chicago Bulls | Melbourne, Australia | 14.3 | 7.9 | 6.2 |
| Duop Reath | Portland Trail Blazers | Waat, South Sudan | 11.8 | 7.9 | 2.1 |
| Josh Green | Charlotte Hornets | Sydney, Australia | 9.1 | 3 | 1.7 |
| Dante Exum | Toronto Raptors | Melbourne, Australia | 8.9 | 3.5 | 2.2 |
| Ben Simmons | Brooklyn Nets | Melbourne, Australia | 7.5 | 6.3 | 6.1 |
| Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks | Bendigo, Australia | 6 | 3.2 | 5 |
| Matisse Thybulle | Portland Trail Blazers | Scottsdale, Arizona, USA | 6.8 | 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Joe Ingles | Minnesota Timberwolves | Adelaide, Australia | 6.8 | 2.5 | 3.3 |
| Jock Landale | Houston Rockets | Melbourne, Australia | 6.8 | 4.1 | 1.3 |
| Johnny Furphy | Indiana Pacers | Melbourne, Australia | 5.2 | 2.1 | 1 |
| Alex Ducas | Oklahoma City Thunder | Geraldton, Australia | 4.5 | 1.8 | 0.9 |
| Jack McVeigh | Houston Rockets | Cabarita Beach, Australia | 3.8 | 1.5 | 0.7 |
| Taran Armstrong | Golden State Warriors | Burnie, Australia | 3.2 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
Right now could actually be a pivotal time for Australians in the NBA; the Aussie heat hasn’t hit its stride yet as American, Canadian, and French players dominate the rosters. But Australia is at France’s heels in terms of the total number of players in the NBA (France has 47, including 7 foreign-born players, and Australia has 33, also including 7 foreign-born players).
The 2023-2024 season has proven rather fruitful for Aussie pride in the NBA! While no new Aussie talent was signed this year, the existing players have been showing that Australians can ball!
There are 11 Australian NBA players currently competing in the league. Here are the top 10 to look out for in the 2023-2024 season and the stats to back it up.
1. Patty Mills
Born and raised in Canberra, Patty Mills is widely regarded as one of the greatest Australian basketball players of all time, with an NBA career spanning over 13 seasons and counting.
Throughout his career, he has played for several teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers (2009–2011), San Antonio Spurs (2011–2021), Brooklyn Nets (2021–2023), Atlanta Hawks (2023–2024), Miami Heat (2024-2025), and is currently a member of the Los Angeles Clippers (2025–present).
During his time with the San Antonio Spurs, Patty Mills emerged as a valuable player off the bench, playing a key role in the team's 2014 NBA Championship victory.
In 2021, he made history by leading the Australian Boomers to their first-ever Olympic medal, securing bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
2. Josh Giddey
A recent addition to the NBA, Josh Giddey was drafted in 2021 by the Oklahoma City Thunder after showcasing his playmaking prowess during a season with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's NBL. He quickly made headlines in the league, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double at just 19 years and 84 days old.
In June 2024, Giddey was traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he has continued to evolve as a versatile guard. This season, he's become a key playmaker for the Bulls, contributing significantly in assists and rebounds while improving his perimeter shooting. Giddey’s court vision and basketball IQ have made him an essential piece in Chicago’s push for a playoff berth, earning praise for his leadership and maturity beyond his years.
3. Duop Reath
Although he was undrafted in 2018 when he declared himself eligible for the NBA, he joined the Dallas Mavericks summer league that same year as a free agent.
Afterwards, he also played for several different international teams, such as the Serbian FMP team Crvena Zvezda, the NBA Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and Portland Trail Blazers summer leagues, the NBL Illawarra Hawks, the Chinese Basketball Association team Qingdao Eagles, and the Al Riyadi Beirut team of Lebanon.
Finally, he debuted in the NBA regular season in 2023 for the Portland Trail Blazers and is currently signed with them. Furthermore, he is part of the Boomers, Australia's pro basketball team, and played in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Born in Sudan, he and his family moved to Australia when he was just 9 years old.
4. Josh Green
Sydney native Josh Green was drafted 18th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 2020 following a standout college career at the University of Arizona.
He is currently signed with the Charlotte Hornets (2024–present) after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks as part of a deal that sent P.J. Washington to the Dallas Mavericks.
Green has represented the Australian national team, playing in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
5. Dante Exum
Exum played high school basketball in Melbourne, Australia, before being selected 5th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2014 NBA Draft straight out of high school.
Despite multiple injuries to his shoulder, knee, and ankle throughout his NBA career, Exum is still considered a talented and athletic player with good size and defensive potential at 6'6" tall. He played for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023–2024 season but was traded to the Toronto Raptors in February 2025.
He has also represented the Australian national team, playing in the 2016 Olympics and the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
6. Ben Simmons
He was the 1st overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft and was quickly recognised as a great player, earning titles like NBA Rookie of the Year (2018) and 3x NBA All-Star (2020, 2021, 2022).
After clashing with the 76ers' management, he requested to be traded as was taken in by the Brooklyn Nets in 2022.
After struggling with injuries and personal issues that limited his play over several seasons, Simmons returned to action with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2024–2025 season. However, on limited minutes as he manages his recovery.
He also has a history of being a problematic player at practice and has accumulated a handful of fines for his behaviour, which the conflict with management may have driven.
If he ever comes back to play, hopefully, he can keep up his excellent on-court skills!
7. Dyson Daniels
The Victoria native started playing basketball at age seven. He played high school basketball in the United States, attended the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia and then played in Ignite, the NBA G League development team.
In the 2022 NBA Draft, Dyson Daniels was selected 8th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans, making him one of the highest-drafted Australian players in NBA history. In July 2024, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a multi-player deal.
Daniels has represented the Australian national basketball team, playing for them in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup and 2022 FIBA World Cup qualification tournaments.
8. Matisse Thybulle
Thybulle himself was born and raised in the United States, but since his mother is Australian, he is eligible to play for the Australian national basketball team (which he does!). He played for Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In the 2019 NBA Draft, Thybulle was selected 20th overall by the Boston Celtics but was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
In 2023, he joined the Portland Trail Blazers. In recognition of his strong defensive impact, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice, in 2021 and 2022.
9. Joe Ingles
Joe Ingles was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Utah Jazz in 2014 and has spent most of his entire NBA career with them.
He has earned recognition for his skills, being added to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2015) and reaching the NBA Playoffs six times (2015, 2017-2021).
He played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2022–23 season, spent the 2023–24 season with the Orlando Magic, and in July 2024, signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he currently plays.
Additionally, he is a member of the Boomers and has played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 FIBA World Championship, the 2012 London Olympics, the 2014 FIBA World Championship, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He is considered one of the best international players in the NBA.
10. Jock Landale
Hailing from Melbourne, Landale went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft but signed with the Atlanta Hawks for the 2018 NBA Summer League.
In 2019, he joined the NBL with Melbourne United and in 2021, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs and made his NBA debut.
Afterwards, he joined the Phoenix Suns for one season, and now plays for the Houston Rockets.
Internationally, Landale has represented the Australian national team.
He competed for Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where they won the bronze medal.
11. Johnny Furphy
Johnny Furphy hails from Melbourne and is one of the newest Australians in the NBA. He played a standout college basketball season with the Kansas Jayhawks (2023-2024).
In the 2024 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs selected him 35th overall. He was immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he currently plays.
He's known for his athleticism, shooting ability, and defensive hustle. Look for him as he's expected to make a big impact in the coming seasons.
12. Alex Ducas
Alex Ducas is from Geraldton, Western Australia, and one of the newest Australians to break into the NBA.
He's known for three-point shooting and defensive versatility. Following a standout college career at Saint Mary's College of California, he was picked up by the Oklahoma City Thunder on a two-way contract, despite going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft.
He's yet to debut for the Australian Boomers, but he is widely considered a future candidate for the team.
13. Jack McVeigh
Jack McVeigh was born in Cabarita Beach, New South Wales. After jumping from the NBL to the NBA, he's considered one of Australia's rising basketball stars.
He led the Tasmanian JackJumpers to their first-ever NBL Championship in 2024 and was the NBL Grand Final MVP.
He caught the attention of NBA scouts, and his size, shooting touch, and grit led to his signing a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets.
Likely, he'll soon represent the Boomers.
14. Taran Armstrong
Taran Armstrong is a talented point guard from Burnie, Tasmania. He's one of Australia's brightest basketball prospects and has played for California Baptist University before returning to Australia to play for the Cairns Taipins in the NBL.
In 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors, allowing him to play between the NBA roster and the team's G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors.
He's also represented Australia internationally at the junior levels and will probably soon become a senior team regular.
Honorable Mentions
Kyrie Irving
Playing for the Dallas Mavericks since 2023, Kyrie is one of the best players in the league. He was born in Melbourne to American-expat parents who had made their way to Oz for Kyrie's father's own basketball career with the Bulleen Boomers.
The family moved back to the US when Kyrie was just two years old. So, although he is an American in terms of time spent in the States, he is Aussie by birth and holds dual citizenship.
Irving joined the NBA in the draft in 2011 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He was even part of the United States national team, which competes in the Olympics, and helped earn gold in the 2016 Rio Games!
Jack White
Jack White has been in the NBA since 2022 after signing a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets. He's from Traralgon, Victoria, and played for Melbourne United in the NBL before the NBA.
As part of the Nuggets' broader squad during their 2023 NBA Championship run, he becomes the fifth Australian to win an NBA title.
He had brief stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics before signing a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2024.
After playing four games on a 10-day contract with Memphis in April 2024, White returned to Melbourne United on a two-year deal in May 2024. Following the 2024-25 NBL season, he signed with Bayern Munich in April 2025 to finish the European season.
Jaylin Galloway
Born in Australia, his family moved to the US when he was young. After high school, he moved back to Australia and began playing for the Sydney Kings in the NBL. Although he was undrafted in the 2022 NBA season, he joined the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2024. There's not enough data yet to show off his NBA stats, but if he keeps up his track record, he is sure to make a great impact in the game in the next few years!
Top 3 Aussies in the NBA of All Time
Unfortunately, not every Australian who made it to the NBA got to play in any games, which takes the wind out of the sails a bit. We are focusing on Aussies who not only got drafted or signed onto an NBA team but also got to touch the court at game time.
Luc Longley
Played For: Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, New York Kicks.
Years Active: 1991-2001
Career Stats: 567 GP, 4090 PTS, 2794 TRB, 836 AST, 549 BLK
Achievements: 3x NBA Championships (Chicago Bulls, 1996-98)
Luc Longley was more than just a great Australian NBA player; he was a trailblazer in the sport. Standing at a towering 7 feet 2 inches, he possessed exceptional skills that made him an asset to any team he played for. Longley's agility, post-up moves, and defensive prowess were unmatched, earning him a spot on the Chicago Bulls during their dominant run in the 1990s. Not only did he contribute to their three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998, but he also paved the way for future Australian players in the NBA. Longley's impact on the game goes far beyond his statistics; he inspired a generation of basketball enthusiasts, brought pride to Australia, and solidified his place in Australian/NBA sports history.
Andrew Bogut
Played For: Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers
Years Active: 2005-2019
Career Stats: 706 GP, 6808 PTS, 6112 TRB, 1546 AST, 1091 BLK
Achievements: NBA Draft 1st Pick, NBA Championship (GS Warriors, 2015), All NBA Third Team (2010), NBA Blocks Leader (2011)
Andrew Bogut was undeniably a great Australian NBA player. His skills and contributions on the court were truly remarkable. Standing at 7 feet tall, Bogut was a dominant force in the paint, known for his shot-blocking abilities and mastery at rebounding. He was also a technically intelligent player, with exceptional court vision and passing skills.
Offensively, Bogut had a soft touch around the rim and was a reliable scorer. What set him apart, however, was his work ethic and determination. Despite facing numerous injuries throughout his career, Bogut always found a way to come back stronger.
His resilience and perseverance were truly inspiring. As a result, he was not only a great player but also a role model for young aspiring basketball players in Australia and beyond.
Patty Mills
Played For: Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat
Years Active: 2009 - Present
Career Stats: 892 GP, 7893 PTS, 1469 TRB, 1983 AST, 77 BLK
Achievements: Gaze Medalist (2008, 2010), NBA Championship (SA Spurs, 2014), NBA Sportsmanship Award (2022)
Mills is in the middle of his NBA career, which means he will likely make many more career moves in the next few years, which will further solidify his status as a legendary Australian basketball player in the NBA. Early in his NBA career, he had a very successful rookie debut with the Trail Blazers, despite having fractured his foot and recovering over his first summer, just one month after the draft. He has had numerous injuries so far over his career, but he keeps recovering and coming back with just as much vigour as before (if not more!).
During the 2011 NBA Lockout, he kept his skills sharp by playing with the Melbourne Tigers in the NBL and the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association. After rejoining the NBA, he surpassed Andrew Bogut's highest single-game score by an Australian, helped secure a championship win for the Spurs, and went on to break record after record in Spurs' scoring history. He is known for his incredible three-point shooting abilities.
Additionally, he is also a great team leader; in 2021, he helped lead the Boomers to their first Olympic victory in the 2020 Tokyo Games. Keep an eye on Mills in the upcoming NBA seasons!
Who Was the First Australian in the NBA?
The very first Australian to make it into the NBA was Carl Rodwell in 1969. At this time, the Draft went on as long as it took to distribute all the draftees, so Rodwell was the 217th and final pick of the night (in the 20th round). The Atlanta Hawks drafted him and while he never got to play in a game, he was a pioneer who managed to make it just a little bit easier for the next blokes to make it into the NBA.
Originally from Cowra, NSW, Rodwell’s previous basketball history included playing in the Junior Championships and the Open’s Division in the early 60s and winning the Under 18 State Title. He was also the first player selected for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics Boomers Squad. He went on to represent Australia a second time at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Rodwell had a successful college basketball career at the University of California, Riverside and some of his records are still in the school’s top 5 category.
Even though his NBA career wasn’t the fame and glory he probably hoped for, his presence in the league was still a pivotal moment. After leaving the Hawks, he continued to tour in the US and the world in the 80s before retiring from the game and picking up a business career.
He was inducted into the UC Riverside Hall of Fame in 1991, and the Basketball NSW Hall of Fame in 2019.
Other Early Australian NBA Players Who Paved the Way
Rodwell was only the first; many other Australian NBA players came after him. And while many also never made a debut in a regular season game, their presence was still a win for athletes, fans, and countrymen from Down Under!
Here are all the other Australian NBA players who were drafted since the NBA began in 1969.
| Draft Year | Player | Place of Birth | Draft Stats | Draft Team | NBA Regular Season Games Played During Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Carl Rodwell | NSW, AU | 20th round, 217th overall | Atlanta Hawks | 0 |
| 1974 | Eddie Palubinskas | ACT, AU | 3rd round, 61st overall | Atlanta Hawks | 0 |
| 1991 | Luc Longley | Victoria, AU | 1st round, 7th overall | Minnesota Timberwolves | 567 |
| 1997 | Chris Anstey | Victoria, AU | 1st round, 18th overall | Portland Trail Blazers | 155 |
| 1997 | CJ Bruton | Kansas, USA | 2nd round, 52nd overall | Vancouver Grizzlies | 0 |
| 1997 | Paul Rogers | SA, AU | 2nd round, 53rd overall | Los Angeles Lakers | 0 |
| 1997 | Ben Pepper | WA, AU | 2nd round, 55th overall | Boston Celtics | 0 |
| 2002 | David Andersen | Victoria, AU | 2nd round, 37th overall | Atlanta Hawks | 103 |
| 2005 | Andrew Bogut | Victoria, AU | 1st round, 1st overall | Milwaukee Bucks | 706 |
| 2007 | Brad Newley | SA, AU | 2nd round, 54th overall | Houston Rockets | 0 |
| 2008 | Nathan Jawai | NSW, AU | 2nd round, 41st overall | Indiana Pacers | 45 |
| 2009 | Patty Mills | ACT, AU | 2nd round, 55th overall | Portland Trail Blazers | 885 |
| 2011 | Kyrie Irving | Victoria, AU | 1st round, 1st overall | Cleveland Cavaliers | 717 |
| 2011 | Ater Majok | Sudan | 2nd round, 58th overall | Los Angeles Lakers | 0 |
| 2014 | Dante Exum | Victoria, AU | 1st round, 5th overall | Utah Jazz | 42 |
| 2014 | Cameron Bairstow | Queensland, AU | 2nd round, 49th overall | Chicago Bulls | 36 |
| 2016 | Ben Simmons | Victoria, AU | 1st round, 1st overall | Philadelphia 76ers | 332 |
| 2016 | Thon Maker | Sudan | 1st round, 10th overall | Milwaukee Bucks | 263 |
| 2017 | Jonah Bolden | Victoria, AU | 2nd round, 36th overall | Philadelphia 76ers | 51 |
| 2019 | Matisse Thybulle | Arizona, USA | 1st round, 20th overall | Boston Celtics | 331 |
| 2020 | Josh Green | NSW, AU | 1st round, 18th overall | Dallas Mavericks | 220 |
| 2021 | Josh Giddey | Victoria, AU | 1st round, 6th overall | Oklahoma City Thunder | 196 |
| 2022 | Dyson Daniels | Victoria, AU | 1st round, 8th overall | New Orleans Pelicans | 111 |
| 2022 | Luke Travers | WA, AU | 2nd round, 56th overall | Cleveland Cavaliers | 0 |
After the draft was revamped and reduced to just two rounds in 1989, it became much more common for free agents who didn’t get drafted to sign with teams, either on draft night or at other times during the season, for either season-long or short-term contracts.
Here are all the Australian NBA players who signed to an NBA team undrafted.
| First Year Signed & Played in Regular Season | Player | Place of Birth | Signing Team | NBA Regular Season Games Played During Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Shane Heal | Victoria, AU | Minnesota Timberwolves | 49 |
| 1996 | Mark Bradtke | SA, AU | Philadelphia 76ers | 36 |
| 2006 | Luke Schenscher | SA, AU | Chicago Bulls | 31 |
| 2013 | Andrew Gaze | Victoria, AU | Cleveland Cavaliers | 26 |
| 2013 | Aron Baynes | Gisborne, NZ | San Antonio Spurs | 522 |
| 2013 | Matt Dellavedova | Victoria, AU | Cleveland Cavaliers | 479 |
| 2014 | Joe Ingles | SA, AU | Utah Jazz | 690 |
| 2017 | Mangok Mathiang | Sudan | Charlotte Hornets | 4 |
| 2018 | Ryan Broekhoff | Victoria, AU | Dallas Mavericks | 59 |
| 2019 | Isaac Humphries | NSW, AU | Atlanta Hawks | 5 |
| 2019 | Deng Adel | Sudan | Cleveland Cavaliers | 19 |
| 2019 | Mitchell Creek | Victoria, AU | Brooklyn Nets | 5 |
| 2020 | Will Magnay | Queensland, AU | New Orleans Pelicans | 1 |
| 2021 | Jock Landale | Victoria, AU | San Antonio Spurs | 164 |
| 2022 | Jack White | Victoria, AU | Denver Nuggets | 17 |
| 2023 | Duop Reath | Sudan | Portland Trail Blazers | 53 |
| 2023 | Xavier Cooks | Victoria, AU | Washington Wizards | 10 |
| 2024 | Jayliin Galloway | Queensland, AU | Minnesota Timberwolves | 2 |
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Australians are just beginning to break into the NBA scene, and we will no doubt be seeing more Aussie players in the top rankings in the coming years!
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Can’t not read all that and not make a comment. This was an unbelievably thorough and educational summary of all things Australian basketball. I just wanna commend the persons involved, I’m a former player and now coach and live and breathe basketball. I absolutely appreciate the job done in putting this synopsis out there.
Cheers for the kind words! We’re thrilled that the article resonated with you, especially as someone with such a deep connection to the game. It’s great to hear from a fellow basketball lover. Your feedback truly means a lot to us! Thanks for reading and engaging!