The Sweet 16 is showcasing a record number of international players, highlighting a growing trend in college basketball. This year’s tournament features a diverse range of talent from countries like Australia, Nigeria, Lithuania, and Mali.
The East Regional, in particular, is bursting with international prospects, including Tyrese Proctor and Khaman Maluach of Duke, and Henri Veesaar of Arizona. In fact, all four teams in the East Regional have starting centers who were born outside the United States.
This trend is not limited to the Sweet 16. The 2023-24 season saw a record 826 international players compete in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, marking a 5.8% increase from the previous year. Nearly 79% of Division I teams had at least one international player, with some programs featuring three or more foreign-born athletes.
The rise of international talent in college basketball can be attributed to various factors, including:
Global recruitment: College programs are increasingly scouting talent worldwide, with many top international recruits coming from countries like Australia, Canada, and Europe.
NBA’s global expansion: The NBA’s growing presence worldwide has fueled the game’s popularity and created more opportunities for international players to develop their skills.
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities: The NIL era has made college basketball a more attractive option for international athletes, who can now earn sponsorships, endorsements, and other revenue streams while still in college.
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