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Michael Yuan 6y

NBA rosters to feature international players from record 42 countries

NBA

Opening night rosters for the 2017-18 NBA season will feature 108 international players from a record 42 countries and territories, according to the league.

The record of 113 international players was set last season, along with the previous record of 41 countries.

In addition to the 108 international players, five of this season's international players are on two-way contracts and will spend the bulk of the season in the NBA G League and no more than 45 days with their NBA teams.

Canada remains the most-represented foreign country for the fourth straight year with 11 players, followed by France (10), Australia (8) and Spain (7). China, the biggest international market for the NBA, has one player after a five-year drought, with Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets.

In total, 64 of the international players are from Europe, which is another record.

The Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors lead the league with seven international players apiece. The Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs each have six.

Notable international players expected to make their NBA debuts include the first overall pick of the 2016 draft, Ben Simmons (Australia, 76ers), the eighth overall pick of the 2017 draft, Frank Ntilikina (France, Knicks), and Milos Teodosic (Serbia, Clippers).

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