Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant sat down with Speedy Morman for a special interview with “Boardroom Talks.” Naturally, they focused heavily on discussing the NBA and basketball in general.
Durant shared insights on several topics, including the rise of global talent and the prominence of international players in the league.
Kevin Durant Gives Props to American Basketball for Paving the Way for International Stars
Overseas talent has become increasingly prominent in the NBA over the past several seasons. So much so that some fans argue the league’s best athletes are predominantly international stars.
During Durant’s Boardroom interview, Morman pointed out that the league has been criticized for this. The two-time NBA champion was subsequently asked whether he thought the trend would continue or if it was even accurate.
The 16-time All-Star countered the question by asking why this was even being criticized. He pointed out that basketball is a global sport, which was always part of the “goal.” He applauded the rise of international stars while also crediting the American system as a major influence.
“Most of these dudes are influenced by who? Americans,” Durant said. “Yeah, it’s cool they’re getting MVPs and stuff, but who did you watch?”
“You see [Nikola] Jokić and [Kristaps] Porziņģis and Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] and all these dudes with Iverson jerseys coming up,” Durant continued. “Braids in their hair, crossing over. They trying to play like us, too. They accomplished it and executed it in their own little way.”
The 37-year-old then further used Gilgeous-Alexander as an example. Durant pointed out that the Canadian played basketball in American schools, which meant he learned the American system.
Kevin Durant on the narrative that international players are taking over the NBA 👀
“It’s about time. They been coming into the league since the 80s… The real arguments should be who are they influenced by? Most of these dudes are influenced by who? Americans. It’s cool getting… https://t.co/oT5ANWjTj9 pic.twitter.com/Kae0awYisa
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) August 27, 2026
It’s impossible to deny that some of the best players in the league currently are international stars. This steady rise has redefined the USA vs. the World in sports competitions, and the league is benefiting from it.
Last season, this was the main attraction of All-Star Weekend. Instead of the usual two All-Star teams, the league pitted three squads against each other in a mini-tournament. One team consisted of international talent, while there were two USA teams: the Stars and the Stripes.
Ultimately, the international squad could not make it to the championship round. The Stars battled the Stripes for the championship, with the former emerging as winners.
READ MORE: ‘Going To Be a Juggernaut’ — Kevin Durant Praises LeBron James’ Mindset, Predicts 76ers Will Thrive
Beyond last season’s All-Star Game, though, international talent has been raking in awards. For the last eight years, the MVP has been an overseas player. The last time an American won the award was in 2018, when James Harden took it home.
After Harden, the award was won twice by Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. This was followed by two straight wins by Serbian star Jokić, then one by Cameroon’s Joel Embiid. In 2024, the award was given to Jokić for a third time. Then, the last two were won by Canada’s Gilgeous-Alexander.
Since 2018, the DPOY has been won by an international talent six times. France’s Rudy Gobert has won it four times (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024), while Antetokounmpo (2020) and France’s Victor Wembanyama (2026) each captured one.
International stars are already prominent in the NBA, and they are only becoming more influential. There are already established stars such as Jokić, Antetokounmpo, and Gilgeous-Alexander, and ascending stars like Wembanyama. Behind them is a crop of more overseas talent waiting to enter the league.
With international stars already in the NBA and prospects still to come, one can assume this isn’t just a trend that will pass.
