Five Haitian NBA Players to Watch

With the NBA season just around the corner, we thought we’d take a look at some of the top Haitian players in the league. Here are five players to keep an eye on this season.

Jimmy Butler

One of the breakout stars of the Chicago Bulls last season, Butler has been on a steady upwards trajectory since he was drafted 30th overall in 2011. The 6-foot-7 small forward emerged as a two-way player last year, averaging 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 86 percent from the Free Throw Line A versatile defender with a high motor, Butler has developed into one of the best players on a young Bulls team that looks poised to make some noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs this season.

Joel Embiid

Joel Hans Embiid is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Philadelphia ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After one year of college basketball with the Kansas Jayhawks he was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the ers. He missed his first two seasons due to injury, and made his debut in 2016. He subsequently was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. As a rookie, he set multiple records for a Sixers center and led all rookies in scoring, rebounds and blocks per game.

Karl-Anthony Towns

From humble beginnings in New Jersey, Karl-Anthony Towns has worked his way to the top of the NBA. The number one overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft Towns has quickly become one of the best young players in the league. A two-time All-Star and the 2017 Rookie of the Year, Towns is a force to be reckoned with on both Offense and defense standing at 7’0” tall, he has the size and strength to dominate opponents in the post, but he also has the agility and shooting touch to stretch defenses with his outside shooting. A true “unicorn” in today’s NBA, Towns is one of the most exciting young players to watch.

Rudy Gobert

At 7’1”, Rudy Gobert is one of the tallest players in the NBA. He was born in Saint-Quentin, France, to parents who were both born in Haiti. Gobert began playing basketball at a young age and moved to the United States to play college basketball at the University of Utah He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2013 and has played for the team since then. Gobert has won two NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards and is a two-time All-Star.

Al Horford

Al Horford is a Haitian professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played College Basketball for the University of Florida and was the school’s first ever two-time consensus All-American. He was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and has also played for the Philadelphia 76ers. He is a five-time NBA All-Star

Jimmy Butler: A two-Ime Nba All-Star, Butler was traded to the Miami Heat in the offseason and is expected to be one of the team’s leading scorers.

Jimmy Butler A two-time NBA All-Star Butler was traded to the Miami Heat in the offseason and is expected to be one of the team’s leading scorers. A physical player, Butler is known for his aggressive style of play, which has helped him become one of the league’s premier defenders.

Bismack Biyombo: A versatile big man, Biyombo has emerged as a key player for the Charlotte Hornets since being drafted in 2011. He averaged a career-high 6.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season, and is expected to see an increase in his playing time this season.

E’Twaun Moore: An experienced veteran, Moore has bounced around the league since being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2011. He spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans averaging 10.6 points and 2.9 assists per game Moore is a solid all-around player who can provide scoring and playmaking off the bench.

Hassan Whiteside: One of the league’s premier shot blockers, Whiteside averaged a career-high 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game last season for the Miami Heat He signed a four-year, $98 million contract with the Heat this offseason and is expected to anchor their defense once again this season.

Joel Embiid: A dominant center, Embiid was named to the All-NBA First Team last season and is one of the league’s best players.

Joel Embiid A dominant center, Embiid was named to the All-NBA First Team last season and is one of the league’s best players. He averaged 27.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season and is only getting better.

Victor Oladipo: A two-time All-Star, Oladipo is one of the NBA’s best two-way players He averaged 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game last season and is a key piece of the Indiana Pacers’ core.

Bam Adebayo: After a breakout sophomore campaign, Adebayo was named an All-Star for the first time last season. He averaged 15.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game for the Miami Heat last season and is one of the league’s best young big men

Hassan Whiteside: Whiteside is a physical force in the paint and a dominant rebounder. He averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks per game last season for the Portland Trail Blazers

Dwyane Wade: One of the NBA’s all-time greats, Wade is still going strong in his 16th season. He averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game for the Miami Heat last season

Karl-Anthony Towns: The number one overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft Towns is a talented young player who has already shown flashes of brilliance.

Karl-Anthony Towns: The number one overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft Towns is a talented young player who has already shown flashes of brilliance. He’s a strong, athletic center with a High Basketball IQ, and he has the ability to score in a variety of ways. With his size and skill set, Towns has the potential to be one of the best players in the NBA.

Jahliel Okafor: The third overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft Okafor is another talented young player who has already shown glimpses of his potential. He’s a big, strong center with great footwork and touch around the basket. Okafor has the potential to be a very good player in the NBA.

Bojan Bogdanovic: A first-round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft Bogdanovic is a skilled wing player who can score in a variety of ways. He’s a good shooter with range beyond the three-point line and he’s also very good at finishing around the basket. Bogdanovic is still developing his all-around game, but he has the potential to be a very good player in the NBA.

Kelly Olynyk: A first-round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft Olynyk is a skilled big man who can score inside and out. He’s an excellent shooter from three-point range and he also has a nice touch around the basket. Olynyk is still developing his all-around game, but he has the potential to be a very good player in the NBA.

Hassan Whiteside: An undrafted free agent who signed with the Miami Heat in 2014, Whiteside is a physical specimen with tremendous athletic ability. He’s an excellent shot blocker and rebounder, and he’s also developed into a very good scorer around the basket. Whiteside is still learning how to play defense at an elite level, but he has all the tools to be one of the best Defensive Players in the NBA.

Rudy Gobert: A defensive stalwart, Gobert was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year last season and is one of the best rim protectors in the league.

Rudy Gobert A defensive stalwart, Gobert was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year last season and is one of the best rim protectors in the league. He has improved his scoring and rebounding averages each season since he entered the league, and with his 7-foot-2 frame and 7-foot-9 wingspan, he is a difficult player to get past on defense. On offense, Gobert is a good finisher around the basket and has developed a nice mid-range jumper. He is also an excellent shot-blocker and rebounder.

Al Horford: A four-time NBA All-Star Horford is a versatile big man who can score, rebound, and defend at a high level.

Al Horford is a four-time NBA All-Star and the only Haitian player in the NBA. He was born in the Dominican Republic but moved to the United States when he was a young child. Horford’s parents are both from Haiti. He played College Basketball at the University of Florida and he was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2007. Horford is a versatile big man who can score, rebound, and defend at a high level. He is currently signed with the Boston Celtics