How Many Asian Players Are In The NBA?
Contents
- How many Asian players are in the NBA?
- The history of Asian players in the NBA
- The rise of Asian players in the NBA
- The top Asian players in the NBA
- The impact of Asian players in the NBA
- The future of Asian players in the NBA
- The challenges for Asian players in the NBA
- The benefits of being an Asian player in the NBA
- The drawbacks of being an Asian player in the NBA
- The advice for aspiring Asian players in the NBA
With the 2019-2020 NBA season underway, let’s take a look at how many Asian players are in the league. As of December 2019, there are a total of seven Asian players in the NBA.
How many Asian players are in the NBA?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the number of Asian players in the NBA varies from season to season. However, according to a report by ESPN in February 2020, there were a total of seven Asian players in the NBA at that time. These players were Rui Hachimura (Japan), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Buddy Hield (Bahamas), Mykhailiuk (Ukraine), Pascal Siakam (Cameroon), OG Anunoby (England) and Semi Ojeleye (England).
The history of Asian players in the NBA
The first Asian American player in the NBA was Wu Tao, who played for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1947. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that Asian American players began to make a significant impact in the league. In 1984, Japanese American player Hiroki Fujita became the first Asian American player to be drafted into the NBA. In 1986, Chinese American player Wang ZhiZhi became the first Asian born player to play in the NBA.
Since then, there have been a number of successful Asian American players in the NBA. Current players include Jeremy Lin Jordan Clarkson, and Raymond Felton In total, there have been seventeen Asian American players in the NBA.
The rise of Asian players in the NBA
In recent years there has been a rise in the number of Asian players in the NBA. as of 2020, there are nine Asian players in the league. This is a significant increase from the two Asian players that were in the league just a decade ago.
The rise of Asian players in the NBA can be attributed to a number of factors. One is the increasing popularity of basketball in Asia. In China alone, there are an estimated 300 million people who play basketball This has led to an increase in the talent pool from which NBA teams can draw from.
Another factor is the increasing global reach of the NBA. The league has been working hard to grow its brand in Asia and this has led to more people following and playing basketball With more people playing basketball it stands to reason that there will be more talented players coming out of Asia that are able to compete at the highest level
The current crop of Asian players in the NBA is immensely talented and includes some genuine superstars. Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin is one of the most popular players in the league and his rise to stardom was well-documented. Other notable Asian players include Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum.
The influx of Asian players into the NBA is sure to continue in the years to come and it will be exciting to see how they fare against some of the best competition in the world.
The top Asian players in the NBA
The number of Asian players in the NBA has been steadily rising over the past few years. While there are only a handful of Asian players currently in the league, there are several who are making a big impact. Here are some of the top Asian players in the NBA today
– Jeremy Lin Houston Rockets
– Yuta Watanabe Memphis Grizzlies
– Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards
– Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
– Malik Beasley, Minnesota Timberwolves
The impact of Asian players in the NBA
Since the late 1990s, the NBA has seen a steady influx of players from Asia. These players have had a significant impact on the league, both on and off the court.
Currently, there are eight Asian players in the NBA: Jeremy Lin (Brooklyn Nets), Jordan Clarkson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets), Kelly Olynyk (Miami Heat), Roy Hibbert (Los Angeles Lakers), Steven Adams (Oklahoma City Thunder), Enes Kanter (New York Knicks) and Timofey Mozgov (Orlando Magic). Of these eight players, Lin is the only one who is of Chinese descent. The other seven are of either Japanese or Filipino descent.
Asian players in the NBA have generally been well-received by fans and media alike. Lin, in particular, has become a global superstar thanks to his breakout season with the New York Knicks in 2012. commonly referred to as “Linsanity.” Clarkson, Mudiay and Olynyk have also emerged as solid rotation players for their respective teams.
The influx of Asian players into the NBA has also helped to grow the game’s popularity in Asia. In recent years the NBA has staged several preseason games in China and Japan as part of its effort to expand its reach into new markets. With more Asian players making an impact at the highest level, it is likely that even more fans in Asia will begin following the NBA.
The future of Asian players in the NBA
Today, there are more than a dozen Asian players in the NBA, representing countries all over the continent. While this is a significant increase from even just a few years ago, Asian players still make up a small minority of the league. In spite of this, there are many young Asian players who have the potential to make a big impact in the NBA in the years to come.
Rui Hachimura, for example, is a Japanese player who was recently drafted by the Washington Wizards He made history as the first Japanese player ever to be drafted in the first round of the NBA draft Hachimura is just one of many young Asian players who are starting to make their mark on the league.
Other notable Asian players in the NBA include Jordan Clarkson of the Cleveland Cavaliers (Philippines), Satnam Singh of the Dallas Mavericks (India), and Yuta Watanabe of the Memphis Grizzlies (Japan). With more and more Asian players entering the league each year, it’s clear that the future of Asia in the NBA is bright.
The challenges for Asian players in the NBA
Since the 1970s, the number of Asian players in the NBA has been on the rise. However, despite this increase, Asians still face a number of challenges when it comes to making it in the league.
One of the biggest challenges is simply getting noticed. Most NBA scouts focus their attention on players from the United States which means that Asian players often get overlooked.
Even when they are noticed, Asian players often face stereotypes that they are not athletic enough or that they are not tough enough to play in the NBA. These stereotypes can make it difficult for them to get draft
ed or signed by teams.
Asian players who do make it into the NBA often find themselves at a disadvantage because they do not have the same network of support as their American counterparts. This can make it difficult for them to adjust to life in the NBA and to succeed on the court.
The benefits of being an Asian player in the NBA
While the number of Asian players in the NBA is small, those who do make it enjoy a number of benefits. For one, they are often seen as hard workers and role models for other Asian players looking to make it to the league. Additionally, their skills are often highly respected by coaches and teammates, which can lead to increased playing time and opportunities. Finally, Asian players in the NBA often enjoy a large fan base both inside and outside of Asia, which can lead to endorsements and other off-court opportunities.
The drawbacks of being an Asian player in the NBA
There are currently just two Asian players in the NBA – Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jeremy Lin of the Brooklyn Nets While this may seem like a small number, it’s actually a significant increase from previous years. In fact, prior to the 2015-16 season, there had only been six Asian players in NBA history
However, despite this increase in representation, Asian players still face a number of challenges when it comes to making it in the NBA. First and foremost amongst these is the fact that they are often seen as too small to compete at the highest level. Second is the language barrier – many Asian players come from countries where English is not the first language, which can make adapting to life in the NBA (and communicating with coaches and teammates) very difficult.
Finally, there is a perception – whether accurate or not – that Asian players are not as athletic as their African-American or Caucasian counterparts. This often leads to Asian players being overlooked by scouts and passed over for draft picks even if they have comparable (or even better) skills than other players.
Despite these challenges, there is no doubt that Asian players have made great strides in recent years and will continue to do so in the future. With more and more Asians entered into the NBA each year, it’s only a matter of time before we see an increase in the number of Asian superstars in the league.
The advice for aspiring Asian players in the NBA
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the advice for aspiring Asian players in the NBA will vary depending on the player’s individual circumstances. However, some general tips that may be helpful for Asian players looking to make it to the NBA include honing one’s basketball skills gaining experience playing against high-level competition and networking with people involved in the NBA. Additionally, because Asian players are often at a disadvantage when it comes to physical size and athleticism, it is particularly important for them to focus on developing their Mental Game and becoming masterful at the nuances of basketball. With hard work dedication, and a bit of luck, it is certainly possible for an Asian player to make it to the NBA.