Top 10 Greatest International Players to Never Play in the NBA

[@nmgram8356]

Nikos Galis was the God of basketball.. So talented..

[@lucaskumbrevicius]

Oscar Schimidt was better

[@spyz1448]

@@lucaskumbrevicius With all do respect to maybe the best Brazilian basketball player of all time, Oscar Schmidt was a "sharp shooter" but couldn' t drug 2 or even 3 players with him, go inside the paint and still score while being on the air, with the oponents try to block him...Galis had a great middle range 2 - shot statistics and a more than decent 3 - point shots.He had a lot of variety in his game.Oscar just waited to recieve the ball and shoot(with remarkable indeed capability) but no fantasy in his game.

[@Noob_Guy2k]

Oscar smith averaged 42 points shooting 57%

[@evan_vangelisskoupras3085]

@@spyz1448 Schmidt was a spot shooter and had length in his shots. Brilliant scorer for sure. He was also near to nothing in every other category. Both Galis and Petrovic where much better as players than him. Proof: He scored a whoping 44 for Caserta in that game that is reknown. Why is it reknown? Cause Petrovic scored 60(!) and obviously took it home. In fact Epifanio, Dacouri, Riva, Miki Berkowich, Doron Jamchi where all at least as good if not better than Schmidt. All Schmidt could do was score and he done it pretty well. But basketball is a team sport. So he never took the titles the other players had in their careers. Also let's add Arlauckas to the list who also scored 65 points AND took titles. Scoring wasn't that difficult those days. They hardly played any defence. Maybe if one got into the "paint" area. Galis and others were doing that. Schmidt didn't have to.

[@spyz1448]

@@evan_vangelisskoupras3085 That is what I' m saying.Galis was better than Oscar.

[@ΠαναγιώτηςΔακτυλούδης]

It's amusing how some people try to discredit Galis by claiming he was merely a scorer compared to players like Dejan, that people mention here, who was a complete player according to them. But let's set the record straight: Galis wasn't just a scorer; he was a SUPERscorer. There's a significant difference between the two. What makes Galis truly exceptional is that he didn't rely on monopolizing the game to average 30+ points. Throughout his entire career, not just one season, he maintained an incredible +60% field goal percentage, a feat that continued even during the later stages of his career in both the Greek league and Euroleague, as stats can confirm. While his scoring prowess steals the spotlight, we should not overlook Galis' remarkable passing skills. He was among the best passers of his generation, although this aspect of his game often got overshadowed by his scoring feats. He consistently ranked high in assists and even claimed the top spot four times in the Greek League during the 90s (there are no data for assists during the 80s). Additionally, Euroleague available data from that era also support Galis as one of the best passers, ranking sixth in 1992 and securing the number one spot in 1994. Finally we should not forget that Galis still holds the record for the most assists in a FIBA game with 23! The previous record was 22 and you guessed it right it was also held by Galis..... www.fibaeurope.com/compID_,Uz02qBnJiADOq5VntEf53.season_1992.roundID_2563.playerID_8219.teamID_989.html www.fibaeurope.com/compID_,Uz02qBnJiADOq5VntEf53.roundID_2565.season_1994.teamID_1369.playerID_8219.html Galis was a master of the art of passing, showcasing a diverse range of passes, including no-look passes, between-the-legs passes, behind-the-back passes, and full-court passes. His exceptional handling and dribbling skills were ahead of his time, featuring spin moves, crossover dribbles, behind-the-back dribbles, and change of pace dribbles executed with both speed and precision. He didn't rely on others to create shots for him; instead, he took charge of creating opportunities for himself and his team, earning the title of a one-man show, continuously challenging opponents game after game. Gomelsky, the renowned Soviet coach, proclaimed Galis as the player of the 21st century due to his unique and advanced style of play. On the other hand, while Bodiroga was undoubtedly a great player, he couldn't match Galis' scoring prowess, and even in terms of playmaking and assists, he fell short. Bodiroga may have been a better rebounder, but considering his height, he wasn't exceptional in that aspect. He had great handles for his height and often would make flashy passes but he couldn't dribble and pass with the speed Galis did. On top of that Galis was one level above everyone else in his time in terms of athleticism, while Dejan was barely mediocre in that aspect. Moreover, Bodiroga's defensive skills were lacking, making him a target for opposing coaches. When it comes to defense, Galis had the potential to be a lock-down defender if needed, as attested by none other than Dusan Ivcovic, during his time coaching Galis at Aris. His defensive limitations were a result of preserving stamina, given that the entire offensive strategy of his team revolved around him, with Yannakis taking on the role of the defensive stopper. It's essential to conduct thorough research before claiming that Galis was just a scorer. The truth is that he was a super-effective superscorer, one of the finest playmakers and passers of his generation with exceptional handling and dribbling skills and, if required, a lock-down defender thanks to his high basketball IQ and athleticism

[@mrmikeflo11]

Galis was drafted by the Boston Celtics imagine if he played alongside Bird, McHale, and Parish

[@antoniosvidakis]

Galis is the best ever, period. For no other reason than that he was only 1.83m and it was impossible to be stopped by 2 or 3 players at the same time and who usually surpassed him by 25 to 45 cm in height. On top of that he would load the oponnent team with fouls in their attempt to stop him resulting in scoring 3 points in total. That scenario occurred so often in his games.

[@ДимитрийИванов-в5н]

Nickos Galis was the greatest European basketball player that he had never played in NBA. I think Boston Celtics could had won 2 more championships with Galis in roster next to Bird and McHale. Schmidt was also amazing but not like Galis.

[@ektran4205]

nick' was born in new jersey

[@ДимитрийИванов-в5н]

@@ektran4205 I know. He is Greek

[@frankisantana]

I don't think a team that was already winning and already had two great scorers would have improved much. It would give them an attacking upgrade, but also a defensive problem. Even if you put him next to Dennis Johnson, you would have Gallis penetrating but there would be no guards waiting for the pass on the perimeter because Johnson wouldn't shoot more than 5 meters. Gallis would only have been the 6th man on those Celtics.

[@sikecar534]

​@@frankisantanaRed Auerbach said that Galis was his biggest mistake....

[@user-lp8jy3yc9h]

Galis is the best by far

[@lucaskumbrevicius]

Oscar Schimidt much better than him

[@vdLeo-je6os]

@@lucaskumbrevicius Why?

[@arisdelis1]

​@@lucaskumbrevicius I love Oscar but he was 6ft9 ...Gallis is maybe 6ft and just unstoppable....

[@PAVLAKOS67]

Many great players are missing from this list. And, to my opinion, Galis should be no 1.

[@diasspeed]

Galis > all. It was unreal what he was doing.

[@MACMISIAS]

Nice work. I am between Galis and Schmidt for number one . I believe also that Doron Jamsi belongs to this top 10 list .

[@yiannisvompiris3683]

Galis number 1, no question about that. A wonder player!

[@alescfgh4343]

Great List ! Nicos Galis should be number 1 - that guy won the law of gravity , and scored against monsters - won Sabonis - and Petrovic many times . All players in that list are AWESOME and could be at any number people want . I want to add for Sabonis , Patrick Ewing said , that if Arvidas came to NBA in1986 he would kick the ass of everybody . Also Petrovic , was in the bench of blazers for so long - unfairly , and if he continue the NBA he would be in the top 10 (my opinion) , and of course Sabas would be (he had it all , passing shooting , everything) , and as for Galis ? ...I believe if he play in NBA he would be point guard , maybe better than Isiah Thomas

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Thank you for your opinion, I think that Galis should have actually been #2 on this list. I dont think anyone comes close to Oscar and his numbers.

[@tomislavstojkovic9716]

But Galis did not won anything, comparing to most of those players on the list....

[@bruh3128]

@@tomislavstojkovic9716 45 points in 1987 on euro basket final which he won

[@tomislavstojkovic9716]

@@bruh3128 Yes, true. And that is only international thing he won

[@bruh3128]

@@tomislavstojkovic9716 and he scored 45 points while other guys who are winning 5 eyropean throphies score 5 points

[@christoszingelis9859]

You have no idea from basket.Nickos Galis was a basketball player in college in USA.College basketball is pro-NBA basketball which is more a show than basketball.

[@peterbelgium1]

Great list. Personally I would put Galis in the top 2,no doubt about that. And one player misging for me : San Epifano

[@evan_vangelisskoupras3085]

True on both counts. There where so many great players back then: Arlauckas, Epifanio, Dacouri, Riva, Miki Berkowich, Doron Jamchi. I would probably add Sibilio who could have been a great role player for many teams(like they had McGuire or non-prime McAdoo or Cooper, Worthy, maybe not at that effect cause these where great players, but his style was similar, he'd make a difference with his playing imo.)

[@zachary261]

What about Vladimir Tkachenko?

[@frankisantana]

I don't know how Tkachenko would have kept up with the NBA rhythm. Artis Gilmore would have passed him on the right. Eaton could play, but he weighed considerably less. Tkachenko was a mountain.

[@jimjim3979]

Nick galis is levels above bodiroga not even close, galis and schmidt are on a different league in this list

[@Vyncius]

How you didnt even mention Ramunas Siskauskas

[@orkhanimanov1584]

Oh, Dejan Bodiroga was definitely better than 80% of NBA players in the history! And you forgot Alesha Djorjevic, another magician from Yugoslavia of 90s. He played only 8 games in NBA, but he was a legend on European Scene.

[@neromeroc3793]

Good video, though Mickey Berkovich deserves a mention.

[@HZArnel87]

What about Delibašić?

[@antonios5721]

Galis could be also in the list with the Americans who didn't play at NBA

[@msr187]

By the highlights bodiroga looked like even in 2023 he can be a problem in the nba .

[@thanell1373]

Also 3D while active was leading assist leader and leading PIR in EuroLeague also top 5 in defensive stats such as rebounds steals and blocks competing in stats even with the greatest centers of Europe

[@jovanstojanovic-n9v]

Please, look to Zoran Savic. American journalists said "Nobody can stop Shack, Except Zoran Savic."

[@theomaniatis-c7n]

GALIS GALIS GALIS BY MILES WAS THE BEST A FREAK

[@dragankitanovic6277]

Nikos has got short episode in NBA ?

[@Titova-prababa]

For me Cosic is number 1

[@anonymos59]

Amazing video Thank you

[@pb1709]

Maybe Sasha Djordjevic and Carlton Myers deserved at least a mention before announcing n. 1

[@stizostedion1221]

Djordjevic played for Portland in 96 (only 8 games...) If Carlton Myers deserve a mention, Petar Naumoski, Alberto Herreros, Theofanis Christodoulou, Hervé Dubuisson and many other deseve also one.

[@manuelalvarez4318]

Really all of them would have been at least NBA stars! And some the best ever! Now Sergio lull? you were doing so good!

[@BasketballFundamentals]

I wanted to include Lull. so an honest question - who would you put OUT of the top 10, so you can include Lull?

[@deividasmomkus9920]

If Papaloukas is in the list, you must mention Ramunas Siskauskas

[@tsanos66]

Gslis is the best no cup

[@fraerot]

Ooo you forgot one big name here namely Juan Antonio San Epifanio. Too many greek and yugoslavian players. Also honarable mention the Israeli Doron Jamchi.

[@ΧρήστοςΑντωνόπουλος-π5δ]

Fanis Christodoulou 🇬🇷!!!!!! But Galis out of space!!!!!

[@mosesguevarra2028]

Philippines' Samboy Lim the best on International Basketball Competition.👊

[@KENNYBOI-s6n]

nah

[@mjjfk8750]

Ćosić above all mentioned! He was back then the prototype of todays stretch 4 and point forward. and contrary to all those scorers he was an ALL-AROUND BASKETBALL PLAYER, with being TOP in every aspect of the game. greetings fellow basketballs players and enthusiasts

[@statebriga1773]

And great teacher

[@babiskounadis3755]

Great video! Personally, I would put Gallis in the 1st place! He was the God of basket!

[@lucaskumbrevicius]

Oscar so much better

[@brankafilipovic7939]

Bravo.

[@ceegun]

I agree...even with honorable mentions

[@kouliskoyk2306]

Oscar is still playing basketball???i know he quit basketball at 50 But he wasn't playing at a professional level

[@Haruo-6768]

I love kresimir cosic and radivoj korac and vladimir tkachenko and drazen dalipagic

[@spirosefthimiou3812]

DIAMANTIDIS..THE BEST EUROPEAN BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER

[@sabanstjepanovic5393]

Imam njegov dres i cuvam ga ko oci u glavi.jedino kad se sredim po vrucinama tad ga obucem ;)

[@WhiteMamba12]

Without the question the best who never played in the NBA was Bodiroga

[@philip5454]

I believe the guys on the video are just as good (some of them a bit better some of them a bit worse)

[@andysenadbajric]

Great job!!!

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Thank you. this was only my second video ever so the production is not really that good. But I tried to make the best list that I can.

[@jorro.georgiev]

For me the top 3 are reversed... but it is a good list. Nice work!

[@mare21ns]

I agree with your list!

[@jordivilardosa]

San Epifanio and Miki Berkowich are missing in that list instead of some others....

[@mrmikeflo11]

Imagine if these guys played alongside MJ, Bill Russell, Reggie Miller, etc

[@Noob_Guy2k]

One of those Soviet Union titles was rigged

[@swissdude7653]

Where is Manuel Raga?

[@marinakalliakosta6481]

Galis and sabonis!!

[@predragnikolic5807]

Great list!

[@BasketballFundamentals]

Thank you, glad you agree with our choices.

[@GeorgeTsirikakis]

Navaro and Spanoulis should be on the list

[@FernandoRodriguez-wj8fe]

Juan Antonio San Epifanio "Epi", Carlos Herreros, FELIPE REYES, Antonello Riva, Pierluigi Marzorati, Antoine Rigaudeau, Miki Berkowitz,.....

[@JerryFilipovic]

Prime Bodiroga would be great in todays NBA

[@alexdavila122]

Oscar 🐐🇧🇷

[@ΔιαχείρισηΠολυκατοικίας-ρ6η]

Also Fanis Christodoulou, Aggelos Koronios, Dimos Ntikoudis, Kostas Tsartsaris, Nikos Chatzis, Michalis Kakiouzis, Tzannis Stavrakopoulos, Nikos Chatzivrettas from Greece.

[@VulkanRaven1]

Really??? You putted Galis underneath Bodiroga??? Seriously??? Also, where is Panagiotis Fasoulas? Where is Giannakis?? Where is Lazaros Papadopoulos?? Giannis Bourousis?? Giorgis Printezis??? Again... Really???

[@naivo31]

What about deparcoin, a legend in Africa

[@GeorgiaXaristianou]

Who??

[@sohyankeat2031]

Meme

[@goxxibeli1549]

Bodiroga Is the best player ever,Hi was a magic

[@SteveBart666]

Not having Galis at number 1 makes the hole list a joke...

[@pexonifikacija]

Bodibond 🇷🇸

[@MK-zg8bq]

Bodiroga should be number one.

[@sambeaumont395]

Stats and achievements, players hair?

[@markomarkovic5729]

With all due respect to Oscar Schmidt, I don’t see how he can be the best international player to never play in the NBA. He was an exceptional scorer, but he never won anything significant, because he chose to play in mediocre clubs where he could be the top scorer. Dražen Dalipagić made a similar choice in the later stage of his career, when he went to Italy, where in the 1987/88 season, when he was already 37, he defeated Oscar Schmidt in the race for the best scorer, and a record of 1,417 points (37.7ppg) in one season stands to this day. He and Dragan Kićanović, along with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, are the only duo in world basketball in which they both averaged over 30ppg in one season - their combined average in the 1978/79 season was 68ppg. And unlike Oscar Schmidt, they won trophies. Dragan Kićanović was OFFICIALLY named the best foreign player in the history of the Italian league, and Mike D'Antoni stated that Kićanović was the best player he ever played against. Dalipagić also played against the biggest NBA stars, in 1978 in a match in Chapel Hill he beat Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, and in the early 80s he played several times against Michael Jordan and outscored him every time; in the match of the Yugoslav national team against the University of North Carolina, he scored 41, while Jordan scored 23. Dalipagić had an offer from the Celtics in 1976, after he averaged over 30ppg in the Summer League, but eventually rejected the offer, because according to the FIBA rules at the time, he couldn't play for the Yugoslav national team. Kićanović had an offer from the Pacers, but also declined. Oscar Schmidt certainly deserves to be on this list, but Bodiroga was a better player in every way.

[@MrJoaodom]

Ask the 92 dream team players who is the best player abroad ever, they will tell you Oscar Schmidt. Kobe told the same. It´s enough.

[@plastikaaa]

Also Schimdt don’t lead KAJ by 11k points. Cuz NBA only count regular season points, playoff not included. LeBron gonna have nice shot to brake 50k barrier

[@lucaskumbrevicius]

Oscar Schimidt much better by far

[@frankisantana]

The big teams didn't want him because he didn't defend at all. He is not the best on that list, just the one with the most fame in the USA. He is in 1 because of his scoring records and because he scored 55 against the USA throwing everything, but he never dominated in Europe, not a single year.

[@markomarkovic5729]

@@lucaskumbrevicius And one just ONE Cup in Italy😂 Bodiroga was back to back Euroleague F4 MVP, won back to back Fiba World Cup in 1998 and 2002, while being go-to guy in Yugoslav NT - ahead of Stojaković who was an NBA All-Star in those years and All-NBA Second Team in 2004. Dragan Kićanović won Olympic gold, World Cup in 1978 and was named MVP in 1974 at just 21 years old. Plus 3 European championships in 1973, 1975 and 1977, back to back Fiba Korać Cup in 1978 and 1979 (finals top scorer in 1979) and Saporta Cup in 1983, where he was also top scorer. And he was the guy that invented Shammgod/El Latigo move.

[@frankisantana]

Oscar Schmidt didn't defend, that's why he only has scoring records and no trophies, the big teams didn't want him. The most talented players to play in the NBA in his time were surely Delibasic and Cosic. Both could have started in the NBA because they had physicality and quality, not just talent. And you need to mention Tkachenko and Myskin, who sparked interest in franchises in the 1970s. Kurtinaitis could have played in the NBA as well, but only as a shooting specialist.

[@pointlessdeveloper]

I believe Manuel Raga could have been included in this list

[@gotu1957]

People saying Galis should be nr.1.. its not all about scoring, i guess that is only Greeks talking that Galis is the best. No one i repeat no one was better than Bodiroga and it is not even close!

[@gidats8238]

bodiroga was great, but you have clearly never saw galis play..a guard that finished his carreer with 60% shooting

[@gotu1957]

@@gidats8238 galis was amazing!

[@Haruo-6768]

Kresimir cosic, ramūnas siskauskas,dimitris \"dimitrios\" diamantidis, theodoras papaloukas, radivoj korać, fragiskos alvertis & kresimir cosic was also great and as good as dejan bodiroga

[@theomaniatis-c7n]

IM CROATIAN BELEIVE ME GALIS WAS MILLION MILES THE BEST PLAYER NEVER TO PLAT NBA IN ONE GAME HE OUT SCORED MICHAEL JORDAN

[@loony_freak]

Galis is N1

[@ALEXBOADA]

1--Serguéi Belov...............................URSS. 2-Oscar Schmidt...........................Brasil. 3-Krešimir Ćosić............................... Yugoslavia. 4-Nikos Gallis-..................................Grecia. 5-Dino Meneghin.............................Italia . 6-Radivoj Korać........................................ Yugoslavia. 7-Dejan Bodiroga..............Serbia y Montenegro-Yugoslavia. 8-Wlamir Marques.......................... Brasil. 9-Dražen Dalipagić.......................... Yugoslavia. 10-Juan Antonio San Epifanio - Epi,........España. 11-Dimitris Diamantidis........................ Grecia. 12-Theodoros Papaloukas........................ Grecia. 13-Modestas Paulauskas...........................URSSS. 14-Vladimir Tkachenko.............................. URSSS. 15-Amaury Pasos ........................................Brasil. 16-Pero Cameron................................ Nueva Zelanda. 17-Gregor Fučka............................................ .....Italia . 18-Carlton Myers.................................Italia 19-Juan Antonio Corbalán....................... España. 20-Pierluigi Marzorati..............................Italia 21-Teófilo Cruz......................................... Puerto Rico- 22-Rolando Frazer.........................Panama. 23-Ubiratan Pereira Maciel............. Brasil. 24-Manuel Raga....................................Mexico. 25-Oscar Furlong.....................................Argentina. 26-Dragan Kićanović........................... Yugoslavia. 27-Panagiotis Giannákis................... Grecia. 28-Mirza Delibašić........................... Yugoslavia. 29-Vasilije Micić...................................Serbia . 30-Marcelo Milanesio........................ Argentina.

[@Noob_Guy2k]

W

[@ricardomoraes7946]

Orgulho do grande Oscar Schmidt!

[@black11110]

Dikembe mutumbo played in the nba tho😂

[@nomore184]

Martynas Andriuskevicius

[@markomarkovic5729]

He was never that good, but he spent 1 year in the NBA. If we talk about Lithuanian players, the player who had quality for the NBA was undoubtedly Arturas Karnišovas.

[@carlosp1106]

San Epifanio "EPI"

[@JomoDaMusicMan]

YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, IF ONLY, "IF" IS THE BIGGEST LITTLE WORD IN WEBSTER. Meaning "IF" IF A BULL FROG HAD WINGS HIS ASS WOULDN'T BUMP THE GROUND. What about the brothers the NBA black balled, THE HAWK, because they wanted the NBA, an all white boy social club. If they hadn't allowed Bill Russell & later Wilt into the NBA, they would've never developed, into the league with the greatest talent in the world, these two brothers made the league employ KAREEM, BIG E, WALT BELLAMY , NATE THE GREAT, AND BOB LENEAR. NBA didn't want Russell but Red Aubach wanted him, and Red was a powerful man he got what he wanted, he also helped Wilt get into NBA

[@brianjones7660]

You are delirious. The NBA was integrated in 1950 . Facts hurt don't they? Connie Hawkins was banned for gambling, not his color. Along with white guys as well. Try again.

[@JomoDaMusicMan]

@@brianjones7660 B.S., u stupid white guys always make up your own stories, which isn't fact, I remember when they banned The Hawk, they said it was for gambling which turned out to be a lie, and few yrs later they overturned the ban. SO STFU

[@JomoDaMusicMan]

@@brianjones7660 IN 1950 the NBA had a quota for blacks, one black or none per team, so THAT'S YOU DEFINITION OF INTERGRATED NBA

[@mikebuglione32]

Bodiroga should be 1

[@nikos8247]

Οscar Schmit and Nick Galis...

[@jasonarment836]

Sabonis

[@philip5454]

Sabonis is on this level but he played in the nba.

[@unaluysal7581]

Llull u gorunce korktum.

[@GrobarJug]

Sex droga Bodiroga

[@mbengaful]

Tkachenko >> Meneghin

[@bna441]

Nope. Galis first. Schmidt second. Everybody else is fine.

[@vilmantaskontrimas1672]

Modestas Paulauskas and Artūras Karnišovas 😊