Doncic Ranked Second Among International Players in the NBA
Luka Doncic undoubtedly stands as one of the most impactful international players in NBA history. The crowd goes wild every time he navigates through defenders for a no-look pass or sinks a fadeaway three-pointer, even if it’s a bit off.
Yet, there’s more to the story. A recent study suggests that Doncic isn’t the top international player right now; that title actually belongs to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to new research from Betsson, Doncic is recognized as the second most popular and influential basketball player in Europe over the past five years.
This study evaluated Europe’s elite basketball talent based on various factors like team performance, global popularity, and positive social media sentiment. Data spanning from 2020 to 2025 included Google search trends.
Giannis leads the pack with a remarkable score of 96.66 out of 100, supported by a 61.9% win rate, substantial global search traffic, and a 61% positivity rating on social media.
Doncic comes in second with a 57.2% win rate and an impressive monthly search volume exceeding 368,000. Notably, he boasts the highest positive fan sentiment at 62%, surpassing all others surveyed.
Interestingly, Doncic finished fourth in the NBA MVP voting recently, receiving not a single first-place vote. This marks a rare instance, as he’s the first leading scorer since James Harden in 2020 to go without a first-place nod. Some fans are understandably upset, believing his lack of popularity among certain fanbases contributed to this snub. However, the favorable rating in the survey suggests a different narrative.
Coming in at third is three-time NBA MVP and 2023 champion Nikola Jokic, while Victor Wembanyama grabs the fourth spot, thanks to his rising popularity, despite a drop in team wins—something many predict will change in the coming years.
Other notable names on the list include Kristaps Porzingis, Rudy Gobert, Lauri Markkanen, Domantas Sabonis, Ivica Zubac, and Deni Avdija.
All these players have not only triumphed on the court but have also made significant headlines worldwide. It’s quite evident that international players are making a considerable mark in the NBA. The last eight MVP winners have hailed from outside the U.S., and this trend seems poised to continue with Doncic and Wembanyama leading the charge.
