Sizeable British interest in the NBA is yet to translate to many British players making a name for themselves in the world’s premier basketball league.
The British team are a non-factor when it comes to the basketball betting markets for the FIBA World Cup, so it’s hardly a surprise that no more than a handful of British players are currently active in the Association.
How Many British Players are in the NBA Currently?
Four British-born players are currently in the NBA. These players don’t necessarily represent Great Britain in international competitions and have inevitably been outside the United Kingdom for most of their basketball development.
OG Anunoby
By far the most famous among British-born NBA players, OG Anunoby is a starting forward for the Knicks. Anunoby was selected 23rd overall by the Raptors in the 2017 NBA Draft after impressing at Indiana.
Born in London, Anunoby moved Jefferson City, Missouri at the age of four. His older brother, Chigbo, played in the NFL.
A champion with the Raptors in 2019, Anunoby was traded to the Knicks for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in December 2023. He’s a minority owner of the London Lions.
On his status as a role model, he said, "It's definitely a goal of mine to inspire kids in Great Britain to want to play basketball and show that they can make it to the NBA from Britain."
Amari Williams
Born in Nottingham and a former student at Myerscough College, Amari Williams is a frontcourt player, who was the 46th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Williams was initially selected by the Magic but was traded to the Celtics.
He made his debut in Boston’s second game of the 2025-26 NBA season in a loss to the Knicks.
Possessing great size, Williams was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He was First-team All-CAA in 2023 and 2024.
Nikola Jović
A member of the Serbian national team, Nikola Jović isn’t the first player that comes to mind when thinking of British basketball players. Jović, however, was born in Leicester as his father was playing basketball in the UK.
He moved to Serbia when he was nine and broke through with Mega Basket before being drafted by the Miami Heat in 2022.
Tosan Evbuomwan
Despite not playing competitive basketball until he was 14, Tosan Evbuomwan played college hoops with Princeton. Evbuomwan had been a part of the Newcastle Eagles’ under-18 team and had started a basketball team at his secondary school in Newcastle.
Named Ivy League Player of the Year as a junior, Evbuomwan was First Team All-Ivy League in the following year and declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.
He went undrafted but joined the Pistons for Summer League. A short stint with Detroit’s G-League team followed before he signed with the Grizzlies on 10-day contract and made his NBA debut.
He had further spells with the Pistons, Clippers, and Nets before penning a two-way deal with the Knicks in September 2025.
Who is the Best British NBA Player Ever?
Luol Deng, who became a British citizen in 2006 and captained Team GB at the 2012 Olympics, is widely considered as the best ever British NBA player. Deng was born in South Sudan, but his family emigrated to Egypt and then to London when they were granted political asylum.
A two-time All-Star and included in the All-NBA Defensive Second Team in 2012, Deng had a successful career. His best years came with the Bulls – he also played for the Cavaliers, Heat, Lakers, and Timberwolves.
Anunoby could eventually rival Deng in this category. He was named to All-NBA Defensive Second Team in 2023 and has been one of the better 3-and-D wings in the Association for several years.
Previous British NBA Players
- Ben Gordon
- Luol Deng
- Joel Freeland
- Ndudi Ebi
- Michael Olowokandi
- Kelenna Azubuike
- Pops Mensah-Bonsu
- James Donaldson
- Steve Bucknall
- Chris Harris
