With the NBA and the sport of basketball being truly global, it’s not surprising that there have been some to have hailed from Australia to play in one of America’s biggest sports.
Although a global affair, the NBA has continued to attract keen interest from Australians. According to figures, it is one of the league’s biggest markets. It has experienced strong engagement across several metrics, with younger demographics in the country enjoying the sport from a participation standpoint.
Many have enhanced their passion for the game by purchasing merchandise and subscriptions that allow them to get closer to the action. In contrast, others have incorporated it into their betting passions. While many continue to play pokies at safe Aussie casinos where they can enjoy a pastime that has always been extremely well-received, sports betting and wagering on basketball have also continued to grow and become a popular activity for those Down Under.
Aussies have often focused on teams and performances when placing their wagers on the fixtures played. However, with a few Aussies being taken to the court in the league nowadays, some of these athletes have become popular prop bets, especially as they continue to showcase their abilities.
Which Aussies are among the best in the NBA currently?
When thinking about the players from Australia currently in the NBA, several names can immediately come to mind. One individual who perhaps doesn’t but should is Kyrie Irving. The current Dallas Mavericks point guard was born in Melbourne. However, he is widely considered American after representing the country at the Olympics, despite the NBA acknowledging his Aussie roots.
Still, he can be considered one of the best players from Down Under in the NBA. He is an NBA Champion (2016), was Rookie of the Year (2012), and a 9-time NBA All-Star. In 2024/25, he averaged 24.7 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, and had 4.6 assists. All-time, he has an average of 23.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.
Aside from Irving and the debated topic about whether he is Australian or not, several other players who hail from Down Under are currently in the NBA.
Dyson Daniel
Dyson Daniel is one of those individuals. He is a guard who plays for the Atlanta Hawks, having initially been drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022. This season was arguably his breakthrough year in the league, as he started all 76 games he was available for, averaging 33.8 minutes and scoring 14.1 points per game. Daniels is a two-way force, with his defensive versatility and growing offensive confidence marking him as a potential All-Star, which has been further emphasized by his recognition as the recipient of the NBA’s Most Improved Player award for 2024-25.
Josh Giddey
The Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey is another guard who has been finding his feet in the NBA recently, with it being his fourth year in the league. The 2024/25 season was his first with the Bulls after he was traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Alex Caruso. Giddey’s vision and passing make him a unique talent, although improvements can still be made to his offensive game. Still, a move to Chicago appears to have been the fresh start that he needs to make himself one of the best players from Australia in the NBA today.
Josh Green
From Sydney, Josh Green is another Australian basketball player who has been given a fresh breath of life this season. Involved in a six-team trade in the league’s history for the very first time that saw Klay Thompson go from the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks, Green would move on to the Charlotte Hornets. In his fifth year in the NBA, he played the most games in a single season with the Hornets, playing alongside LaMelo Ball, averaging 7.4 points per game.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons’ status as one of the best players in the NBA continues to be debated. From Melbourne, the Los Angeles Clippers’ star point guard is a polarizing figure due to injuries, off-court issues, and a massive contract in his final rookie year. Once a three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive First Team member and a No. 1 overall pick in 2016, his elite passing and defense are undeniable when healthy. However, his fitness remains an issue as he didn’t start a single game for the Los Angeles team after the Nets bought out his contract.
Could we see more Australian talent in the NBA?
With basketball on the rise in the country and enjoying a boom in popularity that other sports aren’t, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the league were to see a number of Aussies enter in the near future.
There have been many in the past and currently who have helped to inspire generations Down Under, and this is only likely to continue in the years to come.
