The NBA is proof of that, and the league will continue to increase its foreign presence. After tapping into European and African market for years, the NBA is now bringing in Asian talent. The Dallas Mavericks drafted China's 7-1 Wang Zhizhi in the 2000 draft, and Zhizhi played in his first NBA game April 5. Ming could be a lottery pick in this year's draft. But it's just not Europe.
Players come from all around the world.
Henry Biasatti of Italy was the NBA's first international player. He played in the league's first game Nov. 1, 1946. It darn near resembles the United Nations. For some of us, it's a chance to explore America and play with the best players in the world. I hold a basketball camp every summer in Congo, and to see how many kids on the street are wearing NBA jerseys is amazing.