More International Players Joining American Basketball Teams

 

Before last season, the National Basketball Association¹ (or NBA) announced it had more international players than ever before.

And that number only continues to grow.

When the 2016-2017 season started, the NBA said it had 113 international players. They represented 41 countries and territories.

Many of the international players are European, African or Canadian. Some players are from South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina.

The Utah Jazz had the most international players, with seven.

It is possible that the NBA will build on those numbers in the 2017-2018 season. For example, Lauri Markkanen of Finland and Frank² Ntilikina of France were among the first 10 players chosen in the NBA draft³. Players from Latvia, Germany and Slovenia were chosen later on.

The Washington Wizards are the NBA team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards are no different than the other teams. They have players from France, Czech Republic and Poland. Another player was born to Nigerian parents in the American state of Maryland.

Ian Mahinmi of France plays center for the Wizards. His parents are from Jamaica and the West African nation of Benin.

As a boy, Mahinmi wanted to play soccer like Patrick Vieira, a member of the French national team. Vieira was born in Senegal and helped France win the World Cup championship in 1998.

But Ian Mahinmi grew too tall for soccer, so he gave basketball a try. Now, he is in his 10th season in the NBA.

“The next thing you know, I am here,” he said. Mahinmi is 2.1-meters tall.

He says, now, many young people in Europe and Africa dream of basketball. In the past, it was only soccer.

“It’s not only soccer now. Basketball definitely⁴ took a big part in people’s heart. I feel like there is more and more young folks that grow up to be basketball player(s). There is more and more African players in the NBA, so it’s been a big growth since I got in the league.”

The NBA is doing its part to interest young people with exhibition games in Africa and China.

Starting October 5, the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors⁵ will play two preseason games against the Minnesota Timberwolves in China.

Mahinmi is working to spread the word about basketball, too. Last summer, he went to Benin and demonstrated⁶ basketball skills to 55 young players during a three-day event.

Mahinmi enjoyed the visit.

“The love that they showed me and the welcoming from the minute we got out [of] the plane until the last minute was tremendous⁷. You know, this was probably the trip of the summer for me, my dad, probably the trip [of] our lives. So, you know, it’s something we want to do every summer.”

The visit to Africa was important for Mahinmi. But now that the Wizards are back together, preparing for the new season, he wants to help his team improve. Last year, the Wizards won 49 games, their best total since the late 1970s.

“I really feel like we are ready for the challenge,” Mahinmi said. “It’s going to be an exciting time.”

I’m Dan Friedell.

Words in This Story

draft – n. a system by which professional sports teams choose players from college or high school teams — usually singular⁸

center – n. someone who plays a middle position on a team in sports like basketball, hockey, football, and soccer

tremendous – adj. very good or excellent

exhibition – n. a demonstration; a public showing

1 association   

n.联盟，协会，社团；交往，联合；联想

参考例句：

• Our long association with your company has brought great benefits.我方和贵公司的长期合作带来了巨大的利益。
• I broke away from the association ten years ago.我10年前就脱离了那个团体。

2 frank   

adj.坦白的，直率的，真诚的

参考例句：

• A frank discussion can help to clear the air.坦率的谈论有助于消除隔阂。
• She is frank and outgoing.她很爽朗。

3 draft   

vt.起草，作...的草稿；n.草稿，草图，草案

参考例句：

• He's now revising the first draft of his essay.他目前正修改他的文章初稿。
• The draft of this article has been done。这篇文章已经定稿。

4 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

5 warriors   

武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I like reading the stories ofancient warriors. 我喜欢读有关古代武士的故事。
• The warriors speared the man to death. 武士们把那个男子戳死了。

6 demonstrated   

举行示威游行（或集会）( demonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )； 示范。展示； 显示； 论证

参考例句：

• All of those demonstrated the correctness of his analysis. 这一切都证明了他分析的正确性。
• The fireman demonstrated great courage in saving the child. 那位消防队员在抢救孩子的过程中，表现了极大的勇气。

7 tremendous   

adj.巨大的，极大的；很好的，非常好的

参考例句：

• This book was the outcome of a tremendous amount of scientific work.这本书是大量科学研究工作的成果。
• There is a tremendous difference between them.他们之间有着极大的差别。

8 singular   

adj.个人的，单数的，独一的，唯一的，非凡的；n.单数

参考例句：

• The young man has a singular ear for music.这个年轻人对音乐有非凡的欣赏力。
• The noun is in the singular.这个名词是单数形式。