The NBA has a stronger Australian flavour than ever before.
On the eve of opening night, a record thirteen Aussies lock-up spots for the 2024-25 NBA season — more if foreign-born, Australia-representing players are counted.
The Aussie contingent includes Boomers stars Patty Mills (Utah Jazz), Joe Ingles (Minnesota Timberwolves), Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls) and Josh Green (Charlotte Hornets), all of whom are suiting up for new teams.
Also in action: the mercurial — and maligned — Ben Simmons (Brooklyn Nets); rookie Johnny Furphy (Indiana Pacers); plus 2024 Paris Olympics athletes Jock Landale (Houston Rockets), Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks), Danté Exum (Dallas Mavericks) and Jack McVeigh, the sharp-shooting NBL champion who scores a two-way deal with Houston Rockets.
Curiously, the Association lists the Mavs’ all-star point guard Kyrie Irving as an Australian player (Irving is a dual-national who was born in Melbourne, but plays for Team USA), but omits Portland Trailblazer Matisse Thybulle, who was born in Arizona, but plays for the Boomers.
Fellow Boomer and Blazer Duop Reath is linked with South Sudan, according to the NBA’s official list which, on opening night, tallies a record-tying 125 international ballers across all franchises, equaling the records set at the start of the 2023-24 and 2017-18 seasons.
All 30 teams have at least one international player.
Australia is the third most-represented country outside of the U.S., a column that’s led by Canada (21) and France (14).
The NBA season tipped off by way of the defending NBA title holder Boston Celtics winning at home against the New York Knicks, 132-109, with the Celts receiving their championship rings during a pre-game ceremony. Then, the Los Angeles Lakers won at home against Minnesota Timberwolves, 110-103.
Australian players on the 24/25 opening night rosters
• Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
• Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets
• Josh Green, Charlotte Hornets
• Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
• Luke Travers*, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Danté Exum, Dallas Mavericks
• Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
• Jack McVeigh*, Houston Rockets
• Jock Landale Houston Rockets
• Johnny Furphy Indiana Pacers Ties to Papua New Guinea
• Joe Ingles Minnesota Timberwolves
• Alex Ducas* Oklahoma City Thunder
• Patty Mills Utah Jazz
(* two-way contract)
