The EuroLeague, widely recognised as Europe's premier men's professional basketball competition, has a rich history dating back to 1958.
It stands as the pinnacle of European club basketball, attracting top talent and delivering high-caliber, tactical gameplay that captivates fans across the continent and beyond.
Tales from over 60 years of fierce competition are legendary and many of the names have gone into EuroLeague folklore.
Here are 10 of the very best players who transitioned from the NBA to the EuroLeague.
10. Evan Fournier
After a 12-year NBA career playing 723 games for multiple teams, Fournier returned to Europe, joining Olympiacos in September 2024.
He was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team in his debut season and helped Olympiacos win the Greek championship.
9. Nikola Mirotic
Mirotic was named the EuroLeague MVP in the 2021-22 season and is a two-time EuroLeague Rising Star.
He played 359 NBA games before returning to Europe, where he became one of the highest-paid players and won multiple league championships in Spain and Italy.
8. Kemba Walker
A four-time NBA All-Star and an All-NBA Third Team honoree, Walker played 12 years in the NBA, setting franchise records for the Charlotte Hornets.
He later joined AS Monaco in Europe, making 26 appearances in the continent's premier club competition.
7. Serge Ibaka
A veteran of 1,071 NBA games, Ibaka was an NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
He was also a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and a two-time NBA blocks leader.
Ibaka has also played in Europe for Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich.
6. Amar'e Stoudemire
A six-time NBA All-Star, Stoudemire played 14 seasons in the NBA, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honours in 2003.
He also had a notable career in Israel, winning two Israeli Basketball Premier League championships with Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv, and was named Israeli League Finals MVP in 2020.
5. Alex English
A Denver Nuggets legend, English was an NBA scoring champion in 1983, an eight-time All-Star, and a three-time All-NBA Second Team selection.
He played his final professional season in Italy for Basket Napoli.
4. George Gervin
"The Iceman" spent 14 years in the ABA and NBA and is recognised as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.
He concluded his playing career in Europe, spending a season with Banco di Roma in Italy and finishing with Spanish side Manresa, where he averaged over 25 points per game in his final season.
3. Dominique Wilkins
Known as "The Human Highlight Film," Wilkins was a nine-time NBA All-Star and the 1986 NBA scoring champion.
He also achieved success in Europe, winning a EuroLeague title with Panathinaikos in 1996 and being named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP for that season.
2. Bob McAdoo
A legendary figure, McAdoo was the NBA MVP in 1975, a three-time NBA scoring champion, and a two-time NBA champion.
He later had a significant impact in Europe, leading Olimpia Milano to two FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague) titles and earning EuroLeague Final Four MVP honours in 1988.
1. Allen Iverson
Widely regarded as one of the greatest ball-handlers in NBA history, Iverson was the NBA MVP in 2001, an 11-time All-Star, a four-time scoring champion, and a three-time All-NBA First Team selection.
He also received Rookie of the Year honours in 1997 and was a three-time steals leader.
Iverson concluded his professional career in Europe with Besiktas, playing ten games for the Turkish side.
