The following is a list of French players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This list also includes players who were born outside France but have represented the French national team.

Key

Pos. G F C
Position Guard Forward Center
* Denotes player who is still active in the NBA

Players

Note: updated on March 1, 2024

Player Pos. Team(s) played Career[a] Regular season Playoffs Year (pick) Team Notes Ref.
Games played NBA draft
Tariq Abdul-Wahad F Sacramento Kings
Orlando Magic
Denver Nuggets
Dallas Mavericks 		1997–2003 236 13 1997 (11th) Sacramento Kings — [1]
Alexis Ajinça F Charlotte Bobcats
Dallas Mavericks
Toronto Raptors
New Orleans Pelicans 		2008–2017 293 3 2008 (20th) Dallas Mavericks — [2]
Joël Ayayi F Washington Wizards 2022 7 0 Undrafted — [3]
Nicolas Batum* F Portland Trail Blazers
Charlotte Hornets
Los Angeles Clippers
Philadelphia Sixers 		2008–present 1031 63 2008 (25th) Houston Rockets — [4]
Rodrigue Beaubois G Dallas Mavericks 2009–2013 182 6 2009 (25th) Oklahoma City Thunder Born in Guadeloupe, a French overseas department in the Caribbean. [5]
Howard Carter G Denver Nuggets
Dallas Mavericks 		1983–1985 66 5 1983 (15th) Denver Nuggets Born in the United States, became a naturalized French citizen, represented France internationally during his playing career.[6] [7]
Malcolm Cazalon G Detroit Pistons 2023–2024 1 0 Undrafted — [8]
Sidy Cissoko* F San Antonio Spurs 2023–present 5 0 2023 (44th) — [9]
Petr Cornelie F/C Denver Nuggets 2022 13 0 2016 (53rd) Denver Nuggets — [10]

Bilal Coulibaly*

G/F Washington Wizards 2023-present 56 0 2023 (7th) Indiana Pacers — [11]
Nando de Colo G San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors 		2012–2014 119 6 2009 (53rd) San Antonio Spurs — [12]
Moussa Diabaté* G Los Angeles Clippers 2022–present 32 0 2022 (43rd) Los Angeles Clippers — [13]
Boris Diaw F/C Atlanta Hawks
Phoenix Suns
Charlotte Bobcats
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz 		2003–2017 1064 119 2003 (21st) Atlanta Hawks — [14]
Yakhouba Diawara F Denver Nuggets
Miami Heat 		2006–2010 187 9 Undrafted — [15]
Ousmane Dieng* G Oklahoma City Thunder 2022–present 68 0 2022 (11th) Oklahoma City Thunder — [16]
Sekou Doumbouya F Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers 		2019–2022 96 0 2019 (15th) Detroit Pistons Born in Guinea to Guinean parents, grew up in France, represents France internationally [17]
Evan Fournier* G Denver Nuggets
Orlando Magic
Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Detroit Pistons 		2012–present 681 19 2012 (20th) Denver Nuggets — [18]
Mickaël Gelabale F Seattle SuperSonics
Minnesota Timberwolves 		2006–2008, 2013 145 0 2005 (48th) Seattle SuperSonics Born in Guadeloupe, a French overseas department in the Caribbean. [19]
Rudy Gobert* C Utah Jazz
Minnesota Timberwolves 		2013–present 738 54 2013 (27th) Denver Nuggets — [20]
Killian Hayes G Detroit Pistons 2020–2024 210 0 2020 (7th) Detroit Pistons Born in the United States to an American father and a French mother, grew up in France and represents France internationally [21]
Jaylen Hoard F Portland Trail Blazers
Oklahoma City Thunder 		2019–2022 39 3 Undrafted — [22]
William Howard G Houston Rockets 2019–2020 2 0 Undrafted — [23]
Damien Inglis F Milwaukee Bucks
 2015–2016 20 0 2015 (31st) Milwaukee Bucks Born in French Guiana, a French overseas department in South America. [24]
Joffrey Lauvergne F Denver Nuggets
Oklahoma City Thunder
Chicago Bulls
San Antonio Spurs 		2014–2018 208 4 2013 (55th) Memphis Grizzlies — [25]
Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot G/F Philadelphia 76ers
Oklahoma City Thunder
Chicago Bulls
Brooklyn Nets
Atlanta Hawks 		2016–2022 328 15 2016 (24th) Philadelphia 76ers — [26]
Ian Mahinmi C San Antonio Spurs
Dallas Mavericks
Indiana Pacers
Washington Wizards 		2007–2020 618 67 2005 (28th) San Antonio Spurs — [27]
Theo Maledon* G Oklahoma City Thunder
Charlotte Hornets
Phoenix Suns 		2020–present 176 0 2020 (34th) Philadelphia Sixers — [28]
Jérôme Moïso F Boston Celtics
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets
Toronto Raptors
New Jersey Nets
Cleveland Cavaliers 		2000–2005 145 4 2000 (11th) Boston Celtics — [29]
Adam Mokoka G Chicago Bulls 2019–2021 25 0 Undrafted — [30]
Joakim Noah C Chicago Bulls
New York Knicks
Memphis Grizzlies
Los Angeles Clippers 		2007–2020 672 62 2007 (9th) Chicago Bulls Born in the United States to a French father and a Swedish mother, grew up in the United States, became a French citizen and represented France internationally[31] [32]
Frank Ntilikina G New York Knicks
Dallas Mavericks
Charlotte Hornets 		2017–2024 321 15 2017 (8th) New York Knicks Born in Belgium to Rwandese parents, grew up in France, represents France internationally [33]
Elie Okobo G Phoenix Suns 2018–2020 108 0 2018 (31st) Phoenix Suns — [34]
Tony Parker G San Antonio Spurs
Charlotte Hornets 		2001–2019 1254 226 2001 (28th) San Antonio Spurs Born in Belgium to an American father and a Dutch mother, grew up in France, represented France internationally. [35]
Johan Petro C Seattle SuperSonics
Denver Nuggets
New Jersey Nets
Atlanta Hawks 		2005–2013 473 22 2005 (25th) Seattle SuperSonics — [36]
Mickaël Piétrus G/F Golden State Warriors
Orlando Magic
Phoenix Suns
Boston Celtics
Toronto Raptors 		2003–2013 557 69 2003 (11th) Golden State Warriors Born in Guadeloupe, a French overseas department in the Caribbean. [37]
Vincent Poirier C Boston Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers 		2019–2021 32 1 Undrafted — [38]
Yves Pons F Memphis Grizzlies 2022 12 0 Undrafted Born in Haïti, grew up in France, represents France internationally [39]
Antoine Rigaudeau G Dallas Mavericks 2003 11 0 Undrafted — [40]
Bob Riley F Atlanta Hawks 1970–1971 7 0 1970 (82nd) Atlanta Hawks Born in the United States, became a naturalized French citizen, represented France internationally during his playing career.[41] [42]

Rayan Rupert*

G Portland Trail Blazers 2023-present 16 0 2023 (43rd) Portland Trail Blazers — [43]
Olivier Sarr* C Oklahoma City Thunder 2021–present 44 0 Undrafted — [44]
Kevin Séraphin F Washington Wizards
New York Knicks
Indiana Pacers 		2010–2017 423 14 2010 (17th) Chicago Bulls Born in French Guiana, a French overseas department in South America. [45]
Pape Sy F/G Atlanta Hawks 2010–2011 3 4 2010 (53rd) Atlanta Hawks — [46]
Killian Tillie F Memphis Grizzlies 2022 54 0 Undrafted — [47]
Axel Toupane F/G Denver Nuggets
Milwaukee Bucks
New Orleans Pelicans 		2015–2021 33 4 Undrafted — [48]
Ronny Turiaf F Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State Warriors
New York Knicks
Washington Wizards
Miami Heat
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves 		2005–2015 473 47 2005 (37th) Los Angeles Lakers Born in Martinique, a French overseas department in the Caribbean. [49]

Victor Wembanyama*

C/F San Antonio Spurs 2023-present 53 0 2023 (1st) San Antonio Spurs — [50]
Guerschon Yabusele F Boston Celtics 2017–2019 74 16 2016 (16th) Boston Celtics [51]

Drafted but never played

Last update NBA draft 2023

Player Pos. Year (pick) Team Notes Ref.
NBA draft
Jean-Claude Lefèbvre [fr] C 1960 (64th) Minneapolis Lakers
Alain Digbeu F/G 1997 (50th) Atlanta Hawks
Frédéric Weis C 1999 (15th) New York Knicks
Paccelis Morlende G 2003 (50th) Philadelphia 76ers
(traded to Seattle SuperSonics on draft-day)
Livio Jean-Charles F 2013 (28th) San Antonio Spurs
Louis Labeyrie F/C 2014 (57th) Indiana Pacers
David Michineau G 2016 (39th) New Orleans Pelicans
Isaia Cordinier G 2016 (44th) Atlanta Hawks
Mathias Lessort C 2017 (50th) Philadelphia 76ers
Alpha Kaba C 2017 (60th) Atlanta Hawks
Juhann Begarin G 2021 (45th) Boston Celtics
Ismaël Kamagate G 2022 (46th) Detroit Pistons
Hugo Besson G 2022 (58th) Indiana Pacers

Miscellaneous

Player Pos. Team(s) played Career[a] Regular season Playoffs Year (pick) Team Notes Ref.
Games played NBA draft
Bob Cousy G Boston Celtics
Cincinnati Royals 		1950–1971 924 109 1950 (3rd) Tri-Cities Blackhawks Born in the United States to French immigrants living in New York City. He never represented France internationally. [52]
Joel Embiid C Philadelphia Sixers 2016–present 397 53 2014 (3rd) Philadelphia Sixers Cameroonian-born player who obtained the French nationality in 2022, considered representing France internationally, but opted to play for the United States instead.

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Tariq Abdul-Wahad Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  2. ^ "Alexis Ajinca Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  3. ^ "Joel Ayayi Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "Nicolas Batum Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  5. ^ "Rodrigue Beaubois Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  6. ^ "Howard O'Neal Jr. Carter Bio". FIBA Europe. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  7. ^ "Howard Carter Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  8. ^ "Malcolm Cazalon Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  9. ^ "Sidy Cissoko Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  10. ^ "Petr Cornelie Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  11. ^ "Bilal Coulibaly Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  12. ^ "Nando de Colo Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  13. ^ "Moussa Diabaté Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  14. ^ "Boris Diaw Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  15. ^ "Yakhouba Diawara Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  16. ^ "Ousmane Dieng Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  17. ^ "Sekou Doumbouya Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  18. ^ "Evan Fournier Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "Mickaël Gelabale Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  20. ^ "Rudy Gobert NBA & ABA Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  21. ^ "Killian Hayes Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  22. ^ "Jaylen Hoard Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  23. ^ "William Howard Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  24. ^ "Damien Inglis Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  25. ^ "Joffrey Lauvergne Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  26. ^ "Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  27. ^ "Ian Mahinmi Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  28. ^ "Theo Madelon Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  29. ^ "Jérôme Moïso Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  30. ^ "Adam Mokoka Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  31. ^ "FRA – Noah cleared to play for France". FIBA. October 8, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  32. ^ "Joakim Noah Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  33. ^ "Frank Ntilikina Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  34. ^ "Elie Okobo Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  35. ^ "Tony Parker Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  36. ^ "Johan Petro Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  37. ^ "Mickaël Piétrus Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  38. ^ "Vincent Poirier Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  39. ^ "Yves Pons Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  40. ^ "Antoine Rigaudeau Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  41. ^ "Robert Riley profile". FIBA. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  42. ^ "Bob Riley Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  43. ^ "Rayan Rupert Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  44. ^ "Olivier Sarr Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  45. ^ "Kevin Séraphin Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  46. ^ "Pape Sy Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  47. ^ "Killian Tillie Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  48. ^ "Axel Toupane Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  49. ^ "Ronny Turiaf Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  50. ^ "Victor Wembanyama Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  51. ^ "Guerschon Yabusele Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  52. ^ Reynolds, Bill (2005). Cousy: His Life, Career, and the Birth of Big-Time Basketball. New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 23. ISBN 0-7432-5476-7.

See also

Categories