REGENSBURG (David Hein's Eye on the Future) - The start of the NBA season means an annual press release from the league about the number of international players on opening night rosters. And once again, the figures are impressive and reiterate how influential the rest of the world is on the NBA.

First off the facts … there are 108 international players from a record 42 countries and territories on the opening night rosters for the 2017-18 season. It is the fourth consecutive season that at least 100 international players are in the league and also that each of the 30 NBA teams have at least one player.

The former record for countries was 41 while last season's 113 players remains the benchmark. Another record set this season is 64 Europeans on opening night rosters.

Dillon Brooks starred for Canada at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2015.

Canada added just one player to their growing haul of players in the NBA with second round draft pick Dillon Brooks with Memphis Grizzlies, and the North Americans make up the largest non-US contingent of players in the league. France have 10 while Australia have eight.

The teams with the most international players are the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz with seven each while the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs all have six.

The group of international players have some interesting stories for in-coming rookies, which deserve a bit of a closer look.

Lauri Markkanen, Finland, Chicago Bulls

Markkanen showed in the summer what he can do, being a leader for the Finnish national team at the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 despite being just 20 years old. And he was also winning games for Finland. Another interesting aspect of Markkanen being drafted 7th overall is that he was one of few Europeans who went to college in the United States and actually made it to the NBA.

Qi Zhou, China, Houston Rockets

Qi was drafted in 2016 by Houston in the second round and the 7ft 1in (2.16m) center remained with Chinese club Xinjiang Flying Tigers last season. But the 21-year-old, who debuted with the Chinese senior national team in 2014, will be lining up for the Rockets this season. His arrival is a welcome sight for the NBA as this is the first time a Chinese player has played in the NBA since Yi Jianlian left the league in 2012. 

Ben Simmons, Australia, Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia fans have been waiting to see Simmons for a whole year after the 2016 NBA No. 1 draft pick missed the entire 2016-17 season. The Australian had plenty of time to learn about the game and will not make many of the mistakes an NBA rookie will. He was also able to get physically stronger which might keep him from running into the "rookie wall" of the long season.

Milos Teodosic, Serbia, Los Angeles Clippers

Teodosic is not your typical NBA rookie, heck, he's not even your typical European veteran coming over to the NBA since the 30-year-old was a true superstar with CSKA Moscow. The Serbian playmaker said he would not head to the NBA if he was destined to sit on the bench. And with Chris Paul out of Los Angeles, it looks like the keys to the Clippers have been handed to Teodosic. And the maestro already spent the pre-season wowing NBA fans with his improbable passes.

This season promises to be an interesting one from the perspective of international players in general - and full of intrigue for the international rookies as well.

David Hein

FIBA

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