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NBA Draft: Best international players ever taken

By Trevor Magnotti

Mar 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Basketball: Houston Rockets Yao Ming (11) in action vs Los Angeles Lakers Ron Artest (15) and Pau Gasol (16). Los Angeles, CA 10/26/2010 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X84948 TK1 R2 F13 )
Basketball: Houston Rockets Yao Ming (11) in action vs Los Angeles Lakers Ron Artest (15) and Pau Gasol (16). Los Angeles, CA 10/26/2010 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X84948 TK1 R2 F13 ) /

6. Yao Ming, C, China

2002 Draft: No. 1 pick by the Houston Rockets

Yao Ming’s basketball legacy reaches far beyond his 486-game NBA career, and his multitude of injuries and playoff struggles with the Houston Rockets skew our memory of him. Yao was one of the most successful centers of the mid-2000s, averaging 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.9 blocks per game over eight NBA seasons. His All-Star appearance totals are inflated by his influence in China — Yao was voted the starting center in the West every year he was in the NBA, even his injury-plagued 2010-2011 season — but what gets lost is that he made five All-NBA teams, and averaged 21.6 points and 11.6 rebounds while shooting 53.1 percent during the 2007-08 Rockets’ 22-game win streak. Yao was an incredible presence on both ends of the floor, providing excellent rim protection without posting gaudy shot-blocking totals, and scoring equally well from the post and midrange. Despite playing just eight NBA seasons, he only trails Amar’e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer in Win Shares for the 2002 Draft class, and impressive feat given that both have played almost 400 more games.

Yao was an excellent pick at No. 1 by the Rockets in 2002, and he helped both create a perennial playoff team in Houston and establish the NBA in China. Yao not only paved the way for Chinese players like Yi Jianlian and Zhou Qi to get shots at the NBA, but also helped create the pipeline for former NBA players to continue playing in China, establishing the Chinese Basketball League as one of the better leagues in the world. He, like Sabonis, was a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame, even if he didn’t have the most impressive NBA career, thanks to his impact and influence in helping to promote the global NBA brand. But while he may end up being far better known for his post-basketball exploits (Which include extensive charity work, buying his former club team, and starting his own wine label), we can’t forget that Yao was still one of the best international players to ever play in the NBA.

Next: 5. Drazen Petrovic

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