Current NBA Players from the Country of Australia (2023-2024)
Basketball players, and indeed competitors across all athletic fields, carry a badge of honor for their birthplaces. It could be their home state, the neighborhood they grew up in, or the area code they associate with; there’s always a noticeable desire to represent one’s beginnings.
The same holds true for the fan base. There’s an added thrill in supporting a player who shares the same local stomping grounds, especially when that athlete plays for the team you root for above all others.
Bearing this in mind, we scoured through NBA.com to extract the home states or, in some instances, the home countries of every player listed on the active rosters of each team.
Our findings included 9 players originating from the country of Australia.
NBA Players from Australia
Below is a list of all 9 players on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometowns and the respective teams they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Simmons | Melbourne | Australia | Brooklyn Nets |
| Patty Mills | Canberra | Australia | Atlanta Hawks |
| Joe Ingles | Adelaide | Australia | Orlando Magic |
| Josh Giddey | Melbourne | Australia | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Dante Exum | Melbourne | Australia | Dallas Mavericks |
| Josh Green | Sydney | Australia | Dallas Mavericks |
| Kyrie Irving | Melbourne | Australia | Dallas Mavericks |
| Jock Landale | Melbourne | Australia | Houston Rockets |
| Dyson Daniels | Bendigo | Australia | New Orleans Pelicans |
Player Bios
Here is a little more background info for a few of the standout players from Australia:
Kyrie Irving
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Kyrie Irving, born in Melbourne, Australia, grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, and has become one of the premier guards in the NBA. Irving played high school basketball at Montclair Kimberley Academy and then at St. Patrick High School in New Jersey.
He played college basketball at Duke University before being selected as the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Irving is known for his exceptional ball-handling, scoring ability, and clutch performances.
He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2012 and played a crucial role in the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA championship victory. Irving’s ability to score, create plays, and perform under pressure has made him a standout player for teams like the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets.
Ben Simmons
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Ben Simmons, originally from Melbourne, Australia, has made a significant impact in the NBA as a versatile forward. Simmons’ journey in basketball started at Box Hill Senior Secondary College in Melbourne before moving to the United States to play high school basketball at Montverde Academy in Florida.
He played college basketball at Louisiana State University and was selected as the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Known for his exceptional ball-handling, passing, and defensive abilities, Simmons was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018.
His ability to play multiple positions and contribute in various facets of the game, including rebounding and assists, has made him a valuable and unique player in the league.
Patty Mills
Hometown: Canberra, Australia
Patty Mills, hailing from Canberra, Australia, has established himself as a skilled guard in the NBA. Mills began his basketball career at Marist College Canberra and the Australian Institute of Sport before moving to the United States to play college basketball at Saint Mary’s College of California.
He was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Known for his quickness, sharpshooting ability, and leadership, Mills has been a key player for teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets.
He has been particularly effective as a three-point shooter and a reliable scorer off the bench, contributing significantly to team successes, including winning an NBA championship with the Spurs in 2014.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town Australia to the gleaming hardwood of NBA arenas, these players carry with them a piece of their home country, a testament to the talent and determination that Australia instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of Australia continues to shine on the national stage. To the fans back home, these players are more than just athletes; they are local heroes, each with a story that resonates with the dreams of young ballers across the country.
As the season unfolds, we will watch their stories develop further, cheering for not only the skills they display but also the communities they represent. The spirit of Australian basketball is alive and well in the NBA, and perhaps, in the cheers of the crowd, the players can hear a little bit of home calling back to them.
