With the NBA becoming more guard-oriented, there’s no doubt that guards play an even more critical role today. They are usually tasked to orchestrate the offense and to breakdown defenses while also acting as a reliable scorer for the team. That's why today we're going to discuss the Top 10 international guards today.
Because the NBA has gone global, a number of international stars at the guard position have made an impact to the game. For this piece, let’s rank the top 10 active international players at the guard position today.
Honorable Mentions
For those who barely made the list, these were San Antonio Spurs’ Patty Mills from Australia, New York Knicks Rookie RJ Barrett and Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks who are both from Canada.
Top 10 International Guards Today
10. Jordan Clarkson
Career stats: 14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
Awards: 1x NBA All-Rookie First Team
Country: Philippines
Jordan Clarkson is arguably one of the best scoring threats in the NBA today. He can shoot it from deep and he can also make opportunities for himself. Because of his scoring tenacity, there’s no doubt that the Jazz are relying on his off-the-bench scoring to go deep into the playoffs. The Filipino spitfire guard has been a great fit for the Jazz after being traded by the Cavaliers, acting as a reliable Sixth Man. As a result, he is indeed one of the candidates to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award. For the ongoing season before the shutdown, he was averaging a clip high 15.6 points per game while shooting 48% overall.
Although Clarkson’s defense and tendency to force ill-advised shots are some of the negative aspects of his game, the Filipino sensation has put in the work by blending well with the Jazz’ system. Clarkson has emerged to become the third leading scorer for the team, as he has reduced the scoring load from Donovan Mitchell, while also acting as a great substitute for the then-injured Mike Conley. At one point ever since Clarkson’s acquisition, the Jazz had a winning record of 17-6 which shows the Filipino combo-guard’s value to the team.
Jordan Clarkson has been a walking bucket off the bench and has helped his team emerge as a legit playoff contender. Because of this, Clarkson should make it to the Top 10 of this list.
9. Evan Fournier
Career stats: 14.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
Country: France
Evan Fournier has been one of the young pieces that has made the Orlando Magic a young and competitive team in the league. The French guard is known for his offensive arsenal as he can shoot the deep ball at a high clip. Throughout his career, he has shot 37.6% from deep. During the season before the hiatus, Fournier was having his best scoring season as he logged in 18.8 points per game while shooting 47% overall and 40.6% from deep.
As the Magic starting shooting guard, Fournier has helped his team space the floor with his outside sniping as he currently leads the team in three-point shooting. This makes him a legit perimeter threat for opposing NBA teams. Furthermore, it is also worth noting how the French stalwart is also adept in doing some damage while driving to the basket.
Although he didn’t come out of the gates on fire in his rookie year nor has he grabbed any NBA awards in his career, he is still considered to be one of the best guards coming out of Europe and a critical piece in the Magic’s rebuilding process. Therefore, Fournier deserves to be at the top 10 of this list.
8. Bogdan Bogdanovic
Career stats: 13.3 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
Awards: 1x NBA
Country: Serbia
Arguably the best shooter out of Serbia today, Bogdan Bogdanovic is one of the best playmaking shooters for the Sacramento Kings. Bogdan has always been known for his sweet shooting stroke. Throughout his NBA career, he has shot 37% from deep. However, we witnessed that Bogdanović also has the tools to become a decent distributor and reliable ball handler.
The Serbian shooting guard can also shoot it in the clutch. Who can forget his game winning buckets that broke the hearts of the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. Whether it is an inside bucket or a deep range shot, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give the ball to Bogdanović for the last minute go-ahead basket.
Although his ability to drive to the rim still needs improvement, he makes up for it with his court vision, accurate outside shooting, and good defense. Standing at 6’6 with a 6’11 wingspan, Bogdanović can give his counterparts a tough night due to his long arms and quick hands.
Three seasons into the NBA coming from Europe, Bogi is adapting well to the NBA’s style of play. There’s no question he can further improve as he starts to enter his peak years. However for now, Bogdanović lands at the 8th spot in this list.
7. Ricky Rubio
Career stats: 11.3 points, 7.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 0.1 blocks
Awards: 1x NBA All-Rookie First Team
Country: Spain
Despite the NBA favoring score-first guards, Ricky Rubio plays the more traditional pass-first guard role. Arguably one of the best passers in the league today, the Spanish guard has the ability to thread the needle for cutting teammates and to make his teammates look good. The Spanish standout was having one of his best seasons for the Phoenix Suns before the league hiatus. Rubio put up a career high 13.1 points per game, while dishing out 8.9 assists per game. Because of this, he is indeed one of the best point guards to watch in the league today.
Aside from his passing wizardry, Rubio is also great in terms of on-ball defense. In fact, he has been consistent in terms of becoming one of the top players for the past seasons in terms of most number of steals. Because of this, Rubio is one of the five players to be in the Top 20 in NBA history in both assists and steals.
According to the official twitter account of the Phoenix Suns,
“One of the five players in NBA history to rank in the top 20 in both assists and steals per game. (Joined by Kidd, Magic, Stockton, & Paul).”
Although Rubio’s ability to score at will is found wanting at times, he makes up for it as an unselfish facilitator with a defensive mindset which allows him to keep in step with his counterparts in the NBA. Therefore, Rubio definitely deserves to be on this list.
6. Dennis Schroder
Career stats: 14.1 points, 4.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.1 blocks
Country: Germany
Dennis Schröder is a steady point guard from Germany that has the ability to score and orchestrate the offense. He also proven to be effective on both ends of the floor. In his six seasons in the league, Schröder has proven that he can be lethal off the bench as he has played back-up to guards like Jeff Teague, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul. With his ability to give relief to All Star caliber point guards by providing decent outputs in points and assists, I placed him at number 6.
Although he hasn’t nabbed an NBA Award throughout his career, Schröder gives every team he plays for a shot in the arm, due to his unselfishness and decent work ethic Because of his ability to become productive off the bench, Schröder is one of the candidates that can win the Sixth Man Award this year. There’s no question that the German guard will be one of the key pieces in the Thunder’s playoff campaign in the NBA restart.
5. Goran Dragic
Career stats: 13.9 points, 4.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
Awards: 1x NBA Most Improved Player, 1x All-NBA Third Team, 1x NBA All-Star
Country: Slovenia
Playing alongside one of the greatest point guards in Steve Nash early in his career, Goran Dragić has emerged to become one of best international guards the league has seen today. His combination of talent and great work ethic has certainly helped the Slovenian guard reach the All-Star level, making an appearance in the All Star Game in 2018.
The spitfire guard can shoot the three-point shot, drive to the basket, and make spectacular assists. Furthermore, his court vision certainly makes him an even more dangerous player on the court as he serves as an effective stabilizer in the backcourt. During the season, Dragić has averaged 16.1 points to go along with 5.1 assists per game for the Miami Heat. His contributions such as converting high percentage shots, racking up the steals, and making his teammates better have made the team one of the contenders for the Eastern Conference.
As a result, The Dragon lands at the 5th spot in this list.
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Career stats: 14.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks
Awards: 1x NBA All-Rookie Second Team
Country: Canada
One of the most promising young guards in the league today is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadian stalwart has been tearing it up as of late for the Oklahoma City Thunder. One of his key assets is to drive to the hoop and to score in traffic. If that isn’t working, then shooting the long range shot won’t be a problem for Gilgeous-Alexander.
His all-around game is also something to be excited about. Who can forget his historic night, where he produced 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. Gilgeous-Alexander becomes one of only two players to achieve this feat alongside Russell Westbrook in the last 30 years. But more importantly, he is the youngest player to ever accomplish this.
The Canadian rising star’s potential is sky high. Because of this, there’s no question he can become one of the elite guards in the near future. His steady rise allows him to be part of the top five of this list.
3. Buddy Hield
Career stats: 15.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks
Awards: 1x NBA All-Rookie First Team, 1x NBA Three-Point Contest Champion
Country: Bahamas
If there is a guard that can shoot the lights out, Buddy Hield can get the job done. One of the reasons why Hield is so effective is his long range sniping. The Bahamas shooting guard currently places second in terms of most three point field goals for the season with 244. The only player that has more is Houston Rockets star player James Harden. Furthermore, the sweet shooting of Hield also earned him the Three-Point Contest trophy earlier this year.
Hield’s sweet shooting also translates in the clutch. He was behind one of the sensational moments in the league during the 2018-2019 season where he sank the desperate fade away game-winning three point shot over three defenders. The Kings would escape the Detroit Pistons, 103-101.
Aside from this, Buddy Hield would also be responsible for the Sacramento Kings’ historic comeback against the Minnesota Timberwolves in January of this year. The Bahamas scorer exploded for 42 points, making 20 points in the fourth quarter alone while shooting 6 for 6 from the field. Because of his explosion, the Kings would complete a historic comeback overtime win, rallying from a 27 point deficit. The game ended with a 133-129 result in favor of Sacramento.
The Bahamas hotshot is definitely emerging as one of the best scoring guards in the league today. He is one of the Kings’ cornerstones alongside De’ Aaron Fox as both players are responsible for helping the Sacramento Kings become relevant again. As a result, Hield makes it to the top three of this list.
2. Jamaal Murray
Career stats: 15.6 points, 3.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.3 blocks
Awards: 1x NBA All-Rookie Second Team
Country: Canada
Speaking of sweet shooting, another player that can nail it from deep is Jamaal Murray. Murray can score in multiple ways especially with the ball in his hands. Whether it is a fade-away step back or a drive to the hoop, the Canadian guard simply has limitless range.
Like Hield, Murray has no problems finishing in the clutch. Just this season, he has already collected two game winners at the expense of the Phoenix Suns and the Charlotte Hornets. All of these game winners were from long range fadeaway shots off the dribble. This only goes to show how dangerous Murray is with the ball in his hands during the final seconds.
With the Nuggets player improving every season, there’s no question that Murray is one of the franchise cornerstones alongside the team’s star, Nikola Jokić. Murray’s contribution make Nuggets a legit playoff contender in the Western Conference.
With Murray only at 23, his ceiling is off the charts. If he could keep up his production and help the Nuggets win more games, he should be considered as one of the elite guards in the near future.
1.Luka Doncic
Career stats: 24.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.3 blocks
Awards: 1x NBA All-Star, 1x NBA Rookie of the Year, 1x NBA All-Rookie First Team, Most Triple Doubles in Mavericks history
Country: Slovenia
Despite only aging at 22, there’s no doubt that Luka Dončić has taken the NBA by storm. Just based on his numbers and awards alone, you can tell the Slovenian hotshot is in a class of his own. The Mavericks guard’s all around dominance at a young age should definitely worry opposing teams. In fact, Dončić has already made history by collecting 22 triple doubles, as he eclipsed legendary guard Jason Kidd.
The Slovenian guard may look deceptively slow when he moves with ball. However, the way he shifts his speed is what allows him to get past his defenders. Furthermore, his stepback jumpers and excellent handles make him a deadly player on the court. More importantly, he makes it look so easy when he executes his signature moves on the court.
Another aspect that makes Dončić so deadly is his high basketball IQ. His court awareness allows him to make smart plays by spotting cutting teammates for the bucket. Because of his impressive court vision, it also allows him to become one of the best passers in the game today. Now that Luka is paired with Latvian sensation Kristaps Porzingis, the former’s passing skills are all the more heightened. This may explain why Dončić’s assists have improved as he dishes out 8.7 assists this yea, as compared to 6.0 assists during the previous season.
Dončić still has a lot of playing years ahead of him and who knows how much more he can achieve. With the way he is playing now, he might even make a case for being the greatest player of all time in the future. Given how he has put everyone in the NBA on notice, the Slovenian sensation takes the top spot in this list.
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