https://www.givemesport.com/nba-in-asia-ranking-asian-players-of-all-time/#rui-h
achimura
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〔GIVEMESPORT〕
Ranking the top 5 Asian NBA players of all time
BY KIT ESPINA
先說結論，
過去到現在，NBA陸續出現不少亞洲面孔球員。
GIVEMESPORT 日前列出五位，TOP 5 All Time 亞洲球員，排名如下：
#5 Rui Hachimura 八村壘
#4 Jordan Clarkson 克拉克嬸
#3 Wat Misaka 三阪亙 （上古..)
#2 Jeremy Lin 林書豪
#1 Yao Ming 姚明
以下原文各位自行品嚐
As the NBA has grown in Asia, so has the presence of Asian players in the league
, including the likes of Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin.
https://i.imgur.com/BqDWQS5.jpg
Although there are several Asian players playing in the NBA right now, they’re
not as common as those coming from North America or Europe. Even if that’s the
case, several men hailing from Asia have left their mark on the league, either b
y their performance on the court or the impact they made outside of it.
The NBA has a significant – and constantly growing – fanbase in Asia. A 2019 a
rticle by USA Today estimated NBA annual revenue from China at $500 million, or
10 percent of the league's income. The Philippines ranked third among global aud
iences for the NBA last season, and Filipino fans accounted for 618 million view
s on the NBA global YouTube channel – more than any country other than the Unit
ed States.
Basketball's popularity has not only created legions of loyal NBA fans, but also
young athletes eager to practice the sport, with dreams of one day playing prof
essionally in North America.
From the likes of Yao Ming, Jeremy Lin, and a few more, we take a look below at
the five best Asian players to ever play in the NBA.
5. Rui Hachimura 八村壘
https://i.imgur.com/QyJlTAk.jpg
Even at 25 years old, Rui Hachimura has achieved what few other Asian players in
the NBA have not done. Back in the 2019 Draft, the 6-foot-8 forward from Gonzag
a University was selected by the Washington Wizards using the ninth pick in the
first round. This makes Hachimura the first Japanese-born player to be selected
that high in the NBA Draft.
During the period he played for the Wizards, Hachimura showcased the talent that
got him picked in the first round. In 177 games, the Japanese star posted avera
ges of 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest for Washington.
Hachimura was traded to the L.A. Lakers at the trade deadline last season, and h
is profile has catapulted in recent months. With the former Wizard now playing a
longside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Japanese forward has transformed in
to a talented scorer from the bench, one who is capable of getting buckets right
away. It’s expected that Hachimura will only get better as he potentially has
a long career ahead of him
4. Jordan Clarkson 克拉克嬸
https://i.imgur.com/rEZykgf.jpg
It isn’t easy for any player to nab an individual award in the NBA. Whether it
’s the Defensive Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player of the Year, or Rooki
e of the Year, these accolades demand excellence and talent throughout the regul
ar season.
In the case of Jordan Clarkson, the Utah Jazz star won the Sixth Man of the Year
award during the 2020-21 season. In the 68 games he played from the bench, the
Filipino-American notched 18.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. T
hese numbers alone have elevated him to a much better position than other Asians
who have played in the NBA in years past, but performed much poorer than the sh
ooting guard.
In the 2022-23 season alone, Clarkson lifted his game to another level by averag
ing 20.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists for the Jazz. It isn’t hard to i
magine the Fil-Am star becoming in-demand once his contract is up as a red-hot s
corer from the bench will easily find a place on any NBA team.
3. Wat Misaka 三阪亙
https://i.imgur.com/GV2kpWU.jpg
In some cases, creating a lasting legacy doesn’t involve big numbers on the cou
rt. This is exactly the case with Wataru ‘Wat’ Misaka, a Japanese-American who
made history as the first individual of Asian descent to play in the NBA.
While his professional career only lasted a single season playing for the New Yo
rk Knicks, his entry into the league paved the way for other Asians to get the s
ame opportunity. Misaka’s presence helped start the journey to eliminating ster
eotypes and opened doors for greater diversity in the league.
Ultimately, Misaka’s one-year NBA stint led to greater things for Asians over t
he decades. Even after World War II, his inclusion into the league was instrumen
tal in helping the league transform into what it is today and bridge the social
gap between American society and Asian-Americans.
https://i.imgur.com/gzxoXgi.jpg
生於美國猶他州奧，日裔。
第一位進入NBA聯盟的非白人球員與首位亞裔球員。 三阪亘就讀猶他大學期間，幫助球隊取
得了1944年NCAA冠軍和1947年全國邀請錦標賽 冠軍。
2. Jeremy Lin 林書豪 （一冠）
https://i.imgur.com/M6mHdKG.jpg
When people think about it, there’s no way an Asian guard playing for the New Y
ork Knicks can eclipse Carmelo Anthony, or even Kobe Bryant, when it comes to po
pularity. The thing is, it did happen back in 2012, when Jeremy Lin burst onto t
he scene and birthed "Linsanity" with utmost ferocity.
During the 2011-12 season, Lin captivated the world over a 10-game run which saw
him average 24.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 9.2 assists for the Knicks. He wowed
the crowd with his ability to make clutch plays and dominate opposing squads, w
hich was practically unseen for an Asian player at the time.
While Lin’s hot play didn’t last, he still served as a serviceable backup guar
d who can manage the floor consistently. After his Knicks stint, Lin played for
the Houston Rockets, Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, an
d Toronto Raptors. It is in Toronto where Lin became an NBA champion in 2019.
All in all, Lin’s underdog story from zero to hero was one that catapulted the
Asian to the top of the NBA. His story and the impact he left on the game certai
nly shined the spotlight on players hailing from Asia.
1. Yao Ming 姚明
https://i.imgur.com/dxkeJeB.jpg
Yao Ming is regarded as the best Asian to ever play in the NBA. Throughout his n
ine-year career in the league, the Rockets All-Star averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 re
bounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game.
During that run, Yao constantly showed everyone his offensive dominance and high
basketball IQ by being a formidable presence on both ends of the court. In the
486 games he played, the Chinese All-Star used his 7-foot-6 frame to score, bloc
k shots, and grab rebounds at will.
But apart from all the feats Ming achieved in the NBA, including eight All-Star
and five All-NBA selections, it was his effort to bridge the league to China tha
t comes out as the most important. As a result, the NBA’s popularity rose to a
new level, with him playing for the Rockets. Until now, the league and Houston r
emain a big thing in China because of the contributions Yao made.
There are several more Asian players or those with Asian descent who have played
in the NBA and made their mark. Israeli legend Omri Casspi, Iranian icon Hamed
Haddadi, and Filipino-American Raymond Townsend also come to mind when thinking
of those impactful Asian players who have stepped foot on the NBA hardwood.