Over the years, the NBA and the game of basketball have become more popular internationally.
Some of the best players in the world recently are foreign players.
This is very apparent with the recent MVP winners, as James Harden in 2018 is the last American-born player to win the award.
No matter who wins this year, it will still be a foreign player since all three nominees were born outside of the states.
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Beijing shows love to an unexpected NBA player
In some countries, the love for players is very apparent, as NBA player D'Angelo Russell was signing autographs and meeting fans in Beijing with hundreds of others waiting in line.
These fans each paid $300 to line up and meet D’Angelo Russell in Beijing 😳🔥
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 20, 2025
(🎥 @NetsDaily )
pic.twitter.com/mgyAxlaBC4
We have seen players like Steph Curry and James Harden get similar treatment and receptions when overseas, but it is interesting to see fans love a player like Russell.
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Don't get me wrong, Russell is no scrub, but you wouldn't see a reaction like this in the United States if Russell was doing a signing or meet and greet.
It's a testament though to the game growing and how fans love the game so much even on the other side of the globe.
Fans in Europe and Asia still follow and watch games when they're often on very late with those continents being hours ahead of the tip-off time locally in the U.S.
Seeing receptions such as this for Russell are very encouraging for the game which over the past decade or so has reached a new international crowd that is great for everyone involved.
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