{"id":151883,"date":"2025-07-24T10:50:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:50:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=151883"},"modified":"2025-07-24T10:50:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:50:28","slug":"nba-stars-played-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/24\/nba-stars-played-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Surprising NBA Stars Who Played In Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the last several years, it has become a trend for NBA role players to move overseas to play basketball. But what if we told you that some stars and Hall of Famers have also played in Europe?<\/p>\n

10 Surprising NBA Stars Who Played In Europe<\/h2>\n

Kemba Walker<\/h3>\n

Kemba Walker<\/a> might be the most recent big-name star to move to Europe, even though he did so two seasons ago. He is a former UConn player and NCAA champion, drafted ninth overall in 2011 by the Charlotte Bobcats. The point guard is also their franchise leader in points and minutes. Following the 2022-23 season, Walker moved to Europe to play for Monaco.<\/p>\n

Amar\u2019e Stoudemire<\/h3>\n

Amar\u2019e Stoudemire<\/a> had three different stints for an Israeli basketball team. In 2016, he joined Hapoel Jerusalem, a team he also co-owned. He was selected to the All-EuroCup second team. He retired, and then came back to sign with them for the 2018-19 season. In 2020, he returned again, this time with Maccabi Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n

Deron Williams<\/h3>\n

Deron Williams<\/a> might not have his jersey retired in the NBA. He left the Utah Jazz on bad terms and didn’t have success with other teams. However, he does have his jersey retired in Europe. It only took him 15 games and two months to get this honor from Besiktas in the Turkish League. During the 2011 NBA lockout, he signed a deal with Besiktas. Once the lockout was over, he returned to the NBA, and the team retired his No. 8.<\/p>\n

Allen Iverson<\/h3>\n

One year before Williams suited up for Besiktas, another superstar point guard played in Turkey: Allen Iverson<\/a>. He suited up for 10 games before calling it quits due to injuries.<\/p>\n

Scottie Pippen<\/h3>\n

Scottie Pippen<\/a> was a six-time NBA champion who played only three games in Europe. Pippen retired from the NBA in 2004, but he returned briefly to the game in 2008. He was well past his prime at 42, but he appeared in three games as part of a marketing campaign aimed at popularizing the sport in Finland and Sweden. He played in two games for Torpan Pojat in Finland and one for Sundsvall in Sweden. His presence drew significant attention to the league.<\/p>\n

\"Scottie
Dec 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Scottie Pippen attends the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dennis Rodman<\/h3>\n

Pippen and Dennis Rodman<\/a> played together in Chicago, winning multiple championships. They also played on the same team in Finland, albeit not at the same time. Rodman, a global superstar during his playing days, was known worldwide. He was signed to suit up for the Torpan Pojat in 2005. Despite being 44 years old at the time, he scored 17 points with five three-pointers. As a global superstar, he drew a large crowd of more than 7,000 spectators.<\/p>\n