Five of the Most Influential Asian NBA Players of All Time

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the global stage where the world's elite basketball talent comes to play. Players from every continent have etched their names into the league's history, and Asia is no exception. Although the journey from Asia to the NBA has often been strewn with cultural barriers, physical stereotypes, and limited exposure, a handful of remarkable Asian athletes made it to the NBA and became icons.

Yao Ming: The Colossal Ambassador

It is impossible not to mention Yao Ming when discussing Asian players in the NBA because his name is synonymous with the rise of basketball in China. Standing at a gargantuan 7-foot-6, the Houston Rockets chose Ming as the number one overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft. Being selected first raised some eyebrows in the basketball community, particularly among those who had placed NBA Draft bets online that Jay Williams, Mike Dunleavy Jr., or Amar'e Stoudemire's names would be the first out of the hat.

Many doubted the Chinese center could thrive in the fast-paced and physical NBA. Ming proved the doubters wrong and then some. He enjoyed an eight-year NBA career with the Houston Rockets, averaging 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.6 assists per game across 486 games. Ming's performances saw him become an NBA All-Star eight times between 2003 and 2011, missing out only in 2010 when he didn't play due to a foot injury.

Injuries cut short Ming's career, which could have been even greater. However, Ming's influence is undeniable. Tens of millions of Chinese citizens became NBA fans almost overnight, and he remains one of Asia's most influential athletes of all time.

Jeremy Lin: The Man Behind "Linsanity"

Jeremy Lin, the Harvard-educated Taiwanese-American point guard, went undrafted in 2010 yet still had a massive impact on the NBA. After failing to set the world alight with the Golden State Warriors, Lin joined the New York Knicks in 2011. What happened next was basically a global phenomenon.

Lin exploded onto the NBA scene during six weeks known as "Linsanity." Lin could seemingly do nothing wrong and managed to rack up 38 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, which turned him into a media sensation overnight.

Lin played for several other teams during his nine-year career, including the Toronto Raptors, with whom he won the championship in 2019. Although his 11.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game are rather mediocre, Lin was a genuine NBA star in every sense of the word.

Wang Zhizhi: China's First NBA Star

He may have been selected 36th overall in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft and only started one game during his five years in the NBA, but Wang Zhizhi was a trailblazer. Zhizhi grew up watching television broadcasts of and idolizing Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon, and dreamed of playing in the NBA one day.

The seven-foot-tall center realized his dream when the Dallas Mavericks selected him in the 1999 NBA Draft. With his selection, Zhizhi became the first-ever Chinese player to play in the NBA.

Zhizhi had to wait two years to make his Mavericks debut, and he only played in five games during the 2000-01 season. He played another 55 games, with no starts, the following season before playing for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat before returning to his native China in 2006.

Although Zhizhi's career wasn't stellar, he helped inspire a wave of Chinese athletes to follow their dreams, no matter how unachievable they initially seemed.

Yuta Watanabe: Japan's First Foray Into the NBA

Like Zhizhi was the NBA's first Chinese player, Yuta Watanabe became the first Japanese-born player to play in the NBA. After playing college basketball for George Washington University, where he averaged 10.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, Watanabe went undrafted in 2018. However, the Memphis Grizzlies signed Watanabe to a two-way contract with their NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.

Watanabe played 15 games during his rookie season and another 18 the following season before joining the Toronto Raptors. He enjoyed more minutes on the court over the next couple of years before playing for the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns and returning to Japan after a brief second spell with the Grizzlies during the 2023-24 season.

While Watanabe never became a household name in the United States, he became a role model for young players in Japan who hope to follow in his footsteps.

Rui Hachimura: The Modern Face of Japanese Basketball

Rui Hachimura represents a new generation of Asian NBA players. Born in Japan to a Beninese father and a Japanese mother, Hachimura's mixed heritage and superb skill set have made him a prominent Japanese sports figure.

Hachimua spent three years with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, averaging 12.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists across 102 games. He must have made a strong impression because the Washington Wizards selected him with the ninth overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Japanese star made an immediate impact during his rookie 2019-20 season, averaging 13.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. In January 2022, Hachimura was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he plays today.

Hachimura's rise through the NBA ranks has helped significantly increase Japanese viewership and merchandise sales. Off the court, Hachimua continually works with brands and appears in media campaigns that promote multiculturalism.

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