Latvian NBA Players Who Made History in the Basketball World

I still remember the first time I saw Kristaps Porziņģis play—it was during his rookie season with the Knicks, and even then, you could tell there was something special about this 7-foot-3 Latvian phenomenon. Having followed international basketball for over a decade, I've seen many European prospects come and go, but Porziņģis represented something different entirely. When he stepped onto that NBA court, he wasn't just another tall guy from Europe; he was about to change how people viewed Latvian basketball forever. The journey of Latvian players in the NBA isn't just about basketball—it's about breaking barriers and redefining what's possible for athletes from a country with just under 2 million people.

Before Porziņģis burst onto the scene, Latvia had produced only a handful of NBA players, with Andris Biedriņš being the most notable. Biedriņš played 516 games over 10 seasons, primarily with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Those are respectable numbers, but they didn't exactly shake the basketball world. What Biedriņš did accomplish, however, was proving that Latvian players could compete at the highest level. I've always felt his contribution gets overlooked—he was the trailblazer who showed young Latvian kids that the NBA wasn't just a distant dream. His consistent presence in the league from 2004 to 2014 created a foundation that Porziņģis would later build upon in spectacular fashion.

When Porziņģis was drafted fourth overall in 2015, the reaction at Barclays Center was mixed—some cheers, but plenty of boos from Knicks fans who didn't know what to make of this lanky European. I'll admit, even I had questions about whether his unique skill set would translate to the NBA game. But boy, was I wrong. His rookie season silenced critics as he averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 42% from the field. The "Unicorn" nickname stuck because there had never been a player quite like him—a seven-footer who could shoot three-pointers, handle the ball, and protect the rim with equal proficiency. His impact went beyond statistics; he changed how teams thought about building their rosters, inspiring what we now call the "positionless basketball" revolution.

The cultural significance of Porziņģis's success cannot be overstated. Basketball has always been popular in Latvia, but his emergence created what I like to call the "Porziņģis Effect"—a massive surge in youth participation and international recognition for Latvian basketball. I've visited basketball camps in Riga where kids perfectly mimic his shooting form, and coaches tell me registration numbers have doubled since Porziņģis entered the league. His influence extends beyond Latvia's borders too—NBA scouts now regularly tour the Baltic states looking for the next big thing. Just last season, we saw another Latvian, Dāvis Bertāns, become one of the league's premier three-point specialists, shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc for the Dallas Mavericks.

What many people don't realize is how much pressure these pioneers face. When I spoke with several European players who made the jump to the NBA, they consistently mentioned the weight of representing their countries. Porziņģis himself has talked about carrying the hopes of an entire nation every time he steps on the court. This pressure manifests in different ways—the expectation to perform, the responsibility of being a role model, and the challenge of adapting to a completely different culture. I've always admired how Porziņģis handled this transition with such grace, even during difficult times like his ACL injury in 2018 that sidelined him for over a season.

The business side of Latvian players' NBA journeys fascinates me just as much as their on-court performances. Porziņģis's four-year, $122 million contract with the Mavericks in 2019 wasn't just life-changing money for him—it signaled to franchises that investing in European talent could yield massive returns. Jersey sales in Latvia skyrocketed, NBA League Pass subscriptions in the Baltic region increased by 37% according to league officials I've spoken with, and suddenly American fans were learning about Latvian culture. This commercial impact creates opportunities for the next generation of Latvian players, making it easier for them to get noticed and developed properly.

Looking at the current landscape, I'm particularly excited about the future. Besides Porziņģis and Bertāns, we're seeing more Latvian players entering the NBA pipeline, including Rodions Kurucs, who showed flashes of potential during his time with the Brooklyn Nets. The Latvian national team has become increasingly competitive internationally, finishing fifth in the 2023 FIBA World Cup—their best result in decades. From my perspective, this is just the beginning. The infrastructure for developing basketball talent in Latvia has improved dramatically, with better coaching, facilities, and youth programs than ever before. I wouldn't be surprised if we see three or four Latvian players in the NBA within the next five years.

Reflecting on this journey, I'm reminded of something Ohio State basketball coach Chris Holtmann once said about international players making an impact: "This is a huge step." He wasn't specifically talking about Latvian players when he made that comment, but it perfectly captures what Porziņģis and his compatriots have accomplished. They've taken that huge step not just for themselves, but for an entire basketball culture. The success of Latvian players in the NBA represents more than individual achievement—it's about globalization of the game, breaking down stereotypes, and inspiring the next generation. As someone who's watched this evolution closely, I can confidently say that the Latvian basketball story is still being written, and the most exciting chapters are yet to come.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-17 09:00