International-Born Draftees of the 2000s Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Drafted 19th in the 2000 NBA Draft, this Canadian was a bright spot in the notoriously weak draft class, earning an appearance in the 2004 All-Star Game where he led his conference's team in scoring. Who is this all-star?

Answer: Jamaal Magloire

Magloire, a native Torontonian, was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets. He earned his All-Star appearance after the Hornets relocated to New Orleans. He averaged a double-double (13.6 points, 10.3 rebounds) in his all-star season, but never managed to match these numbers in future seasons.

He would later spend stints in Portland, Milwaukee, Dallas, New Jersey, and Miami, playing sparingly as a backup center.

2. One year after Hedo Turkoglu became the first Turkish-born player in the NBA, this Turkish center was drafted 37th overall by the Detroit Pistons. He won an NBA championship in Detroit but is better known for his time spent in Utah. Who is this all-star?

Answer: Mehmet Okur

Okur played alongside Deron Williams where they made the playoff for four consecutive years from 2007-2010. Okur is a noted three-point specialist, a unique trait for a center. In 2010-11, his career took a major dip since he was injured for most of the season, and when he did play, he was relegated to a backup role behind new center Al Jefferson.

3. He was the first international-born player to be drafted first in the NBA Draft. Who is this Chinese center?

Answer: Ming Yao

Ming Yao is an imposing figure at center. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2002 but has had several seasons shortened by injury. Despite only playing five games before the 2011 All-Star Game, he was selected as a starter by fan voters. Kevin Love replaced Yao in the game and Tim Duncan was chosen to replace him as starter.

His height allows him to block shots easily and tower over other players.

4. Perhaps the biggest draft bust of all-time, which Serbian forward was drafted second overall in the 2003 NBA Draft before perennial all-stars like Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh?

Answer: Darko Milicic

While Milicic had become a useful role player, the players that were drafted after him make Detroit's selection look even worse. Chris Bosh and Chris Kaman, both of whom play the same position as Milicic (PF/C) have both been selected to All-Star teams, and Dwyane Wade led his team to an NBA Championship within three years of his selection in the draft. Darko spent three years in Detroit where he played behind Ben Wallace and had very minimal playing time.

He has since played for Orlando, New York, and Minnesota, where he started all 69 games that he played in during the 2010-11 season.

5. This Frenchman was the Most Improved Player during the 2005-06 season and notably has played at most positions during his career from temporary point guard to undersized center. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2003. Who is this player?

Answer: Boris Diaw

Diaw has played for Atlanta, Phoenix, and Charlotte throughout his career. He won the Most Improved Player Award as a member of Phoenix where he started 70 of the 81 games that he played. He has become a consistent starter who can contribute with both rebounds, assists, and points.

6. An international first overall pick, this Australian was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2005. Who is he?

Answer: Andrew Bogut

Bogut played for the Utah Utes in college and was drafted as a sophomore. He consistently racked up double-doubles and is a force in the paint. In April 2010, he suffered a major injury that broke his hand. He was fouled as he finished a dunk and landed on his arm, breaking his hand and injuring his wrist and elbow.

Unfortunately, the injury took him out of action during the playoffs, the Bucks' first since 2005-06.

7. Of what nationality is 2006 13th overall draft pick Thabo Sefolosha?

Answer: Swiss

Sefolosha was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers but traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft night. On the 2008-09 trade deadline, he was traded from the Bulls to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he started all the games that he played in during both the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

8. He was drafted third in 2001 by the Atlanta Hawks, and in 2008 he was traded to another team in a trade that dealt his brother to another team. Who is this Spanish phenom?

Answer: Pau Gasol

Marc was traded to Memphis with three other players and draft picks for his brother, Pau Gasol. He broke Memphis' record for rookie FG percentage, which was previously held by his brother. He won the Silver Medal at the 2008 Olympics, and the Gold Medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship as a member of Team Spain along with his brother.

9. This Tanzanian player became the highest-drafted player to be demoted to the NBA D-League in 2010. He was drafted number two overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009. Who is he?

Answer: Hasheem Thabeet

Thabeet was drafted as a junior out of UConn. In 2011, he was traded to the Houston Rockets with a first round pick in exchange for Shane Battier. Thabeet was more of a long term project for the Rockets at center position.

10. Which of the following picks was not drafted out of Italy?

Answer: The #12 overall pick in 2005

The #12 overall pick in 2005 was Yaroslav Korolev, who only played 34 games in the NBA. The #1 pick in 2006 was Andrea Bargnani, drafted by the Toronto Raptors. He plays "European style", a big man with a shooting touch. The #18 overall pick in 2007 was Marco Belinelli, drafted by the Golden State Warriors.

Another three-point specialist, he would later be traded to the Toronto Raptors and played with Andrea Bargnani. The #6 overall pick in 2008 was Danilo Gallinari, drafted by the New York Knicks.

A third Italian shooter, New York fans booed this pick at the draft, which was held at Madison Square Garden. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets as a part of the trade which sent Carmelo Anthony to New York.

Source: Author gutbusted

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The 2000s introduced several new superstars to the NBA, many of them born outside of the United States. In this quiz, you will be introduced to some of the international big names and big busts of the 2000s.

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