North America dominates the Endesa League at the start of the season

The first dates of the Liga Endesa 26/27 calendar have made evident a trend that was already emerging in the previous season: the massive presence of talent from the United States. Up to 240 players have accumulated minutes in these initial matches, and among them, American nationality clearly leads. According to data compiled by El Rincón del SuperManager, 67 of those 240 participants were born in the United States, which represents exactly 28% of the total. This figure places Americans in the top position, significantly surpassing the 58 Spanish players who have had the opportunity to play, equivalent to 24% of the total.

The consolidation of a historical trend

What has occurred at the start of this season is not a coincidence or a one-time anomaly. During the 25/26 season, the United States had already managed to position itself ahead of Spain in the overall count: 84 players born on U.S. soil compared to 82 Spaniards. This was a historic milestone, the first time that Americans surpassed national players after both nationalities tied with 75 representatives each in the 24/25 season. The change is especially significant when analyzing the historical evolution of the Liga Endesa. Just a few years ago, in the 20/21 season, the proportion was radically opposite: 93 Spanish players versus 69 Americans. Looking back further to the 10/11 season, the difference was even more drastic: 109 Spaniards against 53 Americans. The transformation of the competition has been gradual but unstoppable.

It is important to emphasize that all these data come from the conclusion of previous seasons, at which point late signings and debuts of players from lower categories are accounted for. This means that the current figures at the start of the 26/27 season could experience variations as the course progresses, although the general trend seems consolidated.

The system of non-EU players and passport creativity

The immediate question that arises is how it is possible to have so many Americans in the competition if the regulations of the Liga Endesa strictly limit the number of non-EU players. According to current regulations, each team can simultaneously field a maximum of two non-EU players. With eighteen teams in the competition, this should mean a theoretical maximum of 36 players with U.S. passports. However, the reality is more complex and revealing.

Many of the players born in the United States compete in the Liga Endesa under passports from other nationalities. This phenomenon occurs because they hold dual nationality or have acquired citizenship from other countries. In this way, they do not occupy a non-EU slot and can play without restrictions. The list of cases is extensive and varied. Kyle Kuric represents Slovakia, Tim Abromaitis Luxembourg, David Kravish Bulgaria, Kwan Cheatham Italy, and Jonah Radebaugh Montenegro. Kevin Punter plays under the Serbian flag, while Joel Soriano does so for the Dominican Republic. Luke Petrasek represents Poland, and Mark Hughes, curiously, competes with a Spanish passport.

The complete list of Americans with other nationalities

The roster continues with names like Chase Audige and Justin Minaya (Jamaica), DJ Stewart and TJ Shorts (North Macedonia), Umoja Gibson and David Kravish (Bulgaria), Wes Iwundu (Nigeria), Damion Baugh (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Paul Jorgensen (Italy), Darius McGhee (Armenia), Ethan Happ and Nate Reuvers (North Macedonia), Souley Boum (Guinea), Stanley Umude (Nigeria), Tyler Kalinoski (Belgium), Dylan Osetkowski (Germany), Wesley Van Beck (Azerbaijan), Kobi Simmons (Ivory Coast), Josh Nebo (Slovenia), Mo Gueye (Senegal), John Shurna (Lithuania), Omari Moore (North Macedonia), and Chibuzo Agbo (Nigeria). All of them were born in the United States but compete under other flags.

Americans occupying non-EU slots

Alongside these cases, there is another group of American players who do occupy the non-EU slot in their respective teams. Names like Boogie Ellis, Tyrese Martin, Justin Robinson, Caleb Homesley, Justin Jaworski, Mac McClung, Stanley Whittaker, James Batemon, Timmy Allen, JD Notae, and Kenneth Faried make up this group. Also included are TJ Bamba, Kyle Guy, and Vince Hunter, who play for La Laguna Tenerife, a team that has three non-EU players simultaneously in its ranks.

The list expands with Alonzo Verge Jr., George Conditt, Brandon Childress, Alex Barcello, Cameron McGriff, James Akinjo, Nick Smith Jr., Chuma Okeke, Damian Jones, DJ Steward, Tevin Brown, Rasir Bolton, Darrun Hilliard, Kaiser Gates, Matt Thomas, Cameron Hunt, Kameron Taylor, and Armoni Brooks. All of them are American-born and occupy a non-EU slot in the Liga Endesa.

This dual representation system reflects the sophistication of modern professional basketball, where players and teams seek to optimize every loophole in the regulations to maximize available talent. The Liga Endesa has thus become an attractive destination for American talent, both for those with alternative passports and for those competing under their original nationality.

Future perspectives and consolidation of the phenomenon

The massive presence of American players in the Liga Endesa represents a fundamental change in the structure of the Spanish competition. A decade ago, the league was fundamentally Spanish with limited international presence. Now, nearly one in three players participating is American. This shift reflects both the quality of American basketball and the economic capacity of Spanish teams to attract elite foreign talent.

The trend appears consolidated, although the exact figures may fluctuate as the season progresses. What is certain is that the Liga Endesa has transformed into an increasingly internationalized competition, with the United States as the main supplier of players. This reality raises questions about the future of Spanish basketball, the development of local talent, and the competitive balance of the league, topics that will undoubtedly be the subject of debate in the coming years.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Norteamérica domina la Liga Endesa en el inicio de temporada