Historic Record at NCAA as Influx of International Players Continues
The 15th International Basketball Migration Report by FIBA and CIES reveals 14,194 international transfers in the 2025-26 period, the highest figure of all time. For the first time ever, the number of international players in NCAA exceeded 1,000 in both the men's (1,055) and women's (1,042) leagues.
FIBA and the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) have published the 15th International Basketball Migration Report. According to the report, 14,194 international transfers took place in the 2025-26 period, the highest figure of all time.
Europe remained the main hub for international transfers, with 5,428 transactions. The United States was involved in 9 of the 10 most frequented transfer routes. The number of African player transfers rose from 124 in 2021 to 534 in 2026. Figures in Asia and Oceania, however, remained flat.
International players increasingly prefer college basketball (NCAA) more than ever, citing playing experience and financial advantages. For the first time, the number of international players in both NCAA Men's (1,055) and NCAA Women's (1,042) surpassed the 1,000 threshold.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis noted that for the second consecutive time, more than 10,000 individual players made cross-border transfers. Zagklis said that FIBA, through its Letter of Clearance (LOC) process and its FIBA Licensed Agent system, will continue working with 212 national federations to protect player welfare.
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