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Denver Nuggets: Our Top 5 International Players of All Time

By Kyle Standfield

Sep 11, 2015; Springfield, MA, USA; Dikembe Mutombo speaks during the 2015 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2015; Springfield, MA, USA; Dikembe Mutombo speaks during the 2015 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) guards Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) guards Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mentions

 Eduardo Nájera

The first Mexican to be drafted in the NBA, Nájera played in Denver for four seasons between 2005-09 under then Head Coach George Karl. At 6’8″ Nájera played both forward positions, mainly as a back up for long time starter Kenyon Martin.

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While being great on the defensive end, Nájera never possessed any single outstanding signature skill. He made a name for himself by being an extremely hard worker on the floor. He played with unparalleled passion, hustled hard and did the things others wouldn’t. Nájera was the type of player you loved having on your team.

After 14 seasons playing for six NBA teams, Eduardo Nájera retired posting career averages of 4.9ppg, 3.7rpg.

Kosta Koufos

Upon learning of his involvement in the blockbuster Carmelo Anthony trade in 2011, Kosta Koufos drove himself from Minnesota to Denver overnight to be with his new team.

During his time with the Nuggets, the Greek/American went from the end of the bench to starting center on the record setting 57 win 2012/13 Denver Nuggets squad. Always reliable, Koufos’ best individual season also came during the 2012/13 season, averaging 8.0ppg to go along with 6.9rpg.

Koufos featured a nice touch around the basket and always seemed to quietly post solid numbers. After three successful years in Denver he was traded to Memphis in exchange for Darrell Arthur.

Nikola Jokić

Yes, Jokić has played just the single season in Denver, but what a season it was. ‘The Joker’ finished third in Rookie of the Year voting this last season after being selected with the number 41 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

Jokić possesses great passing out of the post and an ever improving hook shot with both hands. He is sound defensively, runs the floor well, possesses a developing outside shot and has shown an incredible work ethic so far.

After averaging 10.0ppg to go along with 7.0rpg, and with his future as the Nuggets center set, it’s hard not to get excited about this 21 year-old.

Next: #5

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