Denver Nuggets: Our Top 5 International Players of All Time

Kiki Vandeweghe- #2

Kiki Vandeweghe loves the now classic Denver Nuggets rainbow skyline jerseys. The debut of the rainbow skyline came at the beginning of the 1982/83 season, the same year Vandeweghe made his first All-Star Game appearance.

That year, Kiki averaged 26.7ppg, good for 2nd in the league. The next year, Vandeweghe upped that average to a career best 29.4ppg and once again represented the Nuggets at the All-Star Game. After that year, Vandeweghe took his talents to Portland, and never again was he selected for that prestigious event.

Was it a coincidence that as soon as he stopped wearing the rainbow skyline he never again made an All-Star Game? Probably, yes.

But it’s still fun to speculate. Born in West Germany, Kiki Vandeweghe spent four seasons in Denver between 1980-84. A 6’8″ forward, Vandeweghe was an exceptional shooter. He had range out to the elbow but produced most of his points driving to the hole, catching in the paint, or working his way to the free throw line. He employed a clean set of hands and was a good enough athlete to be able to run the floor and out quick bigger defenders.

After his playing career, Vandeweghe returned to Denver as the General Manager between 2001-06 and is currently the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the NBA. He posted career averages of 19.7ppg and 3.4rpg.

Next: Dikembe Mutombo