There comes a time in most NBA players’ careers when they can no longer make a roster.
For some, it’s age 40. For others, it is much earlier.
Fortunately, for many NBA players, there’s another option to still compete at a high level: naturalization. According to FIBA rules, each country is allowed to naturalize one foreign-born player on their national team roster. These players do not need to have previously lived in the country or even have previous ties to that country. They just need to be able to play basketball at the highest level.
Here’s a look at some ex-NBA players who have undergone the naturalization process to compete in international ball.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson knew he wasn’t going to be donning a Team USA jersey any time soon, but that didn’t stop him from playing against the best.
“I wanted to play in the World Cup, so my agent reached out and told me that they were looking for someone to be their naturalized player,” said Hollis-Jefferson. That’s how easy it was for RHJ to become a Jordanian citizen.
Jordan certainly made the right move, naturalizing Hollis-Jefferson.
The Pennsylvania native put on a show for Jordan at the 2023 Fiba World Cup, even drawing comparisons to Kobe for his look, playstyle, and volume scoring.
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He went on to average 23.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in five games in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and plans to compete with Jordan for years to come.
Serge Ibaka
The 2019 NBA champion and 3x All-Defensive team member has quite the story.
A native of the Congo, Ibaka moved to Spain in 2007 to play for a second-division league team. After catching the eye of some NBA scouts, Ibaka was drafted 24th overall in 2008 but decided to remain in Spain to continue to develop.
In 2011, after a phenomenal start to his NBA career with the Thunder, Ibaka had his sights set on playing in EuroBasket 2011. In order to be selected as part of the Spanish National Team, Ibaka was naturalized by Spain, granting his Spanish citizenship.
This proved to be a good move for Spain, as they went on to win gold at the 2011 EuroBasket and take home silver at the 2012 Olympics, with Ibaka playing a vital role in bringing home the hardware.
In a full circle moment, Ibaka returned to Spain this summer when he signed with Real Madrid in July.
Anthony Randolph
The former lottery pick had quite the unconventional journey to becoming a European basketball legend.
Randolph was born in Germany, attended high school in Texas, and attended college in Louisiana. He was drafted by the Warriors in 2008. But the best part of his basketball career began when he returned to Europe. After bouncing around the NBA, Randolph decided to try his luck overseas.
In 2017, he was naturalized by Slovenia, a move that immediately paid dividends for both Randolph and the Slovenian national team, who won gold at the 2017 EuroBasket later that year. Randolph would go on to add to his hardware case, winning two EuroLeague championships with Real Madrid.
A teammate of Luka Doncic’s on both the Slovenian nation team and Real Madrid. Doncic could not have had higher praise for Randolph when he retired earlier this year. Speaking of his contributions to winning Slovenia’s first-ever EuroBasket Championship, Doncic said, “Without him, we couldn’t have done it.”
After a storied 15-year career, Randolph is officially stepping away from the game in December. Even after retirement, though, players like Randolph have the opportunity to gain dual citizenship as well as benefit from dual citizenship opportunities.
Citizenship by Investment Programs
Citizenship by investment programs (CBI) offers a pathway to gaining dual citizenship for retired athletes. Through these programs, players can invest in real estate or national funds, providing them with a new opportunity for global mobility. Each option has its benefits, affecting how they engage and benefit from new citizenship.
These programs often require investments in real estate, government bonds, or national economic funds. Each option has its own process, cost, and timeline for citizenship.
Some popular countries, like Portugal and Saint Lucia, offer well-regarded CBI programs. As retired athletes, choosing the right program means balancing the costs and benefits to make sure it aligns with their goals. We need to look at how long the process takes, the strength of the passport obtained, and any residency they might require.
Working with golden visa consultants, Global Residence Index, can streamline this process. Their expertise helps players navigate the complexities of each program, ensuring they make informed decisions that align with their lifestyles and aspirations.
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