Foreign legion lines up for new NBA season

LOS ANGELES — A diverse foreign legion of 100 players from 37 countries and territories will be represented when the new National Basketball Association season tips off, the league announced Tuesday. An NBA statement said it was the second year in a row where at least 100 or more international players featured in opening night rosters of the world's top basketball league. A record 10 African players and a record nine Brazilian players were among the squads lining up for the start of the new season. Canada was the biggest contributor of overseas players with 12 while France came in second for the second consecutive year with 10 players. There were eight Australian players in the league while Croatia and Spain both contributed four players each. The biggest foreign contingent are on the books of the Toronto Raptors, with seven, while the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz each featured six. There were no players from China or Taiwan in the list released by the NBA. The new season was to get underway lat Tuesday with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers facing the Chicago Bulls while the Golden State Warriors host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Detroit Pistons also face the Atlanta Hawks. Bryant heads group of aging stars Kobe Bryant is still a Los Angeles Laker. NBA fans are anxiously waiting to see what he has left and wondering if this is his last year. It's probably not wise to count him out just yet — or any of the seven former All-Stars who are at least 37 years old and expected to contribute on the court this year. Bryant, the 13th pick in the 1996 draft, is back after missing much of last season with a shoulder injury. He joins Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Manu Ginobili, Paul Pierce and Vince Carter — all drafted between 1995 and 1999. That matches the most former All-Stars at least 37-years old to secure roster spots to start the season since the 2004-2005 campaign, according to STATS. Between them, they have 80 All-Star appearances, 17 NBA titles, five MVP awards and seven finals MVP awards.