Jalen Rose reveals one skill American prospects need to improve to bridge gap with others
Basketball has become global, as countries outside the United States have been catching up in creating talents to play in the NBA. As the league welcomes new foreign talents, Jalen Rose revealed a skill American players must work on to be televant in an ever-evolving game.
Jalen Rose, former NBA player-turned-basketball analyst, suggested that American-born players need to be complete players, especially in the offensive end, to bridge the gap between the Americans and the elite European players in the league like Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.
“So now, what can American-born players do to bridge the gap? Be complete players. In particular, on the offense. Look at a guy like Luka (Doncic). He can play on the post, turn over both shoulders, shoot in the mid-range, shoot from three, rebounds, passes, score, and clutch. Be a complete player,” said Rose.
Jalen Rose also advised young players to work on more than just one skill and add dynamics to being a specialist on the court. He expressed that he wants to see players from the current generation learn to be effective even if they are not the first option on the court.
“I see players that are being drilled to be specialists…it’s okay to have a trademark skill, but my advice is work on your complete game like cutting off the ball, and being effective…like still moving, still being the decoy when you need to,” he added.
Last season, there were 125 international players from 40 countries in the NBA, per the league.
The last three NBA MVPs Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, are not from the United States. This year’s MVP voting didn't feature any American player in the top-three.
Jalen Rose warns American players that NBA jobs could be extinct if they don't work hard
In recent years, the NBA dream has never been more attainable for international players. International prospects have been flying to the U.S. to pursue their NBA careers as the sport reaps the rewards of a globalized game.
For Jalen Rose, it means Americans need to step up their work ethic to not let the international players take over most of the roster spots in the NBA, posting a stern warning on X about the game's future.
“Dear US born basketball players. Put in that work tirelessly and show discipline otherwise NBA jobs are becoming extinct,” he said.
The total number of international players has grown after the 2024 NBA draft, with French teenagers Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr. Last year, France’s wunderkind Victor Wembanyama entered the league.
There were also at least 10 international players picked in the draft every year since 2000, and at least two in the top-10.