Majority of NBA's Top Earners Have Played for USA Basketball

NEW YORK (USA) - A recent report by Sports Illustrated highlights that nine of the ten highest earners in NBA history have represented the USA in international competition. The list includes notable players who have not only excelled in the NBA but also contributed significantly to the national team.

1. **Stephen Curry** - Career Earnings: $649 million. Last FIBA Event: 2024 Olympics. Curry is recognized as the biggest earner in NBA history and has been crucial for the national team since debuting at the 2007 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. In the 2024 Olympics, he had an outstanding performance, scoring 36 points in the semi-finals against Serbia and 24 points in the final against France.

2. **Kevin Durant** - Career Earnings: $591 million. Last FIBA Event: 2024 Olympics. Durant's international resume includes winning the FIBA World Cup in 2010, where he was named MVP, and multiple Olympic gold medals. He is the all-time leading scorer for Team USA.

3. **LeBron James** - Career Earnings: $589 million. Last FIBA Event: 2024 Olympics. James has achieved considerable success with the national team, capturing multiple gold medals, including the most recent in 2024 while also being named the tournament MVP.

4. **Kawhi Leonard** - Career Earnings: $541 million. Leonard has not participated in a FIBA event with the USA team.

5. **Devin Booker** - Career Earnings: $520 million. Last FIBA Event: 2024 Olympics. Booker was a significant contributor in the 2021 Olympics, joining the team after competing in the NBA Finals and helping secure gold medals in both 2021 and 2024.

6. **Paul George** - Career Earnings: $517 million. Last FIBA Event: 2016 Olympics. George was a key player in the 2016 Olympics but missed the chance to compete in 2014 due to injury.

7. **Donovan Mitchell** - Career Earnings: $514 million. Last FIBA Event: 2019 World Cup. Mitchell averaged 13.1 points per game in the 2019 tournament, with a standout performance of 29 points against France.

8. **Joel Embiid** - Career Earnings: $509 million. Last FIBA Event: 2024 Olympics. Embiid had a pivotal role in the 2024 Olympics, notably scoring 19 points in the semi-final win against Serbia.

9. **James Harden** - Career Earnings: $508 million. Last FIBA Event: 2014 World Cup. Harden led the USA in scoring during the 2014 World Cup and helped secure the championship.

10. **Anthony Davis** - Career Earnings: $485 million. Last FIBA Event: 2024 Olympics. Davis returned to the USA team in 2024 after a decade and played a significant role in winning gold.

This analysis affirms the close ties between NBA success and contributions to international basketball, particularly for USA players.