A fan clad in a bright yellow #23 NBA Jerseys (Lakers jersey) strolled down Rue du Molinet, a charming cobblestone street in the heart of Lille, eyes scanning the candy shops and kebab stands. Spotting what he was looking for, he pointed to a fellow fan seated outside a fast-food stir-fry spot and shouted, with a heavy accent, “LEBRON JAMES!”
The second fan, donning a royal purple #23 jersey of his own, responded in kind, his accent different but his enthusiasm identical, “LEBRON JAMES!” A couple of fist-pumps later, they went their separate ways, united by their shared admiration for the NBA’s all-time scoring champion and GOAT contender.
These fans, like many others in Lille, had gathered to watch LeBron James and the U.S. men’s basketball team take on Serbia. They were among hundreds—perhaps even thousands—of international NBA enthusiasts proudly wearing the jerseys of their favorite players.
For American fans familiar with the NBA, witnessing the variety of jerseys at an international event like the Olympics is like a nostalgic walk down memory lane. You might spot a vintage Vince Carter Raptors jersey, complete with the iconic dribbling dinosaur, or a Tracy McGrady Orlando Magic jersey. There could even be a Dominique Wilkins Hawks jersey from the ‘80s or a rainbow of Shaquille O’Neal’s various team jerseys.
Beyond LeBron, Steph Curry’s jersey is another fan favorite in Lille, with spectators donning every version of the Warriors’ City Edition jerseys, alongside the traditional home and away styles. Given the Olympic setting, there’s also a vibrant mix of Team USA jerseys, each celebrating legends like Jordan, Bird, Bryant, or Iverson in the classic red, white, and blue.
Just like their American counterparts, international NBA fans are well-informed, following all the latest gossip, behind-the-scenes drama, and storylines that often steal the spotlight from the games themselves. The crowd in Lille greeted Kevin Durant warmly during his first game since the playoffs and wasn’t shy about expressing their displeasure toward Joel Embiid for choosing to represent the United States over France.
This widespread fandom is the culmination of the NBA’s long-term effort to globalize the game. From the iconic 1992 Dream Team to ongoing goodwill tours and the rise of international stars like Nikola Jokić, Embiid, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s appeal has transcended borders. The numbers back this up—more than 75 percent of the league’s social media followers are from outside the United States, and the NBA has even started scheduling marquee games in afternoon time slots to cater to international viewers. The evidence of this global reach is plain to see on the streets.
The players have noticed the surge in international support as well. “I looked around, and I see so many different NBA jerseys in the stands,” Kevin Durant said after Sunday’s win over Serbia at Pierre-Mauroy Stadium. “I just love when we’re bringing people from all over the world, different walks of life, together like this.”
One final thought: The NBA’s global jersey domination is impressive, but it’s not yet complete. Right now, the fandom is earnest and genuine. The true sign of the NBA’s global conquest? When international fans start rocking jerseys of stars on their most obscure teams—like Patrick Ewing on the Sonics, Hakeem Olajuwon on the Raptors, or Rasheed Wallace on the Hawks—then we’ll know the NBA has become an unstoppable global force. The final stage of fandom is embracing the deep-cut in-joke, and international fans are well on their way to joining in.
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