Record breaking numbers for FIBA International Transfers

The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) and FIBA have published the International Basketball Migration Report (IBMR) 2023 and it contains some all-time highs. 

The 12th edition of the report has harnessed FIBA's knowledge and data on international transfers alongside the renowned analytical expertise of CIES to provide valuable insight into player movement trends and other global basketball tendencies for the period 2022-23.

With the sport's globalization continuing at a relentless pace and its popularity soaring, there are some record-breaking numbers that headlined the main findings of the IBMR 2023.

Another record number of international player transfers

For the first time since the IBMR report was introduced, there were over 11,000 international transfers. Both men and women experienced notable increases in their numbers.
The Americas region remained the main exporter with a positive balance (more exports than imports) of 1,440. The Europe region remained the biggest importer, with 11 of the 15 largest importers coming from the Continent. Spain, Germany and Italy were the top countries in this category.

A record number of games recorded and a bigger impact from foreign players

More games played were recorded in 2022-23 than ever before, with Japan reaching a notable increase of 25% across the last two years at 720. This was followed by China and Argentina with 420 and 380 games, respectively.

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said: "Thanks to the expertise and skills that have contributed to this latest IBMR, we're able to keep our intense focus on exploring the key topics of global player transfers, the migratory balance per country, and the movement of players between countries."

"Passing the landmark of 11,000 transfers and setting a new all-time high is, of course, highly significant and we will be striving to interpret what it means for basketball moving forward.

"With millions of registered players worldwide and backed by FIBA and 212 National Federations, the global nature of the sport is always in our minds. We need to continue being relentless in safeguarding and growing the popularity of basketball around the world."

He added: "This is why we are so dedicated and passionate about investigating, researching and understanding all aspects of player movement to guarantee the continuous evolution of the sport. This is also something strongly linked to the way that FIBA embraces and harnesses technology and innovation – something that may enhance the IBMR itself even more in the future."

Click here to view the full report.

###

About FIBA

FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 212 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

About CIES - The International Centre for Sports Studies

CIES (www.cies.ch) - Creating an impact on the way sport is managed worldwide. The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) is an independent study centre located in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It was created as a Foundation in 1995 by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the University of Neuchâtel, the City and State of Neuchâtel. Using a multi-disciplinary approach (law, sociology, geography, history and economy), CIES provides research and top-level education to the world of sport.