--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I remember when I came into the NBA…" description: "\"I remember when I came into the NBA, eighteen years ago, there were maybe nine to twelve international players playing in the NBA. Today we've got more..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/213/dikembe-mutombo-13547_eighteen_i-remember-when-i-came-into-the-nba-eigh_2822850.png" --- # I remember when I came into the NBA, eighteen years ago… ![“I remember when I came into the NBA, eighteen years ago, there were maybe nine to twelve international players playing in the NBA. Today we've got more than 85, so that tells you how our game has grown at that level.” quote by Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/213/dikembe-mutombo-13547_eighteen_i-remember-when-i-came-into-the-nba-eigh_2822850.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/213/dikembe-mutombo-13547_eighteen_i-remember-when-i-came-into-the-nba-eigh_2822850.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/213/dikembe-mutombo-13547_eighteen_i-remember-when-i-came-into-the-nba-eigh_2822850.png) > “I remember when I came into the NBA, eighteen years ago, there were maybe nine to twelve international players playing in the NBA. Today we've got more than 85, so that tells you how our game has grown at that level.” [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The NBA’s international presence has exploded, showing the sport’s global growth. **In simple terms:** NBA now truly global. Key Takeaway Embrace global talent in sports. Themes sports globalization growth diversity basketball Mood optimistic celebratory Type sports cultural When to use this quote - team scouting - coaching - fan engagement - marketing strategies Key Concepts international development team dynamics market expansion Questions to Reflect On - How can teams integrate diverse players? - What benefits does global talent bring? A Different Perspective Cultural differences can affect team cohesion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Came Nba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came-nba-530157/) [Eighteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eighteen/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [International](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international/) [International Players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international-players-2308937/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) [Nba Eighteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba-eighteen-3602655/) [Nine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nine/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Players Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/players-playing-321803/) [Playing Nba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-nba/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Remember when](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-when/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Twelve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twelve/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [IPL has been a great experience. It's nice to play with Indian internationals and international players around the world. It's intriguing to see how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayank-agarwal/ipl-has-been-a-great-experience-it-s-nice-to-play-with-indian/) [Mayank Agarwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayank-agarwal/) > [“I thought that was really ignorant,” Popovich told ESPN about how international players were viewed. “I couldn’t believe that it was a pool that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leadership-case-studies/i-thought-that-was-really-ignorant-popovich-told-espn-about-how/) [Leadership Case Studies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leadership-case-studies/) > [I'm most looking forward to bowling at the international players - it will be a gauge to see where I'm at and if I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/i-m-most-looking-forward-to-bowling-at-the-international-players-it/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) > [It's a disgrace that we have to let our international players go to national teams and we don't receive any compensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/it-s-a-disgrace-that-we-have-to-let-our-international-players-go-to/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [I am of the opinion that the burden of playing games is much too high, especially for international players that also play domestically with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-kroos/i-am-of-the-opinion-that-the-burden-of-playing-games-is-much-too-high/) [Toni Kroos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-kroos/) > [The players are benefiting a lot from the PSL. You saw the young players in the PSL who are now in the senior team.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarfaraz-ahmed/the-players-are-benefiting-a-lot-from-the-psl-you-saw-the-young/) [Sarfaraz Ahmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarfaraz-ahmed/) > [I think the international players, in general, show how basketball is global now. There are players from all the countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-horford/i-think-the-international-players-in-general-show-how-basketball-is/) [Al Horford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-horford/) > [When I came into the NBA, to be around Patrick Ewing and Derek Harper and Doc Rivers and Charles Oakley and Pat Riley and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-williams/when-i-came-into-the-nba-to-be-around-patrick-ewing-and-derek-harper/) [Monty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-williams/) > [Im just trying to be positive. I like the guys (Im) around. Even though were not at the record Id like to be, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/im-just-trying-to-be-positive-i-like-the-guys-im-around-even-though/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I mean, I was always hoping to play in the NBA. Of course, when that thing happened, you're like, 'Finally, I did it, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goran-dragic/i-mean-i-was-always-hoping-to-play-in-the-nba-of-course-when-that/) [Goran Dragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goran-dragic/) > [When I came into the NBA, coaches wanted you to shoot a midrange shot or two before you shot your 3 - you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-korver/when-i-came-into-the-nba-coaches-wanted-you-to-shoot-a-midrange-shot/) [Kyle Korver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-korver/) > [When I came into the NBA from Stanford, I had already decided what type of player I would be. I wanted to be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/when-i-came-into-the-nba-from-stanford-i-had-already-decided-what/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [I came into the NBA not looking at it as a job but the same way I did when I was playing at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jackson/i-came-into-the-nba-not-looking-at-it-as-a-job-but-the-same-way-i-did/) [Stephen Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jackson/) > [It's just kind of ironic with how I came into the NBA with all the expectations. You would've thought coming in the way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-livingston/it-s-just-kind-of-ironic-with-how-i-came-into-the-nba-with-all-the/) [Shaun Livingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-livingston/) > [I'm just trying to be positive. I like the guys I'm around. Even though we're not at the record I'd like to be, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-just-trying-to-be-positive-i-like-the-guys-i-m-around-even-though/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) ## More by Dikembe Mutombo > [Every day, the sun comes out and the sky's always blue. That's what I miss about Denver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/every-day-the-sun-comes-out-and-the-sky-s-always-blue-that-s-what-i/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [I don't think God said we should all be soft. My job is to compete, and the best prevails. I will continue to play,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/i-don-t-think-god-said-we-should-all-be-soft-my-job-is-to-compete-and/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [I am not in politics. 'President Mutombo?' No, no, no. There has never been a politician in my family, and I am not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/i-am-not-in-politics-president-mutombo-no-no-no-there-has-never-been/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [I cannot forget the place that I come from. The Congo is much in need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/i-cannot-forget-the-place-that-i-come-from-the-congo-is-much-in-need/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [When you take the elevator to the top, please remember to send it back down so someone else might use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/when-you-take-the-elevator-to-the-top-please-remember-to-send-it-back/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [I know the president is quick. I have friends who played with him during the campaign; they say he's very good. I told the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/i-know-the-president-is-quick-i-have-friends-who-played-with-him/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [My favorite memory is my five years with the Nuggets. From my first day to my last day is a great memory. There wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/my-favorite-memory-is-my-five-years-with-the-nuggets-from-my-first/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [The NBA has more than 435 players and there are at least 100-some players doing more than expected. Shaq is doing a lot. Dwight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/the-nba-has-more-than-435-players-and-there-are-at-least-100-some/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [When I go to China, people call me 'Uncle Mo' because they refer me as Yao Ming's uncle. I'm pleased to be his uncle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/when-i-go-to-china-people-call-me-uncle-mo-because-they-refer-me-as/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [I usually just speak in English when I'm on the basketball court. For some reason, my mind never even tried to cross any other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/i-usually-just-speak-in-english-when-i-m-on-the-basketball-court-for/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [Food - there's no greater gift...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/food-there-s-no-greater-gift/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [I've always had a passion for giving back. It's a family tradition that comes from my devout parents. They were always giving back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/i-ve-always-had-a-passion-for-giving-back-it-s-a-family-tradition/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [When I travel around the globe, I try as hard as I can to represent the NBA and the game of basketball to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/when-i-travel-around-the-globe-i-try-as-hard-as-i-can-to-represent/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [People wonder why I love Africa so much. I say this is where I was born and raised. My roots are in Africa; that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/people-wonder-why-i-love-africa-so-much-i-say-this-is-where-i-was/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) > [After I made it to the NBA, I said that I didn't want to be the last player from Africa. After my rookie year,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dikembe-mutombo/after-i-made-it-to-the-nba-i-said-that-i-didn-t-want-to-be-the-last/) [Dikembe Mutombo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) [Explore all 50 Dikembe Mutombo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dikembe-mutombo/) ## More Eighteen quotes > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [By the age of eighteen, a human has acquired enough joy and heartache to provide the food of reflection for a century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/by-the-age-of-eighteen-a-human-has-acquired-enough-joy-and-heartache/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) > [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“It was only as he put his hand on the door that he became aware of complete silence beyond it, a silence which he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/it-was-only-as-he-put-his-hand-on-the-door-that-he-became-aware-of/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [“She escaped from the schools when she turned eighteen. And she went on to be a Doctor, because the only way to fight what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-bobet/she-escaped-from-the-schools-when-she-turned-eighteen-and-she-went-on/) [Leah Bobet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-bobet/) > [“On my birthday, every year since I turned eighteen, she called me at twelve twenty in the morning to wish me happy birthday and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-a-webb/on-my-birthday-every-year-since-i-turned-eighteen-she-called-me-at/) [T.A. Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-a-webb/) > [“So, what do you know about life when you’re eighteen? The rest of your life is nothing but a bunch of big beautiful tomorrows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-abrams/so-what-do-you-know-about-life-when-you-re-eighteen-the-rest-of-your/) [Lauren Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-abrams/) > [My first real acting job was 'Skins' at eighteen years old, and I just kind of grew into myself in those two years; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-pasqualino/my-first-real-acting-job-was-skins-at-eighteen-years-old-and-i-just/) [Luke Pasqualino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-pasqualino/) > [Eighteen months before I was born, my mother was in Auschwitz. She weighed 49 pounds. She always told me that God saved her so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/eighteen-months-before-i-was-born-my-mother-was-in-auschwitz-she/) [Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/) > [“Forever feels a long time when you're eighteen. 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Four weeks before Cannes, she turned eighteen. She… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-winding-refn/elle-fanning-was-fifteen-when-we-started-the-neon-demon-she-turned/) [Nicolas Winding Refn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-winding-refn/) > [Anyone that has come to America past the age of eighteen will be able to understand when I say that you can never shake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-yan/anyone-that-has-come-to-america-past-the-age-of-eighteen-will-be-able/) [Martin Yan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-yan/) [Browse all 465 Eighteen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eighteen/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I remember when I came into the NBA, eighteen years ago, there were maybe nine to twelve international players playing in the NBA. 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