The numbers speak for themselves: 264 international student-athletes make up roughly 15% of all players competing in this year's tournament, further underscoring the global reach of NCAA basketball. For a deeper look at the worldwide influence on March Madness, check out this breakdown of international representation in the tournament.
Now, let's spotlight 10 international student-athletes — five men and five women, in no particular order — who could shape the madness this March.
Men's players:
- Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (New Zealand) — UC San Diego
- The 6-foot-6 senior guard leads the Tritons with an impressive 19.5 points per game. His versatile play has been pivotal in UC San Diego's strong season, earning him Big West Conference Player of the Year honors.
- Vladislav Goldin (Russia) — Michigan
- At 7-foot-1, Goldin averages 16.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, showcasing his dominance in the paint and earning him second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. Transferring from Florida Atlantic, Goldin has been instrumental in Michigan's return to the NCAA tournament.
- V.J. Edgecombe (Bahamas) — Baylor
- The Big 12 Conference's Freshman of the Year, Edgecombe contributes 15.0 points per game and is renowned for his defensive prowess, leading the team with 66 steals. His athleticism and intensity make him a potential future lottery pick in the NBA draft.
- Egor Demin (Russia) — Brigham Young
- Another standout Big 12 freshman, Demin averages 10.3 points per game and has dished out 163 assists this season. His playmaking abilities have been crucial in orchestrating BYU's offense and earned him Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors.
- Kasparas Jakucionis (Lithuania) — Illinois
- Another freshman, Jakucionis contributes 15.0 points per game and has grabbed 174 rebounds while dishing out 144 assists, underscoring his versatility. The Lithuanian's international experience and skill set have been vital to Illinois' success this season, earning him third-team All-Big Ten honors and All-Freshman Team conference recognition.
Ten other names to watch: Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard (Canada), Baylor's Norchad Omier (Nicaragua), Utah State's Ian Martinez (Costa Rica), Bryant's Rafael Pinzon (Puerto Rico), Louisville's Reyne Smith (Australia), New Mexico's Nelly Junior Joseph (Nigeria), Robert Morris' Alvaro Folgueiras (Spain), VCU's Max Shulga (Ukraine), Saint Mary's (California) Augustas Marciulionis (Lithuania), Duke's Tyrese Proctor (Australia).
Women's players:
- Georgia Amoore (Australia) — Kentucky
- The Southeastern Conference's Newcomer of the Year, Amoore leads Kentucky with 19.1 points and 6.9 assists per game. Her transition from Virginia Tech has been seamless, earning her a spot on the All-SEC First Team and as a Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist.
- Syla Swords (Canada) — Michigan
- Swords made a remarkable freshman debut, averaging 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. The youngest basketball player in Canadian history to compete in the Olympics, Swords' standout performance this season earned her second-team All-Big Ten and All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors.
- Ioanna Krimili (Greece) — California
- On a team filled with international talent, Krimili leads the group with 14.2 points per game and has made a team-best 95 3-pointers this season, which is tied for seventh nationally. Her sharpshooting and 103 assists highlight her as a key playmaker for California, earning her second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors.
- Paula Suarez (Spain) — George Mason
- Suarez has been the heartbeat of George Mason's historic run, leading the Patriots to their first NCAA tournament appearance in women's basketball. The Spanish standout and second-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection has been a dynamic floor general, averaging 11.9 points, 4.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
- Yarden Garzon (Israel) — Indiana
- Garzon contributes a team-best 14.5 points per game, along with 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals. A 42% 3-point shooter, her all-around skills have been instrumental in Indiana's strong performance this season and earned her second-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Ten other names to watch: Oregon State's Kelsey Rees (Australia), Duke's Toby Fournier (Canada), California's Marta Suarez (Spain), Mississippi State's Madina Okot (Kenya), FDU's Teneisia Brown (Jamaica), Fairfield's Izabela Nicoletti Leite (Brazil), California's Lulu Twidale (Australia), Utah's Maye Toure (France), South Florida's Mama Dembele (Spain), UCLA's Elina Aarnisalo (Finland).
