Basketball is not something that most Icelandic people are known about. The joined the FIBA family in 1959, and since then have managed only twice to qualify for the FIBA Eurobasket. Pétur Guðmundsson is their only player that played in the world’s strongest basketball league, the NBA. Other than that they are regulars at the Games of the Small States of Europe where they always have good results.
Iceland NBA Players:
Pétur Guðmundsson
Pétur was born October 30th, 1958 in Iceland. He started his basketball career playing for Mercer Island High School in the US, after which he played college basketball for the University of Washington.
His NBA career began in 1981 when the Portland Trail Blazers selected him. He spent the complete 1981-1982 season with them before being traded to the Detroit Pistons. Before going to the Pistons, he averaged 2.5 rebounds and 3.2 points per game. He played a total of 68 games during that season. In 1986 he had an offer to play for the CBA’s Kansas City Sizzlers, but the deal was a bust due to problems with his work permit. However, after a short trial with the LA Lakers in 1986, he cleared all of his work permit issues and signed a one year contract with them. The next year Pétur got traded to the San Antonio Spurs. After he finished his career as a professional player, he started working as a basketball coach.
As for future Icelandic talent with NBA potential, there are no current prospects.