No10: BEN GORDON, Chicago Bulls

BRITISH talent in the NBA is few and far between, but the Chicago Bulls point guard is making a big name for himself Stateside. Commanding a salary of £2.44m per year, Gordon, 25, was born in London but moved to the US shortly after his birth and grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. He became the first rookie in history to be awarded the NBA Sixth Man accolade the prize given to the leagues most valuable substitute.

No9: DWIGHT HOWARD, Orlando Magic

AN OUTSTANDING high school basketball career saw Howard, 22, given his big break in the NBA by the Magic at centre. He repaid their faith by emerging as one of the top rebound players in the league. Ranked as one of the best in the NBA at field goal percentages, Howards overall play and spectacular dunks have seen him hailed as one of the sports brightest prospects. He also won this years All-Star Slam Dunk contest wearing a Superman cape!

No8: DIRK NOWITZKI, Dallas Mavericks

STANDING at 7ft tall, German superstar Nowitzki, 29, is a seven-time NBA All-Star and was the first European-born player in history to win the NBA MVP accolade when he was awarded the title last year. Regarded as one of the best European basketball players ever, he was a budding tennis star until a growth spurt as a youngster halted his progress but he remains a regular visitor to Wimbledon.

No7: TIM DUNCAN, San Antonio Spurs

REGARDED as one of the best power forwards in NBA history, Duncan, 32, is a four-time NBA champion having won the title in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007 with San Antonio Spurs. He has also won the NBA MVP Award twice and has been voted into ten All-Star games, 11 All-NBA teams and 11 All-Defensive teams. A quiet, unassuming on-court persona belies his unquestioned basketball talent, though he could have been a swimming star for the Virgin Islands in 1992 had Hurricane Hugo not destroyed his countrys only Olympic-sized pool!

No6: SHAQUILLE ONEAL, Phoenix Suns

FOUR-TIME NBA champion ONeal is regarded as one of the most dominant players in the history of the game. The 36-year-old stars at centre for the Suns, after previous stints with the Miami Heat, LA Lakers and the Orlando Magic. ONeal won the championship three times with the Lakers and once with the Heat, and will be looking to add more silverware to his name with his new club after joining them in February.

No5: KEVIN GARNETT, Boston Celtics

CONSIDERED as one of the best all-round players in the NBA, power forward Garnett boasts numerous accomplishments to his name. He was voted the NBAs MVP in 2004 and this season saw him named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He signed the biggest deal in US team sports history in 1997 when he agreed a £72m six-year contract with former side Minnesota Timberwolves which saw him earn £240,000 per week!

No4: LEBRON JAMES, Cleveland Cavaliers

KING JAMES made headline news in 2003 when he signed an unprecedented £45m shoe contract with Nike BEFORE hed played a single NBA game. James, 23, has since set numerous youngest player records, including Rookie of the Year in his debut season, and has received All-NBA and All-Star honours in the last three years. Led the Cavaliers to consecutive playoff appearances in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and looks set for an illustrious career in the NBA.

No3: CHRIS PAUL, New Orleans Hornets

TEN-PIN bowling fanatic Paul, 23, plays point guard for the Hornets, where he is carving out a reputation as one of the most feared players in the NBA. Averaged 21.2 points and 4 rebounds this season, he led the NBA in steals with 2.71 per game and weighed in with around 11.6 assists a match. Selected by NBA coaches to play in the NBA All-Star Game, Paul finished second in the MVP voting this term behind Kobe Bryant, who beat him with a margin of 306 votes.

No2: STEVE NASH, Phoenix Suns

BORN in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1974, Nash, 34, plays a starring role as the Phoenix Suns point guard. He has been instrumental in turning the side into one of the top teams in the Western Conference and has been named the leagues Most Valuable Player twice in 2005 and 2006. He is also widely regarded as one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history.

No1: KOBE BRYANT, Los Angeles Lakers

AWARDED this years Most Valuable Player accolade for leading the Lakers to the 2008 NBA Playoffs, Bryant, 29, rose to prominence in 1996 when he became the first guard in history to be drafted out of high school. Helped his team to three successive NBA championships between 2000 and 2002 and has become the cornerstone of the side. He was the NBAs leading scorer during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns and earns a staggering £9.75m per year.