Six Nigerians Headline Africa's Strong Showing in 2026 NBA Draft

Posted : 26 June 2026

Nigeria emerged as the biggest African success story at the 2026 NBA Draft after six players of Nigerian descent were selected across the two rounds held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The impressive haul also highlighted the growing influence of African talent in global basketball, with more than 10 players of African heritage hearing their names called during the event.

Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie became the first Nigerian-linked player selected after going 17th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a pre-arranged trade. His draft rights are expected to move through Memphis before ultimately landing with the Detroit Pistons. Later in the first round, St. John's forward Zuby Ejiofor was chosen 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks after an outstanding college season that saw him emerge as one of the Big East's top performers.

The second round brought more success for Nigeria. Kentucky guard Otega Oweh was selected 41st overall by the Miami Heat before his rights were included in a planned trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tennessee forward Felix Okpara followed at No. 46 to the Orlando Magic, while London-born forward Tobi Lawal went 48th overall to the Dallas Mavericks. Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso completed the Nigerian contingent after being selected 53rd overall by the Houston Rockets, with his draft rights also set to be moved through a series of trades.

Okpara and Onyenso also made history by becoming only the second pair of Nigerian-born players selected in the same NBA Draft. Onyenso's journey was particularly significant as he became the third graduate of NBA Academy Africa and the 15th overall NBA Academy alumnus to be drafted into the league. The Owerri-born center developed his game at the academy in Senegal before continuing his basketball career in the United States.

Several other players with African heritage also featured prominently in the draft. AJ Dybantsa, who has family ties to the Republic of the Congo and Jamaica, was among the headline selections. Nate Ament became only the second player of Rwandan heritage to reach the NBA through the draft, while Jack Kayil, who has Ghanaian roots, and Narcisse Ngoy, whose family is from the Central African Republic, also secured NBA opportunities.

The strong African representation reflects the continued growth of basketball development programmes across the continent and the increasing number of African-born and African-descended players making an impact at the highest level. Nigeria's six selections marked one of the country's most successful NBA Draft classes and reinforced its status as one of Africa's leading producers of elite basketball talent.

Six Nigerians Headline Africa's Strong Showing in 2026 NBA Draft

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