From Africa To The NBA: Nigerian Players Dominate Record-Setting 2026 Draft Class

The 2026 NBA Draft underlined Africa’s growing influence on world basketball, with more than 10 players of African heritage selected across the two rounds at the iconic Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Nigeria emerged as the continent’s biggest success story, producing six draftees in a landmark year that further cemented the country’s reputation as one of basketball’s most prolific talent factories.

Players with links to the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Ghana and the Central African Republic also heard their names called, highlighting the increasing presence of African talent across the NBA landscape.

One of the major milestones of the draft saw Felix Okpara and Ugonna Onyenso become only the second pair of Nigerian players to be selected in the same NBA Draft, further demonstrating the depth of talent emerging from the West African nation.

The first round featured several history-making selections. AJ Dybantsa, who has family roots in the Republic of the Congo and Jamaica, was chosen first overall by the Washington Wizards, becoming only the second player with direct Congolese ties to be drafted into the NBA after Serge Ibaka.

Rwandan-linked prospect Nate Ament was selected 13th overall by the Miami Heat, making him the second player of Rwandan descent to enter the league following Frank Ntilikina.

Nigeria’s influence was already evident in the opening round, with Ebuka Okorie going 17th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Zuby Ejiofor was selected 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks.

The second round brought even more success for Nigerian basketball. Otega Oweh was taken 41st overall by the Miami Heat after an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, where he averaged 18.6 points and 1.8 steals per game during his senior season.

Defensive specialist Felix Okpara followed as the 46th overall pick, joining the Orlando Magic after establishing himself as one of the leading shot blockers in the Southeastern Conference.

London-born forward Tobi Lawal, who is of Nigerian descent, was selected 48th overall by the Dallas Mavericks, completing a remarkable rise after taking up basketball only at the age of 16.

Owerri-born centre Ugonna Onyenso went 53rd overall to the Houston Rockets. His selection marked another significant achievement for NBA Academy Africa, as he became the third alumnus from the programme to be drafted into the league. Onyenso also holds the distinction of being the youngest player to represent Nigeria’s senior national basketball team, making his debut at just 17.

Elsewhere, Jack Kayil, who has Ghanaian heritage, was selected 39th overall by the Houston Rockets. The Berlin-born guard had previously earned Bundesliga Best Young Player honours and helped Germany secure a silver medal at the 2025 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

France’s Narcisse Ngoy, whose family roots trace back to the Central African Republic, was selected 57th overall by the Atlanta Hawks, adding another African-linked talent to an increasingly diverse draft class.

The draft also highlighted the success of development pathways such as NBA Academy Africa and Basketball Without Borders, which continue to identify and nurture elite prospects from across the continent.

With six Nigerian-linked players selected and more than 10 players of African heritage drafted overall, the 2026 NBA Draft reinforced Africa’s expanding footprint in the NBA and confirmed the continent’s growing status as one of basketball’s most important talent pipelines.