Six players of Nigerian heritage selected in historic 2026 NBA Draft
Nigeria celebrated a landmark moment at the 2026 NBA Draft on Thursday as six players of Nigerian heritage heard their names called at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, highlighting the country's growing influence on the global basketball stage.
The class was headlined by Felix Okpara and Ugonna Onyenso, who became only the second pair of Nigeria-born players to be drafted in the same NBA Draft.
The night began on a high note with Ebuka Okorie, a Stanford University standout with Nigerian roots, being selected 17th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder. His draft rights are expected to move to the Detroit Pistons as part of a pre-arranged trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies.
Shortly after, Zuby Ejiofor of St. John's University was picked 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks, ensuring two players of Nigerian descent were taken in the opening round.
The second round continued the Nigerian success story. Former Tennessee centre Felix Okpara was selected 46th overall by the Orlando Magic after establishing himself as one of the Southeastern Conference's premier defensive players.
Okpara earned SEC All-Defensive Team honours during his senior season, finishing his college career as one of Tennessee's greatest shot-blockers. He ranks second in the programme's history in blocks per game (1.6) and is among only four players to record multiple 50-block seasons. Interestingly, the Nigeria-born big man initially played football before switching to basketball shortly before relocating to the United States in 2018.
Kentucky guard Otega Oweh, another player with Nigerian heritage, was selected 41st overall by the Miami Heat, with his rights set to be transferred to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oweh enjoyed a standout senior season, leading Kentucky in both scoring (18.6 points per game) and steals (1.8 per game). He also finished with the highest point total through a player's first two seasons in Kentucky history, amassing 1,255 points. He is the younger brother of Washington Commanders defensive end Odafe Oweh, a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2021.
Tobi Lawal, a London-born forward of Nigerian descent from Virginia Tech, was taken 48th overall by the Dallas Mavericks. Despite only taking up basketball at the age of 16, Lawal developed into one of the ACC's top forwards, averaging 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while leading Virginia Tech in rebounding for a second straight season.
Completing the Nigerian contingent was Ugonna Onyenso, who was born in Owerri and developed through the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal. He was selected 53rd overall by the Houston Rockets, with his draft rights expected to move to the Detroit Pistons through the New York Knicks.
Onyenso spent three years at the NBA Academy Africa before moving to the United States, where he starred at Putnam Science Academy. He later played for Kentucky, Kansas State and Virginia, earning ACC All-Defensive Team and ACC All-Tournament First Team honours during his final collegiate season.
His selection also marked another milestone, making him the third NBA Academy Africa graduate and the 15th NBA Academy alumnus overall to be drafted into the league. Onyenso had previously made history as the youngest player to represent Nigeria's senior men's national team at just 17 years old.
Overall, more than 10 players from Africa or with at least one African parent were selected in this year's NBA Draft, further reflecting the continent's expanding impact on world basketball and its growing reputation as a producer of elite talent.
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