2026 NBA Draft: Nigeria Leads As Over 10 Players Of African Heritage Selected

Africa’s growing influence on the NBA was once again on full display at the 2026 NBA Draft, with more than 10 players from the continent or with African heritage selected across the two rounds at Brooklyn’s Barclays Centre.

Nigeria led the charge, producing six draft picks, the highest representation from any African nation. Players with family ties to the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Ghana and the Central African Republic also secured places in the league’s newest class.

The headline selection came at the very top of the draft when AJ Dybantsa, who has family roots in the Republic of the Congo and Jamaica, was chosen first overall by the Washington Wizards. His selection made him only the second player with direct Congolese ties to be drafted into the NBA, following Serge Ibaka, who was picked by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008.

Another historic milestone followed when Nate Ament, whose heritage traces to Rwanda, was selected 13th overall by the Miami Heat. He became just the second player of Rwandan descent to enter the NBA through the draft after Frank Ntilikina in 2017.

Nigerian-linked players featured prominently throughout the event. Ebuka Okorie went 17th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Zuby Ejiofor was taken 23rd by the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round.

The second round brought further success for Nigerian talent. Otega Oweh was selected 41st overall by the Miami Heat after an outstanding senior season at Kentucky, where he averaged 18.6 points and 1.8 steals per game.

Felix Okpara joined the Orlando Magic with the 46th pick after building a reputation as one of Tennessee’s top defensive players. Tobi Lawal, a London-born forward of Nigerian descent, was selected 48th overall by the Dallas Mavericks following a rapid rise through the collegiate ranks.

Ugonna Onyenso completed Nigeria’s impressive haul when he was drafted 53rd overall by the Houston Rockets. The Owerri-born centre became the third NBA Academy Africa alumnus to be selected in the draft and the 15th graduate from the NBA Academy system overall.

Okpara and Onyenso also made history as only the second pair of Nigerian players to be selected in the same NBA Draft.

Elsewhere, Jack Kayil, who has Ghanaian heritage, was picked 39th overall by the Houston Rockets. The Berlin-born guard earned recognition as Bundesliga Best Young Player and helped Germany secure silver at the 2025 FIBA U-19 World Cup.

France’s Narcisse Ngoy, whose family has roots in the Central African Republic, rounded off the African-linked selections when he was taken 57th overall by the Atlanta Hawks.

The draft also highlighted the growing success of development pathways such as NBA Academy Africa and Basketball Without Borders. Onyenso’s journey through the academy in Senegal and Kayil’s participation in Basketball Without Borders programmes reflected the increasing impact of these initiatives.