Ganesh Kendale
Nigeria’s Hakeem Olajuwon opened the doors for Africans in the National Basketball Association (NBA) four decades ago and three more young centres with links to the continent are set to follow his path this season.
Cameroon international Ulrich Chomche was the youngest player picked in June’s NBA Draft while Yves Missi also grew up in the Central African nation and Adem Bona was born in Lagos, Nigeria.
The trio, on the rosters of Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers respectively, join an estimated 10% of current NBA players that were either born in Africa or have one parent who was born on the continent.
“You’re seeing an incredible amount of talent coming out of the continent,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told BBC Sport Africa.
“Two of the last three Most Valuable Players were Joel Embiid, from Cameroon, and Giannis Antetokounmpo who has Nigerian roots.
“Victor Wembanyama, the number one draft pick and the Rookie of the Year this past year, again, has African roots.”
As the 2024-25 season tips off, five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher believes Embiid, who opted to represent the USA, could help the 76ers win their first title since 1983.
“Joel has spoken about wanting to stay healthy specifically for the NBA play-offs,” Fisher told BBC Sport Africa.
“We’ve never seen Joel healthy in the play-offs before. If that happens, I do think that makes the 76ers a team to watch in the Eastern Conference.”
