Nigerian Roots Strong as Six Players Enter NBA via 2026 Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft recently concluded at the Barclays Center, shining a spotlight on Nigeria's expanding influence in global professional basketball. A total of six players of Nigerian descent were selected by various franchises, signalling a continued investment in emerging talents with strong connections to the West African nation. The list of draftees included Ebuka Okorie, Zuby Ejiofor, Felix Okpara, Otega Oweh, Tobi Lawal, and Ugonna Onyenso.

Ebuka Okorie, a product of Stanford University, was the first player with Nigerian heritage to be chosen, going 17th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, his draft rights are reportedly part of a pending trade to the Detroit Pistons. Following him, Zuby Ejiofor, who impressed during his collegiate career at St. John's University, was picked 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks.

Kentucky standout Otega Oweh secured the 41st overall pick by the Miami Heat, with his draft rights also slated for a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oweh distinguished himself by earning All-SEC Second Team honours in both of his seasons at Kentucky. During his senior year, he maintained averages of 18.6 points and 1.8 steals per game, and notably scored 35 points against Santa Clara in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Oweh is the younger brother of Odafe Oweh, a defensive end for the Washington Commanders.

The Orlando Magic selected Felix Okpara with the 46th overall pick, while the Dallas Mavericks drafted Tobi Lawal at 48th overall. Lawal, who grew up in London, began playing basketball relatively late, at age 16. He later moved to the United States, where he excelled at Lee Academy Prep before furthering his development at Virginia Tech. In his prep career, he averaged 14.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game, boasting an impressive 67 per cent shooting accuracy from the field.

Ugonna Onyenso, an Imo-born center, was chosen 53rd overall by the Houston Rockets, after an unconventional journey. He initially played football in Nigeria before switching to basketball on the advice of a local coach. After moving to the United States in 2018, he joined the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal and later attended Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. Onyenso is now the third graduate of the NBA Academy Africa and the 15th NBA Academy alumnus to enter the NBA. At just 17 years old, he also holds the distinction of being the youngest player to represent the Nigeria men's national basketball team, underscoring his rapid ascent in the sport.

The selection of these six players with Nigerian roots reinforces the country's growing contribution to elite basketball talent globally, continuing a significant trend of Nigerian-born and Nigerian-descended athletes making their mark in the prestigious NBA league.