Nigeria celebrated a landmark moment in international basketball as a record six players of Nigerian heritage were selected in the 2026 NBA Draft held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The historic draft class was led by Ebuka Okorie, who was selected with the 17th overall pick after his rights were acquired by the Detroit Pistons, and Zuby Ejiofor, who went 23rd overall to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
The second round also featured four Nigerian talents: Otega Oweh (41st overall), Felix Okpara (46th overall), Tobi Lawal (48th overall), and Ugonna Onyenso (53rd overall), further underlining Nigeria’s growing influence in global basketball.
The 2026 draft marks a significant milestone for Nigerian basketball, with the six selections representing one of the country’s strongest ever showings in the NBA Draft. It also saw Felix Okpara and Ugonna Onyenso become only the second pair of Nigeria-born players to be selected in the same NBA Draft class.
Onyenso’s selection was particularly notable, as the Owerri-born center became the latest graduate of the NBA Academy Africa to reach the NBA, highlighting the academy’s growing success in developing elite African basketball talent.
The achievement reflects Nigeria’s expanding presence on the global basketball stage, with an increasing number of players of Nigerian descent making their mark in the NBA and inspiring the next generation of African athletes.
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