Nigeria is a basketball powerhouse, with more players in the NBA than any other African country. This is a testament to the country’s rich passion for basketball and the talent of its players.
However, the rise of Nigerian players in the NBA also poses a unique challenge for the country: how to retain and develop its top talent while also meeting the growing demand for high-quality domestic basketball.
Basketball fans worldwide would recognise Lagos-born NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. Aside from Olajuwon, other players like Michael Olowokandi and Gbenga Adebayo have made their mark on the league. They paved the way for the current generation of players in the NBA and showed that Nigerian players can be successful at the highest level of the sport.
NBA talents with Nigerian roots
There are currently ten Nigerian players playing in the NBA, the most of any African country. These players are all stars in their own right, and they are raising the profile of Nigerian basketball around the world.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is perhaps the most well-known Nigerian player in the NBA currently. He entered the 2013 NBA draft and was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. His best achievement in the NBA is winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2019 and 2020. He also won the 2021 NBA Finals with the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo became the third player in NBA history to win the MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year awards, joining Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon. In July 2023, he signed a five-year supermax extension with the Bucks and is one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Precious Ezinna Achiuwa is a young Nigerian player quickly rising through the ranks of the NBA. Born in Port Harcourt, he was selected by the Miami Heat with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. He is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and impact the game on both ends of the floor.
His best achievement in the NBA is winning the 2023 NBA championship game with the Toronto Raptors. He played a vital role in the Raptors’ playoff run, averaging 9.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Achiuwa is entering his fourth season in the NBA. He is expected to be a key contributor for the Raptors, who are looking to build on their championship success.
Phoenix Suns signed Josh Okogie and Chimezie Metu in July on new contracts. Lagos-born Okogie is a perimeter defender who played a significant role in the Suns’ success last season. The team expects him, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal to deepen the perimeter defence.
Meanwhile, Metu is a versatile forward who can provide depth in the frontcourt. Both players are expected to contribute to the Suns’ quest for a championship.
Nigerian talents in demand
With more Nigerian-descent players making their marks internationally, international leagues invest heavily in more talent.
Basketball Without Borders (BWB) is a global basketball development program launched by the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in 2001. The program aims to identify and train talented young basketball players outside the United States and provide them with opportunities to play at the highest level.
In 2019, the NBA and FIBA announced plans to establish the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a continental professional basketball league in Africa. The BAL is seen as a natural extension of the BWB initiative, as it helps find, develop, and nurture young, talented players across the continent.
In 2022, the NBA also opened an office in Lagos, demonstrating the league’s commitment to sourcing talent from across the continent, increasing viewership in Africa, and increasing brand awareness for the league.
Although the commitment will create new opportunities for young Nigerian players, it threatens the possibility of a successful domestic league. Talent retention will be challenging to meet the growing demand for high-quality domestic basketball.
The Tinubu government will need to balance these competing interests carefully. It will need to support the development of domestic basketball while also recognising the important role that the NBA and other international leagues can play in developing Nigerian talent.
One way to do this is to focus on developing the infrastructure and resources needed to support a domestic league. This includes building new courts and practice facilities, training and coaching young players, and creating a more professional and well-managed league structure.
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