With hundreds of players from different parts of the world including Africa set for the 2022-23 NBA season, we take a look at Nigerian players or at least of Nigerian descent that will play in the highest level of basketball in the world.
Precious Achiuwa – Toronto Raptors
The Port Harcourt-born power forward is set for his second NBA season with the Raptors.
Achiuwa appears to have found his comfort in Toronto after a brief stint with Miami Heat where he started his NBA sojourn in 2020.
Last season, the 23-year-old 73 games in the regular season for the Raptors before another six appearances in the playoffs.
Ochai Agbaji – Utah Jazz
Agbaji was drafted as the 14th pick in the 2022 NBA draft by Cleveland Cavaliers in June but he was traded to the Jazz in September, without playing a game in Cleveland.
The 22-year-old will be looking to start his professional career on a high in the 2022-23 after developing through the University of Kansas.
Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
Although he was born in New Jersey and he currently plays for United States’ Basketball Team, Adebayo’s Nigerian connection was from his Yoruba father and African-American mother.
Bam Bam, as he is fondly called by relatives, has spent his NBA career with Miami Heat since his draft pick in 2017.
Adebayo was in sterling form for the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals last season with an impressive record of 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in Game 7 but it was not enough as they bowed to Boston Celtics.
Josh Okogie – Phoenix Suns
Okogie signed with the Suns in July after ending his four-year career at the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 24-year-old shooting guard represents the Nigerian national team and he was part of the D’Tigers squad that featured at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Ogugua “OG” Anunoby Jr. – Toronto Raptors
The 25-year-old Anglo-Nigerian will hope to continue fine form for the Raptors when they begin their 2022-23 season against Cleveland Cavaliers on October 20.
Anunoby is considered as one of the best British players to ever play in the NBA.
He averaged 17.1 points in 48 games played in the 2021-22 regular season and he bettered the feat in the playoffs when he returned an average of 17.3 points in six games.
Chima Moneke – Sacramento Kings
Moneke linked up with the D’Tigers coach Mike Brown in July after playing stints with Spainish and French clubs.
The power forward is set to have his first taste of the NBA this season.
Moneke made his debut for Nigeria’s basketball team in 2020 during Afrobasket qualifiers.
Eugene Omoruyi – Oklahoma City Thunder
Omoruyi, born in Benin City with dual nationality as Nigerian and Canadian, will be expected to revive his career with the Thunders after he suffered a season-ending injury in December 2021.
He was subsequently waived by Dallas Mavericks after playing just four games in the NBA regular season.
Mark Williams – Charlotte Hornets
Born to Nigerian parents in Virginia, 20-year-old Williams is set to make his professional debut in the NBA this season after he was drafted as 15th overall pick by Charlotte Hornets.
Williams played college basketball for Duke Blue Devils between 2020 and 2022.
In 2020, he featured in McDonald’s All-American and earlier this year, he was named Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Udoka Azubuike – Utah Jazz
Azubuike is hoping to bounce back to top form after a foot surgery ruled out of the 2021-22 season in March.
The Lagos-born star managed to play 17 games last season before the set-back and he aim to cement a regular spot in Quin Snyder’s team.
Aminu Mohammed – Philadelphia 76ers
The 20-year-old shooting guard has been handed the no. 36 shirt as he gets ready to commence his professional career with the 76ers.
Mohamed previously played for Georgetown University before his pick to the NBA this summer.
Afrosport TV will be showing the 2022-23 NBA season LIVE every Saturday and across affiliate television stations across Nigeria.
