Nigeria’s growing footprint in world basketball was again evident at the 2026 NBA Draft, with six players of Nigerian heritage earning selections across the two-day event held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The group comprises Ebuka Okorie, Zuby Ejiofor, Otega Oweh, Felix Okpara, Tobi Lawal and Ugonna Onyenso, who were drafted by six NBA franchises, although some are expected to join different teams through pre-arranged draft-night trades.
Okorie and Ejiofor secured first-round selections, while Oweh, Okpara, Lawal and Onyenso were picked in the second round.
Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, he is expected to end up with the Detroit Pistons after the completion of a previously agreed trade.
