By Enitan Abdultawab
Six players of Nigerian descent were among those selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, further highlighting Nigeria’s growing influence on basketball’s biggest stage.
The players — Ebuka Okorie, Zuby Ejiofor, Felix Okpara, Otega Oweh, Tobi Lawal and Ugonna Onyenso — were picked by different NBA franchises during the two-day draft held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Stanford University’s Ebuka Okorie emerged as the highest-selected player of Nigerian heritage, going 17th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he is expected to join the Detroit Pistons as part of a planned trade agreement.
Zuby Ejiofor, who starred for St. John’s University, was selected 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks after an impressive college campaign.
