NBBF lauds Nigerian stars in 2026 NBA Draft

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has congratulated six players of Nigerian heritage selected at the 2026 NBA Draft held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, describing the achievement as another historic milestone for Nigerian basketball and further evidence of the country’s growing influence on the global game.

NBBF President Ahmadu Musa Kida praised the draftees and highlighted the significance of their accomplishments.

“On behalf of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, I congratulate these outstanding young men and their families on this remarkable achievement. Their selection in the NBA Draft is a testament to their dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence. Nigeria continues to produce world-class basketball talent, and these young players further strengthen our nation’s reputation as one of the premier sources of elite basketball talent globally,” Kida said.

Ebuka Okorie, a Stanford University product, led the Nigerian contingent with the highest pick of the evening, going 17th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder before his rights were subsequently traded to the Detroit Pistons. Zuby Ejiofor of St John’s University followed at 23rd overall, chosen by the Atlanta Hawks to round off a strong first-round showing for players of Nigerian descent.

In the second round, Otega Oweh, who starred at the University of Kentucky, was selected 41st overall by the Miami Heat, with his rights headed to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a planned trade. The guard led the Wildcats in scoring at 18.6 points per game and steals at 1.8 per game in his senior season, finishing with more points across his first two seasons at Kentucky than any player in the programme’s history, accumulating 1,255 points. He is also the brother of Washington Commanders defensive end Odafe Oweh, a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2021.

Felix Okpara, who hails from Nigeria and starred at the University of Tennessee, followed at 46th overall, chosen by the Orlando Magic. The centre established himself as one of the most reliable shot-blockers in the Southeastern Conference, earning SEC All-Defensive Team honours in his senior season. He ranks second in programme history in blocks per game at 1.6 and is one of only four Tennessee players to record multiple 50-block seasons.

London-born forward Tobi Lawal, of Nigerian descent and a product of Virginia Tech, was taken 48th overall by the Dallas Mavericks. Lawal did not pick up a basketball until the age of 16 but developed rapidly after crossing the Atlantic, posting 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in his senior season while leading the Hokies in rebounding for a second consecutive year.

Ugonna Onyenso, born in Owerri and a product of NBA Academy Africa in Saly, Senegal, rounded off the Nigerian contingent as the 53rd pick, selected by the Houston Rockets with his rights set to move to the Detroit Pistons via the New York Knicks in a planned trade. The centre spent three years at the NBA Academy Africa before moving to Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, where he averaged 13.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game as his school went unbeaten in 20 matches. A breakout senior year at the University of Virginia earned him spots on the ACC All-Defensive Team and ACC All-Tournament First Team. At 17, he had become the youngest player ever to represent Nigeria’s senior national team.

Okpara and Onyenso became only the second pair of Nigeria-born players to be drafted in the same year, while Onyenso’s selection made him the third NBA Academy Africa graduate and 15th NBA Academy alumnus overall to be drafted.

The federation also acknowledged the contributions of parents, coaches, schools, academies and mentors whose guidance shaped the athletes’ development, and called on all six draftees to represent themselves, their families and Nigeria with distinction throughout their professional careers.