Top 20 African Basketball Players

Top 20 African Basketball Players

Like any other sports game, basketball is one of the games that is primarily enjoyed and watched by spectators. It has been successfully fostering talents for many years. The most well-known players in this particular game have been Europeans and Americans like Michael Jordan. However, there are African athletes who have made a name for themselves in this sport and have had the opportunity to compete in prestigious leagues like the NBA. This article will astound you with a list of 20 NBA-playing professional basketball players who you probably weren’t aware of. Unwind and get ready as we get right in to examine these players from the continent of Africa. Shall we start now? Here we go;

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Nigeria)

Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Giannis was the only player who could have been ranked first because he is not just the best player from Africa in the NBA, but also the best player in the whole NBA.

In addition to being the current MVP, he has received other awards over the years, including being named to the all-NBA first team once, the all-NBA second team twice, and the most improved player in 2017.

With a PER of 31.87 in 2020, Antetokounmpo broke Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record of 31.82 for the most points scored in a single season in the NBA.

2. Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria)

The second in our list, we looking at one of the best stars from Africa the basketball fraternity has ever experienced. Dubbed “The Dream,” Olajuwon is a Nigerian-American retired professional basketball player who played center for the Houston Rockets and, in his final season, the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1984 to 2002.

In 1994 and 1995, he guided the Rockets to back-to-back NBA titles. Olajuwon was elected into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

He is regarded as one of the best centers ever as well as one of the best basketball players ever. One of the top African basketball players to attain milestone!

3. Joel Embiid (Cameroon)

Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Second place on our list goes to Cameroon thanks to their star Joel Embiid. He is one of the basketball players who excelled while still young. To get right to the point, Joel Embiid is a professional basketball player from Cameroon who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).  

Six-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid has also been named to the All-NBA Team five times and the All-Defensive Team three times. In 2023, he received the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

The 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons saw Embiid lead the NBA in scoring, making him the first center to do so since Shaquille O’Neal (2000). In addition, he is the first foreign player to lead the NBA in scoring.

4. Pascal Sikam (Cameroon)

Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pascal Siakam, another athlete from Cameroon, is third on our list. The National Basketball Association (NBA) team for which he presently competes is the Toronto Raptors.

He was a two-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA pick who in 2019 helped the Raptors win the NBA title. Siakam led Toronto’s affiliate team to a league title while playing in the NBA Development League (now the G League) as a rookie in 2017, winning Finals Most Valuable Player awards.

He became the first athlete to win an NBA championship in the same season when he was voted the NBA’s Most Improved Athlete in 2019. Siakam led Toronto to the second-best record in the league the following season, earning a spot on the All-NBA Second Team and getting to start his first NBA All-Star Game. He became the first player to start an All-Star game and compete in the G League.

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5. Serge Ibaka (Congo)

Serge, a professional basketball player of Congolese and Spanish descent, most recently played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is most known for his YouTube channel, which features cooking demonstrations.

The Seattle SuperSonics selected Ibaka with the 24th overall choice in the 2008 NBA Draft. Ibaka has twice been the league leader in blocks and has been selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times.

Ibaka plays for Spain’s national team despite being from the Republic of the Congo. He became the sole NBA champion in 2019 while playing an important role for the Toronto Raptors.

6. Tacko Fall (Senegal)

Senegal produces the best basketball players in addition to the top football players. Tacko Fall’s formidable presence in the paint at a towering 7’5″ tall is plenty to frighten opponents.

The Boston Celtics noticed Fall’s promise as a rim protector and rebounder despite his undrafted status, and he has since been improving his shot-blocking abilities while also becoming a fan favorite. Fall has one of the highest growth and development potentials of any NBA player in history due to his height.

Elhadji Tacko Sereigne Diop Fall, a professional basketball player from Senegal who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), was born on December 10, 1995. Fall was raised in Dakar, Senegal, where he was born.

7. Josh Okogie (Nigeria)

Josh Okogie has swiftly established a reputation as a wing-stopper during his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is a relentless defender with an unquenchable work ethic.

He is a significant asset on the court thanks to his persistent hustle, quick hands, and strong defensive instincts. Okogie will certainly become more significant on both ends of the floor as he refines his offensive toolkit.

A professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Joshua Aloiye Okogie is of Nigerian and American descent. He wasn’t ranked by ESPN in the 2016 recruiting class as a 6’3 shooting guard.

8. Precious Achiuwa (Nigeria)

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Precious Achiuwa is explosive and brimming with potential, and since making his Miami Heat debut, his talent and raw enthusiasm have given him a name to watch.

Achiuwa is a nightmare matchup for opposition frontcourts thanks to his tremendous rebounding, shot-blocking skills, and versatility on both ends of the court. Achiuwa’s potential in the league is growing as he works to improve his offensive skills.

He is a professional basketball player from Nigeria who now plays for the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He went to high school in the United States, where he was a McDonald’s All-American and a recruit with a general consensus of five stars. 

Achiuwa represented the Memphis Tigers in collegiate basketball, winning American Athletic Conference (AAC) freshman player of the year honors in 2020.

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9. Jonathan Kuminga (DR Congo)

Jonathan Kuminga is a bright young player with an intriguing combination of athleticism, size, and ability that has already grabbed attention in the NBA.

Kuminga, a star player for the Ignite squad in the NBA G League, has been compared to some of the top wings in the league because of his versatility and defensive skills.

Kuminga has a lot of space for improvement, and all indications are that he will emerge as a key player in the coming years.

10. Bol Bol (Sudan)

Bol Bol’s basketball heritage and distinctive physical characteristics have piqued the interest of both fans and pundits. He is the son of former NBA star Manute Bol. With a wingspan of 7’8″ and a height of 7’2″, Bol has similar shot-blocking and rim-protecting skills to those of his father, plus an intriguing offensive skill set. The youthful phenom has displayed talent despite early career difficulties brought on by injury, and in the years to come, all eyes will be on his growth.

11. Thon Maker (Sudan) 

Photo courtesy of City of Indianapolis Mayor’s Office, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Thon Maker was hailed as a possible unicorn because of his mix of size, athleticism, and shooting prowess as a young player.

Maker’s potential as a diverse offensive weapon and rim protector has remained clear throughout his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers as a distinctive 7’1″ big with a propensity for extending the floor. Maker still has time to have a big NBA impact with the right chance and sustained improvement.

12. Bismack Biyombo (DR Congo)

Bismack Biyombo, a defensive-minded center with a penchant for highlight-reel blocks, has established himself in the NBA as a dependable rim protector.

Biyombo, who has appeared for the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets, Toronto Raptors, and Orlando Magic, is valued for his ability to change shots, snag rebounds, and add strength in the paint.

He may not have a particularly strong offensive game, but his defensive skills make him a reliable member of any frontcourt rotation. Biyombo is a professional basketball player from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who most recently competed for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.

The Sacramento Kings selected him with the seventh overall choice in the 2011 NBA Draft, and they later traded him to the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets). Biyombo has also participated in games for the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors.

13. Manute Bol (Sudan)

At 7’7″, Manute Bol was one of the tallest and most distinctive basketball players to ever step foot on an NBA court. While playing for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat over his career, his shot-blocking prowess solidified his position as a top rim protector.

Bol, who was undoubtedly the tallest player in the league at the time, leaves a lasting impression thanks to his successes on the court as well as his humanitarian work in his country of origin, war-torn Sudan.

14. Ike Diougu (Nigeria)

Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A bruising power forward with a polished offensive game, Ike Diogu displayed a scoring touch during his time with the Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs.

His ability to score both inside and from mid-range made him a challenging cover for opposing big men. While his NBA career may have been shorter than anticipated, Diogu’s scoring prowess and physicality left a lasting impression on those who faced him on the court.

15. Wenyen Gabriel (Sudan)

Acdixon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wenyen Gabriel, who plays with strong energy and a persistent motor, has established himself as a versatile forward for the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans.

As he matures, his capacity to defend several positions, grab rebounds, and open up the floor with his three-point shooting make him an intriguing potential.

Gabriel has the potential to develop into a significant asset for clubs seeking a spark plug off the bench with perseverance and sustained progress.

16. Abdel Nader (Egypt)

Abdel Nader, a dynamic forward with a fluid shooting motion, has established himself as an important reserve player for the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Phoenix Suns.

He is a sought-after player for teams trying to spread the floor and improve their defense because of his ability to shoot shots from beyond the arc and guard a variety of spots.

Nader’s tenacious work ethic and consistent development point to a bright future in the league.

17. Luol Deng (South Sudan)

Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In his 15-year career, Luol Deng demonstrated the pinnacle of professionalism, excelling as a talented two-way forward for the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Deng, a two-time All-Star and an important member of several playoff teams, was a significant asset for the league during his whole career thanks to his ability to score and play tough defense.

Off the field, his charity endeavors and advocacy for refugees demonstrate his commitment to making a difference in the world outside of sports.

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18. Bam Adebayo (Nigeria)

Adebayo didn’t begin to make an impact in the NBA until 2019–20 when he put on strong performances and started to tap into his full potential.

He made his first-ever All-Star appearance in January as a result of the Power Forward’s heroics during that season. He was nominated for the year’s Most Improved Player award after guiding the Heat back to the playoffs.

Adebayo won the NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge competition on February 15, 2020, which measured competitors’ ball-handling, passing, and shooting skills.

19. Al-Farouq Oleyede Aminu (Nigeria)

 He competes for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and also represents the Nigerian national basketball team abroad.

Aminu was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the eighth overall choice in the 2010 NBA Draft. He has previously played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans.

Al Farouq participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics for Nigeria while representing his country, and he was a member of the Nigerian basketball team D’Tigress which won the 2015 FIBA Africa tournament in Tunisia by defeating Angola 74-65. He and fellow countryman Chamberlain Oguchi were both named to the 2015 AfroBasket team’s All-Star Five.

20. Luc Mbah a Moute (Cameroon)

Kevin_Seraphin_and_Luc_Richard_Mbah_a_Moute.jpg: Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USAderivative work: Chrishmt0423, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Luc Mbah a Moute has developed a reputation as a versatile stopper while playing with the Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets.

He is known for his defensive acumen and capacity to guard several positions. He has been a useful asset for teams wanting to improve their defensive rotations due to his length, athleticism, and basketball IQ.

His knowledge and leadership skills have also aided in mentoring young players just breaking into the league.