SAN FRANCISCO, November 19, (THEWILL) – In the prestigious National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft 2020, no fewer than eight Nigerians were drafted into the league with two top ten picks and six picks in the first round ahead of the new basketball season scheduled to kick off next month.
The iconic moment for the West African country was celebrated by the social media handle of the NBA itself which posted a list of the names of the players of Nigerian origin that made the cut to join the elite competition next term.
In the draws on Thursday, Isaac Okoro, who was born to Nigerian parents in the United States of America, became the highest drafted player with Nigerian roots since Michael Olowokandi was drafted number one overall by the LA Clippers in 1998. The 19-year-old was drafted number five overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Onyeka Okongwu was selected with the number six pick by the Atlanta Hawks. Upon selection, in a moment which triggered deep emotions for him, the 20-year-old paid tribute to his older brother, Nnamdi, who passed on after a skateboarding accident in 2014.
Precious Achiuwa who was born in Nigeria but who emigrated to the USA as a teenager was taken by the Miami Heat with the number twenty pick. The Miami Heat Head of Basketball Operations Pat Riley expressed delight at their pick.
“We are very excited to have him. We think he fits in perfectly. I’m excited that at 20 we were able to find a player who is that good and who has that kind of quality.”
The 21-year-old will be in good company as he will team up with countryman Gabe Vincent as well as Bam Adebayo, Andre Iguodala and Kezie Okpala who are all of the Nigerian heritage.
Zeke Nnaji was pick number 22 for Denver Nuggets while Utah Jazz drafted Udoka Azubuike at number 27.
Desmond Bane whose father Etieno Ekiko was born in Nigeria, rounded off the first round picks as he was selected 30th overall by the Boston Celtics who then traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Daniel Oturu whose parents emigrated to the United States in 1990 was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round at number 33.
Rounding off the historic draft night for Nigeria was D’Tigers player Jordan Nwora who was drafted with the 45th pick by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Other African players involved in the draft include Abdoulaye Ndoye and Lamine Diane, both from Senegal picked by Pro A and CSUN respectively.
Georgia guard Anthony Edwards was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Memphis center James Wiseman and guard LaMelo Ball soon followed to the Warriors and Hornets respectively.
Out of the 13 African players listed for 2020 draft, an astonishing 8 prospects made it to the top 50.
The 2020 NBA Draft presented by State Farm is the league’s first virtual draft and also still the first draft held at ESPN.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
