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2020 NBA Draft class features record-high number of players of Nigerian origin

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6 years ago

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More than the usual smattering of Nigerian eyes will be fixed on the NBA Draft on Wednesday, as a record-high chunk of the class is made up of Nigeria-origin players.
A total of seven players, two born in Nigeria, will be in consideration for pickup by some of the best basketball teams in the world.
Onyeka Okongwu is in the conversation for not just for the top 5 pick, but could well rival James Wiseman, Lamelo Ball, and Anthony Edwards for the number one overall pick.
Precious Achiuwa and Udoka Azubuike are the two who were born in Nigeria. If both are selected in the top 30, it would be the first time that two players from Nigeria are selected in the first round of the same NBA Draft.
Along with Achiuwa and Azubuike, there are also Onyeka Okongwu, Isaac Okoro, Zeke Nnaji, Daniel Oturu, and Jordan Nwora on the cards.
“I think it’s big,” Achiuwa said in a pre-Draft Zoom call with ESPN.
“It just shows there’s a big talent culture in Nigeria when it comes to basketball, athleticism and athletes as a whole in general.
“It speaks to how competitive we are and our willingness to be better in whatever we do.”
It is a testament both to how far the Nigerian community in the USA has come, and how much basketball has grown back home.
In 1984, when Akeem Olajuwon was drafted number one overall to the NBA — ahead of even Michael Jordan — he was the lone Nigerian, nay African, in that Draft Class.
It took another 10 years before the NBA drafted another player of Nigerian descent when the New Jersey Nets picked up Yinka Dare from George Washington, and another four years before Michael Olowokandi was drafted number one overall by the LA Clippers.
Thirty six years on from that first, pivotal draft, the 2020 NBA Draft Class — like the 2020 NFL Draft Class before it — boasts the highest number of players of Nigerian origin.
Nwora already represents Nigeria senior men’s basketball team. Oturu’s father, Francis, played table tennis for Nigeria.
Okongwu is in the conversation for not just for the top 5 pick, but could well rival James Wiseman, Lamelo Ball, and Anthony Edwards for the number one overall pick, and he is not shy about it.
“I feel like I’m higher than all of them,” he told ESPN. “I just do all the little things well. I just play basketball. I know how to win.”
Also projected to be a high pick is Isaac Okoro, the 6’6 shooting guard/small forward from Auburn.
All told, there are more than 30 current and former NBA players with Nigerian roots, including the likes of Andre Iguodala, Victor Oladipo, Bam Adebayo, and the Antetokounmpo brothers, led of course by legendary Hall of Famer Olajuwon.
Achiuwa said that it is a trend the current class will seek to carry on: “I think we have the opportunity to keep that legacy going, especially that Nigerian representation in the NBA.”
That representation has been helped in no small part by the work of a man who himself was in a similar position some 20 years ago.
Former Nigeria captain Olumide Oyedeji was drafted out of German team DJK Wurzburg [Dirk Nowitzki played there too] and has run basketball camps every year in Nigeria for 20 straight years until this year’s COVID-19 interruption.
Over 35 000 kids have passed through the camp in those 20 years, including Azubuike.
Oyedeji, who played three seasons in the NBA, projects that the number will rise in the future and also expects the players to continue to light the way for others.
“We are a country of about 200 million people and with the way Nigerians are migrating to the USA, don’t be surprised to see 20 in the next Draft Classes in the future,” Oyedeji told ESPN.
“We already have three projected to go in the lottery this year.
“It is a positive thing and I feel proud. For other people back home, it is just the same way. We just have to translate it to sports development back home.
“And they should know and remember where they come from because it goes beyond basketball.”
Pivotal to the increase in Nigerian names in the NBA is Fubara Onyanabo, a man whom many in Nigeria have barely heard of, but has mentored a long list of players, including some currently representing in Nigeria’s national team.
Achiuwa was not shy about paying tribute to Fubura, who coached the player’s elder brother: “He is doing a great job, advancing the game and making sure that the kids back home have a way to learn the game.
“He is providing resources for the kids and I think that that is absolutely big having someone that is so passionate about basketball back home. I think that is really important.”
Onyanabo, who has coached Nigeria’s national teams at various age levels, has been doing so since 2009. With no resources, he poured his heart and soul and money into running the basketball camps.
While he is gratified to see that his passion is bearing fruit thousands of miles away on a global stage, even if indirectly, his priorities are set differently.
“For me, it is a passion and a calling,” Onyanabo told ESPN. “After my playing career ended, I found that although kids around me loved basketball and loved watching the NBA, they did not have the right skills to play, so I decided to start training them.
“For me, it is not about talents that are exported outside Nigeria. It is the ability to keep these young people busy and channel their energy towards positive and productive ventures here in Nigeria.
“My fulfilment is the ability to put smiles on the faces of these kids. They don’t pay to learn or play basketball. We just want to keep them happy and away from trouble.”
Along with the Nigerians in the Draft Class, there is also some other history to be made at an African level.
The Draft also includes Mamadi Diakite, who was born in Guinea, Paul Eboua, born in Cameroon, Karim Mane and Lamine Diane, both born in Senegal. If they are all drafted it would break the record for the most players to be drafted from the continent. Four were drafted in 2016.
Whatever happens, Oyedeji has some words of advice: “The work starts when they are drafted. They have to be ready at all times, even if they are on the bench. Always be ready to be the next man up.”

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Super Falcons Thrash Egypt 6-2, Book WAFCON Quarter-Final Date with Cameroon

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7 hours ago

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August 6, 2026

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Super Falcons Thrash Egypt 6-2, Book WAFCON Quarter-Final Date with Cameroon

Super Falcons Thrash Egypt 6-2, Book WAFCON Quarter-Final Date with Cameroon

The defending champions produced a dominant attacking masterclass to defeat Egypt 6-2 in Casablanca, securing their place in the knockout stages of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The emphatic victory sets up a blockbuster quarter-final clash against Cameroon as Nigeria continues its quest for a record-extending 11th continental title.

The Super Falcons booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after an emphatic 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final Group C match on Wednesday. The defending champions needed a convincing win to keep their hopes of progressing alive after suffering a shock 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match, before narrowly defeating Zambia 1-0 in their second outing. The overwhelming victory capped Justine Madugu’s side’s stunning turnaround from their shock opener loss to tournament debutants Malawi, as Nigeria delivered one of the group stage’s best displays to secure their passage to the knockout stages.

Nigeria entered the match under pressure, knowing that even victory might not be enough depending on the result of the simultaneous clash between Malawi and Zambia. According to tournament rules, if all three teams finished on six points, matches played against the group’s last-place team would be removed from consideration, with only the head-to-head results between the tied teams used to determine final positions. This created a tense situation where Nigeria’s fate hung on the scoreline in the other fixture, adding an extra layer of drama to an already high-stakes encounter.

The Super Falcons took the lead in the 21st minute when captain Asisat Oshoala calmly converted a penalty following a VAR review for a handball inside the Egyptian penalty area. The ten-time African champions doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time through substitute Gift Monday, who finished off a brilliant short-corner routine involving Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide. However, Egypt pulled one back moments later when Nadine Ghazi converted a penalty awarded after another VAR intervention, sending the teams into the break with Nigeria leading 2-1. The first half showcased the Falcons’ attacking intent while also highlighting the defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued the team throughout the group stage.

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Nigeria reasserted their authority after the restart, with substitute Uchenna Kanu restoring the two-goal cushion in the 57th minute after capitalising on a defensive lapse. The Falcons’ relentless pressure earned them another penalty following a VAR review, and Christy Ucheibe made no mistake from the spot in the 81st minute to extend the lead to 4-1. Ghazi struck again three minutes later to score her second goal of the night and briefly revive Egyptian hopes, reducing the deficit to 4-2. But any thoughts of a comeback were quickly extinguished when Nigeria won a fourth penalty late in the match. Captain Rashidat Ajibade confidently converted in the 91st minute, before turning provider deep into stoppage time to set up Joy Omewa, who scored her first-ever WAFCON goal to complete the 6-2 rout.

The victory was made even more dramatic by the fluctuating results in the other Group C match between Malawi and Zambia, which saw qualification change hands several times throughout the evening. With both matches at one stage at 1-0, Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia were all level on six points, forcing the standings to be separated by results involving the three teams. Nigeria ultimately finished second in the group behind Malawi, with both teams advancing on six points, while Egypt and Zambia were eliminated from the tournament. The dramatic conclusion to the group stage underscored the competitiveness of the expanded 12-team format and the fine margins that separate success from elimination at the highest level of African women’s football.

Despite missing suspended defender Oluwatosin Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Echegini due to yellow-card accumulation, Nigeria delivered an assured performance that restored belief in their title defence. The Super Falcons finished the match with 59 per cent possession and produced a relentless attacking display that confirmed their passage to the last eight of the continental championship. The team’s ability to overcome adversity, including the suspension of key players and the pressure of a must-win situation, demonstrates the depth of talent and resilience within the squad as they prepare for the knockout stages.

The Super Falcons will now face the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the quarter-finals, with the match scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m. WAT. Cameroon are expected to win Group D and will provide a stern test for the defending champions. The Falcons will now turn their full focus to the knockout stages as they continue their quest for a record-extending continental crown. The quarter-final clash promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Africa’s football powerhouses, with Nigeria seeking to maintain their dominance over Cameroon, who have often been their fiercest rivals on the continent. The Super Falcons have won all three previous WAFCON meetings against Cameroon, including the 2016 final, but the Indomitable Lionesses will be determined to end that streak and claim a famous victory.

Super Falcons Thrash Egypt 6-2, Book WAFCON Quarter-Final Date with Cameroon

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CAF Suspends Two Super Falcons Stars Ahead of Decisive Egypt Clash in WAFCON 2026

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3 days ago

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August 3, 2026

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CAF Suspends Two Super Falcons Stars Ahead of Decisive Egypt Clash in WAFCON 2026

CAF Suspends Two Super Falcons Stars Ahead of Decisive Egypt Clash in WAFCON 2026

Defender Oluwatosin Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Echegini will miss Nigeria’s must-win final Group C match against Egypt at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after being suspended by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following disciplinary incidents in the victory over Zambia.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be without two key players for their crucial final Group C match against Egypt at the ongoing 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) handed suspensions to defender Oluwatosin Demehin and midfielder Jennifer Echegini. The suspensions stem from disciplinary incidents during Nigeria’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia on Saturday, a result that revived the nine-time African champions’ title defence after a shock opening defeat to Malawi.

Demehin will miss the decisive fixture after receiving a straight red card in the 40th minute of the Zambia match. The centre-back was sent off for bringing down Zambia captain Barbra Banda as the striker raced through on goal during a dangerous counter-attack. The dismissal forced Nigeria to play with 10 players for more than 50 minutes, but the Super Falcons defended bravely to protect their slim lead until the final whistle. Echegini, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, will also be unavailable after receiving a yellow card during the same contest. The booking was her second caution of the tournament, triggering an automatic one-match suspension under CAF’s disciplinary regulations.

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The suspensions come as Nigeria seek victory against Egypt to boost their chances of reaching the quarter-finals. The Super Falcons bounced back from their opening 3-2 defeat to Malawi with a determined win over the Copper Queens, but the victory came at a significant cost. Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal in the eighth minute before Nigeria were forced to play with 10 women following Demehin’s dismissal. Despite Zambia’s numerical advantage for most of the contest, the nine-time African champions held on to claim all three points. With two rounds of matches completed, Malawi lead Group C with six points, while Nigeria and Zambia have three points each. Egypt remain without a point, leaving qualification for the knockout stage to be decided in the final round of group fixtures. The final round of Group C matches will be played on Wednesday, with Nigeria facing Egypt knowing victory could secure a place in the knockout stage, while Malawi take on Zambia in another decisive fixture.

Beyond the two confirmed absentees, captain Rasheedat Ajibade faces a different concern. Should she receive a yellow card against Egypt and Nigeria progress to the knockout rounds, she would be suspended for the first knockout-stage match, adding another layer of caution to Nigeria’s approach to the game. The absences of Demehin and Echegini will test the squad’s depth and put pressure on head coach Justine Madugu to reorganise ahead of a match Nigeria must win to advance. Demehin’s absence could prompt Madugu to reshuffle his backline after the defender had played a key role in containing the dangerous Barbra Banda before her dismissal, while Echegini’s suspension reduces Nigeria’s midfield options for the decisive encounter. Despite the double blow, the Super Falcons will be encouraged by the resilience they showed against Zambia, where they protected a one-goal lead for more than 50 minutes with a numerical disadvantage to reignite their title defence. The nine-time African champions have once again demonstrated their ability to grind out results under pressure and will be eager to maintain that momentum against Egypt.

CAF Suspends Two Super Falcons Stars Ahead of Decisive Egypt Clash in WAFCON 2026

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Nigeria Shines in Commonwealth Games, Tops Africa with 10 Gold Medals

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3 days ago

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August 3, 2026

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Nigeria Shines in Commonwealth Games, Tops Africa with 10 Gold Medals

Nigeria delivered one of its finest outings in Commonwealth Games history, finishing as Africa’s undisputed sporting powerhouse after clinching 24 medals to place seventh overall at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Team Nigeria contingent returned home with 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals, comfortably emerging as the highest-ranked African nation and securing a place among the world’s top seven teams at the Games.

The final medals standings, released on the official Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games X handle after the close of competition on Sunday, confirmed Nigeria’s remarkable performance behind only Australia, England, Canada, India, Scotland and New Zealand.

Nigeria’s campaign gathered momentum after Esther Nworgu won the country’s first gold medal in the women’s lightweight para-powerlifting event.

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The gold rush continued with Ezekiel Nathaniel’s victory in the men’s 400m hurdles, while Goodness Nwachukwu produced one of the defining moments of the Games by breaking her own world record to win the women’s F42 discus throw.

Idris Riluwan also struck gold in the men’s para-powerlifting event, while Chukwuebuka Enekwechi etched his name into history with a landmark triumph in the men’s shot put.

Despite battling injury, world record holder Tobi Amusan showed remarkable resilience to claim a bronze medal in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Australia dominated the Games with 171 medals, including 70 gold, 45 silver and 56 bronze medals.

England finished second with 110 medals (29 gold, 45 silver and 36 bronze), while Canada placed third with 62 medals made up of 19 gold, 20 silver and 23 bronze.

India and hosts Scotland completed the top five with 39 medals each, with India taking fourth place on the strength of a superior silver medal tally.

New Zealand finished sixth with 36 medals (10 gold, 14 silver and 12 bronze), narrowly ahead of Nigeria, whose 10 gold medals ensured it finished above every other African country.

Jamaica placed eighth, Wales finished ninth, while Malaysia completed the top 10.

South Africa ended 11th with 28 medals, ahead of Northern Ireland in 12th, while Kenya finished 13th.

Cyprus, Mauritius, Cameroon, Jersey, Samoa, Sri Lanka and Fiji also featured among the leading nations.

Among the remaining African countries, Uganda, Namibia, Ghana, Lesotho, Zambia and Gabon all finished on the medals table, underscoring Nigeria’s dominance on the continent.

 

Nigeria Shines in Commonwealth Games, Tops Africa with 10 Gold Medals

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