Six players of Nigerian descent were selected during the 2026 NBA Draft, continuing the country’s growing influence on the global basketball stage as franchises across the league invested in emerging talent with Nigerian heritage.
The two-day draft, held at the Barclays Center, saw Ebuka Okorie, Zuby Ejiofor, Felix Okpara, Otega Oweh, Tobi Lawal and Ugonna Onyenso hear their names called by NBA franchises.
Okorie, who played for Stanford University, was selected 17th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder before his draft rights were included in a planned trade to the Detroit Pistons. Ejiofor was chosen 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks after impressing during his collegiate career at St. John’s University.
Kentucky standout Oweh was picked 41st overall by the Miami Heat, with his draft rights also set to be traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oweh earned All-SEC Second Team honours in both of his seasons at Kentucky and averaged 18.6 points and 1.8 steals per game during his senior year. He also scored 35 points against Santa Clara in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Oweh is the younger brother of Odafe Oweh, a defensive end for the Washington Commanders. The Orlando Magic selected Okpara with the 46th overall pick, while the Dallas Mavericks drafted Lawal 48th overall.
Lawal, who grew up in London, did not begin playing basketball until the age of 16. He later moved to the United States, where he starred at Lee Academy Prep before continuing his development at Virginia Tech. During his prep career, he averaged 14.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 67 per cent from the field.
Onyenso was selected 53rd overall by the Houston Rockets after an unconventional journey that began in Nigeria, where he initially played football before switching to basketball following advice from a local coach.
The Imo-born centre joined the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal after moving to the United States in 2018 and later attended Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. He became the third graduate of NBA Academy Africa and the 15th NBA Academy alumnus to be drafted into the NBA.
At just 17 years old, Onyenso also became the youngest player to represent the Nigeria men’s national basketball team, highlighting his rapid rise through the sport. The selection of six players with Nigerian heritage underscores the country’s growing contribution to elite basketball talent and continues a trend of Nigerian-born and Nigerian-descended athletes making their mark in the NBA.