African basketball players have been taking charge in the NBA, while also using their platform for greater good through philanthropic work. After winning the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, Serge Ibaka toured his homeland, the Republic of Congo, with the aim of inspiring the next generation. He said it was important for him to show “the new Congolese generations that the success of winning the NBA Championship would mean nothing if I didn’t inspire them to dream big and understand that anything is possible.”
It’s easily arguable that Nigeria’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player right now in the NBA. Some of his awards include being a seven-time NBA all star, the NBA’s most valuable player in 2019 and 2020, and the NBA champion in 2021.
Another African giant in the league is Cameroon’s Joel Embiid, whom many are branding as the best “big man” in the NBA. Spectators were asking how Nikola Jokic would be stopped, and Embiid provided the answer in their last meet up. Embiid made a huge statement by splashing 47 points on Jokic and the Nuggets.
African players putting on a great show in the league isn’t a new phenomenon. Some of the greatest players to play in the NBA have hailed from the continent, including Hakeem Olajuwon of Nigeria, Dikembe Mutombo of DR Congo, and Manute Bol of Sudan, and that is just to name a few.
They have paved the way for not just African players but for all non-American players to confidently bring their flame to the NBA, and for many of these players, their legacies can still be felt today. Manute Bol’s son Bol Bol plays for the Orlando Magic in the NBA, and although there is no telling if he will live up to his father’s legacy, he is making a name for himself.
For a lot of African players, basketball doesn’t just end on the court; it continues through their philanthropic work. Manute Bol is remembered by millions not just for being one of the best shot blockers in NBA history but also for the charitable organisations he set up in Sudan to help those affected by conflict, low income, and a lack of formal education.
As a way of helping young people achieve their dreams, Giannis and his brothers set up a foundation named after their father, the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF). CAFF is an international foundation operating in Nigeria, Greece, and the US, that provides sports, shelter, food, and education for immigrants, refugees, and young people. The philanthropic work of Giannis is just one of many, and it comes to show that for many foreign NBA players, especially those coming from the African continent, basketball is more than just a sport and a huge paycheck.
Let’s have a quick look at some of the African players turning heads on the court:
Gianis Antetokounmpo – Nigeria
It may be too early in Giannis’ career to put him at the top next to the likes of Lebron James, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant, but with all he has accomplished individually and with the Bucks in his first 8 years in the league, there’s a very good chance he would be considered one of the best players to play in the NBA by the end of his career. It’s rare to see a player dominate a game both offensively and defensively, and even rarer to see a player do it week in and week out, but Giannis has kept on raising the bar with consistent performances. The Bucks are currently second in the Eastern Conference and are on a smooth road to the playoffs.
Joel Embiid – Cameroon
Embiid has been displaying nothing short of MVP level performances so far this season. His recent stats have been out of this world, scoring 59 points with 7 blocks against the Utah Jazz and splashing 47 points against the Denver Nuggets. Watching Joel Embiid play is like watching a centre with the skills of a guard, think Trae Young, but at 7ft. If they have no injuries, Embiid and the 76ers are strong contenders in the East, although the Bucks and Celtics will probably take first and second place.
Pascal Siakam – Cameroon
Pascal Siakam is the Toronto Raptors’ best player this season, averaging 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. The 2020/21 season was difficult for Siakam with all the injuries he had, but since recovering, you can see his improvements on the court when watching him play. Last season, he improved on his offensive reads, and this season, he is dissecting defences much better and detecting and dealing with double teams. The Raptors are not having a great season so far and are currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
Josh Okogie – Nigeria
Okogie isn’t usually in the starting 5 for the phoenix suns, but when given time to play, he is more than capable of putting on a show. This season against the Houston Rockets, he made an incredible snatch block against Jalen Green’s 3 then went on to poster dunk the ball. In a match against the Indiana Pacers where he had 34 minutes playing time, Okogie finished the game as the top scorer with 24 points. The Suns are in a safe position right now in 8th place but with their 2 best players out (Chris Paul and Devin Booker), they don’t seem so safe.
Bol Bol – South Sudan
A player with huge potential: if Bol Bol stays hungry, next season will be even better for him. He has some serious handles and a good jump shot for a big man. The 7ft3 centre’s biggest hurdle is his lack of strength. If Bol Bol were to really strengthen up and put in the work in the weight room, not only would he be able to add a few more post moves, but he could become an absolute monster.
Wenyen Gabriel – South Sudan
Perhaps the best word to describe Wenyen is ‘hustler’! Is he the most talented player? No. Is he a shooter? No. But one thing Gabriel will do is bring that positive energy onto the court. He plays off star players so well, and has a ridiculous work ethic on the court, working hard on rebounds, and putting in the dirty work needed on defense. Gabriel is also showing some improvements to his game this season, avoiding unnecessary fouls.
Precious Achiuwa – Nigeria
Achiuwa was a vital member of the first African team to beat team USA in an international basketball match. Nigeria stunned the world when they beat a star studded USA team 90-87 in an olympic exhibition match in 2021. He now plays for the Toronto Raptors, having joined them from Miami Heat in 2021.
