Nigeria’s Hakeem Olajuwon opened the doors for Africans in the National Basketball Association (NBA) four decades ago and three more young centres with links to the continent are set to follow his path this season.
Cameroon international Ulrich Chomche was the youngest player picked in June’s NBA Draft while Yves Missi also grew up in the Central African nation and Adem Bona was born in Lagos, Nigeria.
The trio, on the rosters of Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers respectively, join an estimated 10% of current NBA players that were either born in Africa or have one parent who was born on the continent.
“You’re seeing an incredible amount of talent coming out of the continent,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told BBC Sport Africa.
“Two of the last three Most Valuable Players were Joel Embiid, from Cameroon, and Giannis Antetokounmpo who has Nigerian roots.
“Victor Wembanyama, the number one draft pick and the Rookie of the Year this past year, again, has African roots.”
As the 2024-25 season tips off, five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher believes Embiid, who opted to represent the USA, could help the 76ers win their first title since 1983.
“Joel has spoken about wanting to stay healthy specifically for the NBA play-offs,” Fisher told BBC Sport Africa.
“We’ve never seen Joel healthy in the play-offs before. If that happens, I do think that makes the 76ers a team to watch in the Eastern Conference.”
Eyes on Celtics and James family
Fisher, who won all his titles with the LA Lakers in a career spanning 18 years, believes that defending champions Boston Celtics are still the team to beat.
“There’s no reason to believe the Celtics don’t have a great chance to come out of the East again,” he said.
“I do think the 76ers will challenge them.
“In the West I think it’s more of a toss-up. There’s so many great teams it is hard to pick one.
“I would say you should watch out for Oklahoma City Thunder. And I think the Denver Nuggets could be back at the top.”
Beyond the competitive landscape, Fisher is captivated by the story of LeBron and Bronny James, the historic first active father-son duo in NBA history, and what it means for the development of future talent.
“LeBron and Bronny are two separate individuals but obviously share one name, so it’s exciting,” the former point guard said.
“I know we see it through the lens of basketball but I think we need to take a larger view of it as men who have sons or a young boy in our life, whatever business or industry we are in.
“If we had the opportunity to build something for 20-plus years and then open the door or drop the ladder to bring them into it, that sets the example for so many.
“What we are all trying to do essentially [is] drop the ladder so that those coming tomorrow can have greater access and opportunities.”
Talent development
Fisher is also helping future basketball players in his own way, and the 50-year-old recently ran a clinic in Kenya to share his love for the game.
“I think it’s important that not only is talent exported to other places, but also making sure that we’re developing young talent right on the continent,” he said.
“Every great player doesn’t necessarily have to leave in order to be seen.”
Fisher spent an afternoon with a group of 80 young people and coaches from different schools across Nairobi on the invitation of NBA Africa.
“It’s so important to show young people that we care. For me, specifically, [it is] through the game of basketball. This is where it starts.”
For many of the youngsters involved, the NBA-backed Basketball Africa League (BAL) is one of the avenues where they can showcase their talent.
“There are only 450 jobs in the NBA, but there’s so much talent on the continent that we think that we can create a thriving league on the continent of African players,” Tatum said.
Growing the BAL
The BAL is in its fourth year but has yet to turn a profit despite growing attendances and media visibility.
NBA Africa’s Clare Akamanzi, who was appointed as chief executive last December, is not worried by the bottom line.
“With BAL, we are exactly where we hoped to be when we started four years ago,” she told BBC Sport Africa
“The measure of success for us is one, being known as a league. The second is getting more countries to participate.
“We have more than 25 countries that participate in the road to BAL. What we’ve seen is that countries have been inspired to start teams. Central African Republic is one of those countries.”
Akamanzi says the BAL “shall make money” but that developing at the right pace is important.
“Do we expect to make money? Obviously, this is a business,” she added.
“But we are in year four and we expect to be here, investing in all the things to grow in a sustainable way over a long time. We know that the game of basketball is only going to grow.”
Part of the NBA’s investment in Africa includes building 1,000 basketball courts across the continent in the next decade, including 100 in Kenya.
The aim is to provide proper facilities – and equal opportunities for girls.
“Every clinic that we have, we make sure there’s parity – 50% girls, 50% boys,” Akamanzi said.
“We see that potential, and that potential for us is going to mean that we’re going to have girls also playing basketball professionally.”
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