Meet the 8 African Players Who've Been Newly Drafted Into the NBA
These players hailing from across the continent are set to have promising careers as new NBA athletes.
The 2019 NBA Draft went down Thursday night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, where 60 talented hopefuls from college basketball and international leagues were drafted into the NBA.
As our recent preview mentioned, eight players with roots stemming from the continent were in the running for this next step in their professional careers. Out of the prospects, two new and unexpected faces were selected.
Get to know them below.
Chuma Okeke | Nigeria
Okeke was drafted by the Orlando Magic in the first round as the 16th pick. The 20-year-old forward was born in Georgia to a Nigerian father and played for Auburn University.
Read his draft board here.
Chikezie 'KZ' Okpala | Nigeria
Okpala, 20, was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the second round as the 32nd pick. The rookie small forward, who played for Stanford University, was born in California to his Nigerian-born parents—Martin and Mary Okpala.
Read his draft board here.
Rui Hachimura | Benin + Japan
Hachimura indeed made history becoming the first Japanese-born player to be drafted into the NBA. The rookie power forward from Gonzaga University was drafted by the Washington Wizards in the first round as the ninth pick.
Read his draft board here.
Sekou Doumbouya | Guinea
Doumbouya is the French professional basketball player coming from team Limoges CSP of the LNB Pro A league. The small forward was also drafted in the first round by the Detroit Pistons as the 15th pick.
Read his draft board here.
Mfiondu Kabengele | Democratic Republic of Congo
Kabengele, the nephew of NBA vet and Hall of Fame inductee Dikembe Mutumbo, was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round as the 27th pick. The rookie center grew up in Canada and attended Florida State University.
Read his draft board here.
Bruno Fernando | Angola
Fernando was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round at the 34th pick. The rookie center attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where he averaged 13.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game by his sophomore year.
Read his draft board here.
Bol Bol | Sudan
Although it was anticipated for Bol Bol to be selected in the first round, the center and son of the late Manute Bol was drafted by the Miami Heat head in the second round as the 44th pick. Bol was then traded to the Denver Nuggets.
Read his draft board here.
Olumiye Oni | Nigeria
Oni was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the second round as the 58th pick, but was then traded to the Utah Jazz. The shooting guard who played for Yale University has made history becoming the first player from the Ivy League to be drafted since Jerome Allen was selected in the second round from University of Pennsylvania in 1995.
Read his draft board here.
