The amount of raw basketball talent the continent has can never be overestimated. It is, therefore, welcoming that the relevant basketball authorities have, over the past few years, invested heavily in nurturing more talent and expanding the game in Africa.
In light of this initiative, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) officially launched the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Set to commence in January 2020, the BAL will consist of twelve teams from countries across the continent including Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
With the Toronto Raptors, who have a sizeable African representation also making history after winning their first ever NBA championship, spotlight has particularly been on their Nigerian president and the first African NBA Executive Masai Ujiri as well as roster players Serge Ibaka and Pascal Siakam. Their immeasurable contributions, both on and off the court proves the continent has so much to offer.
Ujiri, in particular, is a true African with a big dream for the continent’s youth and the Nigerian-born executive manifests it through NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa program – which Siakam is a graduate of, and his Giants of Africa program that uses basketball as a means to educate and enrich the lives of underprivileged African youth through camps.
With that being said, the highly anticipated 2019 NBA Draft was held on Thursday. With several talented and top athletes from colleges across the United States and also teams from outside declaring for draft, expectations and predictions were very high.
As expected, 18-year-old Zion Williamson, who was named the college basketball player of the year only after his first season for Duke was selected as the number one draft pick by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Making the continent proud, these African players were also picked by the various NBA teams in the draft.
Scroll through to take a look at them:
A 17-year-old migrant from Sudan, Abdul Usman, has attempted to cross the Channel from France…
Tatiyana, Danyelle LaShay, and Jyniah Smith -- the Smith sisters -- are some of the…
It's a full circle moment for mom Tangenicka "Tange" Williams and her daughter Chyna set…
Fat Joe is widely known for hits like Lean Back, All the Way Up, and…
Get to know Jordan Taylor; he is the founder of Vizcom, a software company that…
38-year-old Tanice Spence-Clarke was arrested and charged with child neglect without physical harm after police…
Janet Jackson might have wielded superpowers alongside Marvel's iconic heroes. But, it was Halle Berry…
A North Carolina mother wants a middle school teacher to be terminated after he allegedly…
In a recent interview with PEOPLE ahead of the release of her Curse You With…
Authorities in the United Kingdom have ordered the Jamaican government to pay the legal bills…
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has said that his little brother was subjected to racial abuse,…
Reggie Bush has regained his place as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner after over a…
Since 2012, actor Nick Cannon has openly shared his struggle with lupus to support others…
Former USC superstar Caleb Williams has been drafted by the Chicago Bears as the No.…
Stephen A. Smith is an ESPN analyst. People widely regard him as the face of…