10 Up-and-Coming African Basketball Players to Watch
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Keep your eye on the following 10 African basketball players who are sure to make an impact in the years to come.
Joel Embiid
Joel Hans Embiid is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Philadelphia
76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After one year of college basketball with the Kansas Jayhawks he was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the 76ers. However, numerous foot and Knee injuries delayed his debut until the 2016–17 season, when he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He played his first two seasons with the Sixers before suffering a season-ending injury in early 2019.
Ben Simmons
This Australian-born player is currently a small forward for the Philadelphia
76ers. He played college basketball for Louisiana State University (LSU) before being drafted 1st overall in the 2016 NBA Draft In 2018, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year after becoming the only rookie in NBA history to average at least 15 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds per game
Pascal Siakam
Pascal Siakam is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played College Basketball for New Mexico State University In 2016, he was selected by the Raptors with the 27th overall pick in the NBA Draft
Siakam is one of the few players who has managed to make an immediate impact in the NBA after being drafted outside of the lottery. In his rookie season, he averaged over four points and three rebounds per game while shooting nearly 50% from the field. Siakam took on a bigger role in his second season, starting 44 games and averaging over six points and four rebounds per game. His Most Improved Player caliber campaign earned him a spot on Team Africa at the 2019 NBA Africa Game.
Siakam’s big break came in his third season, when he became a full-time starter for the Raptors. Siakam rewarded Toronto’s faith in him by putting up career-best numbers across the board, averaging over 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists per game while shooting nearly 60% from the field. His stellar play helped lead the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2019.
Siakam is still just scratching the surface of his potential and there is no doubt that he will be one of Africa’s top basketball players for years to come.
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert is a French Professional Basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He also represents the French national team in the international competitions. Standing at 7 feet 1 inch (2.16 m), he plays as a center. Gobert was born in Saint-Quentin, France, to Corsican mother Christine Gobert and American father Rudy Gobert Sr. He has two brothers, Willy and Joffrey.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo 22, is a small forward originally from Greece who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013. Standing at 6’11”, he has been nicknamed the “Greek Freak” for his athleticism and shooting ability. In his four years with the Bucks, he has averaged 16 points and 5 rebounds per game. He was named to the NBA All-Star team in 2017 and 2018.
Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo is a 6’10” center from the University of Kentucky who was drafted by the Miami Heat in the 2017 NBA draft Adebayo is known for his athleticism and physicality, as well as his ability to finish around the basket. He has the potential to be a very good rim protector at the NBA level, and he should see significant playing time for the Heat this season.
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is a freshman at Duke University and is widely considered one of the best basketball players in the country. He is 6’7″ and 285 pounds, and he has been compared to Lebron James and Kevin Durant He is from Spartanburg, South Carolina and he attended the same High School as NBA player John Wall Williamson was named a McDonald’s All-American, and he is expected to be a top pick in the 2019 NBA draft
Luka Doncic
Doncic is a 6’7” shooting guard/small forward who was born in Slovenia but grew up playing professionally in Spain. He is considered one of the most talented European players ever, and he has been turning heads with his play for the past few years. He made his debut for the Slovenian National Team in 2017, and he helped lead them to a bronze medal at the EuroBasket tournament. He was also named the MVP of the 2018 FIBA World Cup Doncic is currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA, and he was named Rookie of the Year in 2019.
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton is one of the most promising Ung Basketball players in Africa. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Ayton began playing basketball at a young age and quickly developed into a star player He played for the Nigerian National Team at the Under-16 and Under-18 levels before moving to the United States to attend college.
Ayton played one season of College Basketball at the University of Arizona where he was named the Pac-12 Conference Freshman of the Year. He then declared for the 2018 NBA Draft where he was selected with the first overall pick by the Phoenix Suns
Ayton is expected to have a very successful NBA career. He has all of the physical tools to be an elite player, and he has shown impressive skills on both Offense and defense Ayton will be a key piece for the Suns as they look to rebuild their franchise.
Trae Young
Trae Young may have only played one season of college basketball but the 20-year-old point guard is already making waves in the NBA. Originally from Texas, Young was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2018 and is now in his rookie year with the team. While he didn’t have the best start to his career – struggling with turnovers and shooting accuracy – Young has quickly become one of the most exciting players to watch in the league. He’s been compared to Steph Curry for his Three-point shooting ability, and at 6’2″, he’s one of the shorter players in the NBA. But what he lacks in height, he makes up for in skill and athleticism. Young is already proving that he’s a force to be reckoned with, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.
