The Top 5 Cameroonian NBA Players of All Time
Contents
Who are the best Cameroonian NBA players of all time? Here are the top 5, according to our experts.
Introduction
Cameroon, located in Central Africa, is not typically known as a Basketball powerhouse However, over the years, there have been a handful of Cameroonian players who have made it to the NBA and had successful careers. Here are the top 5 Cameroonian NBA players of all time.
Gervin, the “Iceman”
1. George Gervin Nicknamed “The Iceman” because of his calm demeanor on the court, Gervin was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won the NBA Scoring Title four times. Gervin also played for the Harlem Globetrotters before joining the NBA.
2. Dikembe Mutombo One of the greatest Defensive Players in NBA history Mutombo was named to the All-Defensive First Team eight times and led the league in blocks three times. He was a four-Ime Nba All-Star and won an NBA Championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995.
3. Steve Francis: A three-time NBA All-Star Francis was one of the most exciting players in the league during his prime. He was known for his highlight reel dunks and his flashy style of play. Francis also had a successful college career, leading Maryland to the NCAA Final Four in 2002.
4. Joel Embiid One of the best young players in the league today, Embiid is already considered one of the best Cameroonian players of all time. He’s a two-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2018. Embiid is still early in his career, but he has already made a huge impact on the game of basketball
5. Luc Mbah a Moute: A versatile player who can play both forward and guard, Mbah a Moute has had a solid NBA Career He’s been a role player on some very good teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets Mbah a Moute is also a two-time Olympian, representing Cameroon in both 2008 and 2012.
Dikembe Mutombo, the “Humanitarian”
Dikembe Mutombo nicknamed “Deke” or “Mount Mutombo”, is a retired Congolese-American professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Throughout his career, he was selected to eight NBA All-Star teams, six All-Defensive Teams four times as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and five times as the NBA blocks leader. He still holds the NBA record for career defensive rebounds, with 11,494.
He was known for his combination of shot-blocking and dunking prowess, which led to comparisons with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell Above all else, Mutombo was known for his philanthropy and humanitarian work; he frequently travelled to his home country of Congo to provide medical care and build hospitals. In 2009, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Luc Mbah a Moute, the “Cameroonian Prince”
Luc Mbah a Moute is a Cameroonian-American professional basketball player who plays for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds. He was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon on September 9, 1986. Mbah a Moute played college basketball at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 37th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft He has also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets
Joel Embiid, the “Unicorn”
As the only Cameroonian player in the NBA, Joel Embiid is currently making a huge impact on the game. Hailing from Yaoundé, Cameroon, Embiid was born to military officers who did not allow him to play basketball as a child. However, he eventually began playing in secret and went on to attend the Joakim Noah Basketball Academy From there, he moved to the United States to play High School basketball at Montverde Academy in Florida. He then played collegiate basketball at the University of Kansas before being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft
Embiid’s rookie season was cut short due to a foot injury that required surgery, and he missed the entire 2015–16 season as well. However, he made his debut in 2016–17 and quickly emerged as one of the best young players in the league. In his first full season, he was named an All-Star and led the Sixers to their first playoff appearance since 2012. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team and won NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Embiid has continued to improve in each of his seasons since entering the league, and he is currently regarded as one of the best players in the NBA. His unique combination of size, strength, speed, agility, and skill has led him to be nicknamed “The Unicorn.” He is one of only three players in NBA history with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 250 blocks in their first three seasons (along with Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal). He is also one of only five players with 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 100 three-pointers in their first three seasons (along with Olajuwon, Karl-Anthony Towns , Kristaps Porzingis , and Anthony Davis).
There is no doubt that Joel Embiid is a once-in-a-generation talent and he has already cemented his legacy as one of Cameroon’s greatest NBA players
Conclusion
In conclusion, the top five NBA players of all time from Cameroon are:
-Samuel Dalembert
-Joel Embiid
-Luc Mbah a Moute
-Alain Koffi
-Ruben Boumtje Boumtje
