As we look forward to the upcoming National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Weekend, we take a moment to celebrate the growing contributions of neo-African diasporans in the league. While all black people living outside the African continent are considered to be part of the African diaspora, neo-African diaspora refers to a specific crop of immigrants who have settled in the Western world in the recent past. Neo-African diasporans include first generation immigrants and their offspring. The population of African immigrants settling in Western nations has more than doubled in the last two decades. In the US for example, the Black African immigrant population grew 246%, from about 600,000 to 2.0 million between 2000 and 2019 according to Pew Research Center. As the number of neo-African diasporans has continued to grow exponentially, so has their influence. An upward tick in the number of NBA players who can be considered neo-African diasporans underscores this trend.

A Sharp Increase

As of February 15, 2022, we counted 37 neo-African diasporans in the NBA including some of the biggest stars in the league. This is a sharp increase from the handful of African players who have featured in the league from since 1984 when Nigerian-born Hakeem Olajuwon, arguably the most prominent African to have played in the NBA, joined the league. With 12 player making up a team, neo-African diasporans could comfortably make three, out of the 30 teams that play in the NBA. So, what does a close look at the list of neo-African diasporans in the NBA tell us? Let’s check it out…

1. Andre Iguodala – 38yrs old, born in the US to a Nigerian father and an American mother. Plays Small Forward position for the Golden State Warriors
2. Ayo Dosunmu – 22yrs old, born in the US, parents from Nigeria. Plays Shooting Guard/Point Guard positions for the Chicago Bulls
3. Bam Adebayo – 24yrs old, born in the US, father is from Nigeria. Plays Center/Power Forward positions for Miami Heat
4. Bismark Biyombo – 29yrs old, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Plays Center position for the Phoenix Suns
5. Chimezie Chukwudum Metu – 24yrs old, born in the US, parents from Nigeria. Plays Center/Power Forward position for Sacramento Kings
6. Chuma Okeke – 23yrs old, born in the US and father is from Nigeria. Plays Power Forward position for the Orlando Magic
7. David Nwaba – 29yrs old, born in the US, parents from Nigeria. Plays Shooting Guard/Small Forward position for Houston Rockets
8. DeAndre Ayton – 23yrs old, born in the Bahamas, dad is from Nigeria. Plays Center position for the Phoenix Suns
9. Dennis Schröder – 28yrs old, born in Germany, mother from the Gambia. Plays Point Guard position for the Houston Rockets
10. Frank Nitilikina – 23yrs old, born in Belgium, parents from Rwanda, grew up in France. Plays  Point Guard position for the Dallas Mavericks
11. Georges Niang – 28yrs old, born in the US, father from Senegal. Plays Power Forward position for Philadelphia 76ers
12. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 27yrs old, born in Greece, parents from Nigeria. Plays Power Forward position for the Milwaukee Bucks
13. Gorgui Dieng – 32yrs old, from Senegal. Plays Center position for the Atlanta Hawks
14. Hamidu Diallo – 23yrs old, born in the US, parents from Guinea. Plays Shooting Guard position for the Detroit Pistons
15. Isaac Bonga – 22yrs old, born in Germany, parents from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Plays Point Guard position for Toronto Raptors
16. Isaac Okoro – 22yrs old, born in US, parents from Nigeria. Plays Small Forward position for the Cleveland Cavaliers
17. Joel Ayayi – 21yrs old, born in France, parents from Benin. Plays Shooting Guard position for Washington Wizards
18. Joel Embiid – 27yrs old, born in Cameroon and plays Center/Power Forward positions for the Philadelphia 76ers
19. Jokhow Panom “JT” Thor – 19yrs old, born in the US, parents from South Sudan. Plays Power Forward position for Charlotte Hornets
20. Jonathan Kuminga – 19yrs old, born in the DRC. Plays Small Forward/Power Forward positions for the Golden State Warriors
21. Jordan Nwora – 23yrs old, born in the US, father from Nigeria. Plays Small Forward position for the Milwaukee Bucks
22. Josh Okogie – 23yrs old, born in Nigeria but immigrated to the US at age 3. Plays Shooting Guard/Small Forward positions for the Minnesota Timberwolves
23. Mamadi Diakite – 25yrs old, from Guinea-Conakry. Plays Power Forward position for Oklahoma City Thunder
24. Mo Bamba – 23yrs old, born in US, parents from Ivory Coast. Plays Center position for the Orlando Magic
25. Nicholas Batum – 33yrs old, born in France, father from Cameroon. Plays Small Forward/Power Forward positions for the Los Angeles Clippers
26. Ogugua (OG) Anunoby – 24yrs old, born in the UK, parents from Nigeria. Plays Small Forward position for the Toronto Raptors
27. Onyeka Okongwu – 21yrs old, born in the US, parents from Nigeria. Plays Power Forward/Center positions for the Atlanta Hawks
28. Pascal Siakam – 27yrs old, born in Cameroon. Plays Power Forward position for Toronto Raptors
29. Precious Achiuwa – 22yrs old, born in Nigeria. Plays Power Forward/Center positions for  Toronto Raptors
30. Semi Ojeleye – 27yrs old, born in the US, parents from Nigeria. Plays Power Forward/Small Forward positions for the Milwaukee Bucks
31. Serge Ibaka – 32yrs old, born in Congo-Brazzaville and is also a Spanish national. Plays Power Forward/Center positions for the Milwaukee Bucks
32. Thanasis Antetokounmpo– 29yrs old, born in Greece, parents from Nigeria. Plays Small Forward/Power Forward positions for the Milwaukee Bucks
33. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot – 26yrs old, born in France, father is Congolese. Plays Shooting Guard/Small Forward positions for the Atlanta Hawks
34. Udoka Azubuike – 22yrs old, Nigerian. Plays Center position for Utah Jazz
35. Usman Garuba – 19yrs old, born in Spain, parents from Nigeria. Plays Power Forward position for the Houston Rockets
36. Victor Oladipo – 29yrs old, born in the US, parents from Nigeria. Plays Shooting Guard position for Miami Heat
37. Zeke Nnaji – 21yrs old, born in the US, parents from Nigeria. Plays Power Forward position for Denver Nuggets

Bottom-line

A few things stand out from reviewing the list.

The first thing that comes to mind is that Nigeria is the country of origin with the highest number of players. This is no surprise as Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and has a vast global diaspora.

Secondly, the crop of neo-African diasporan players is on average quite young with most in their early to mid-20s. This coincides with the period when African immigrants have started settling in the West in greater numbers from 1990s to early 2000s. As the population of African immigrants in Western countries continues to grow, so will their influence and contributions to society.  

Thirdly, Milwaukee Bucks is the team with the highest number of neo-African diaspora players at five in total. They include the Antetokounmpo brothers, a very rare instance to have two brothers playing in the league leave alone on the same team. The Bucks are also the reigning NBA champions having won their first title in 50yrs in 2021, thanks in no small measure to one of the league’s super stars, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The diversity of neo-African diasporan players is quite impressive. A good number of these players were born to African immigrant parents outside of the US and their rise in the world’s greatest basketball league is simply remarkable. Nine African countries are represented in some form or fashion when you look at their origins. Outside of Nigeria, and perhaps DRC, most other countries have one or two players and this means the spread across the continent is wide.

We should also note that even though the majority are under the age of 25, there are a number of veteran players such as Serge Ibaka and Bismark Biyombo who have paved the way for greater inclusion of neo-African diasporans in the league.  

It is also worth noting that two of the league’s most valuable players fall in the neo-African diaspora category. Besides Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid is another undisputable star and a leading candidate to win the 2022 league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). This means that not only are neo-African diasporans showing up, their talent is also exceptional. Both Giannis and Joel Embiid will feature in the 2022 NBA All-Star lineup.

As we enjoy this year’s All-Star weekend, and also celebrate the history of black people in America, we are glad that neo-African diasporans are making history as a growing and influential body. Kudos to the NBA league, scouts and immigrant parents and others who have helped make greater representation a reality for neo-African diasporans.

As usual, our goal here at Neo African diaspora is to engage African diaspora in the West and their stakeholders to join the conversation as we script our journey as immigrants. We would love to hear your views on this topic. We welcome you to share your views under comments or engage with us through social media.