Nigeria’s Basketball renaissance/revival: Impact of NBA’s investment in African talent

The NBA is one of the most popular sporting leagues in the world and the most elite in the sport of basketball. Millions of fans watch the action all around the globe with superstars like Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant captivating audiences week in and week out. NBA odds currently have LeBron’s Lakers team among the favourites to reach the NBA finals as he continues to be one of the best in the league even in the twilight of his career. The sport of basketball is a juggernaut of entertainment, and that is not just exclusive to the US.

Over the last five years or so, the NBA has made significant strides in its efforts to develop basketball in Africa. One of the biggest breakthroughs they had, came in 2019 when, alongside the International Basketball Federation, they founded the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The professional basketball league features teams from up and down the continent, providing an incredible platform for African players to showcase their skills and compete at a level not previously possible.

The NBA has also supplemented the premier African basketball league with investments in a number of grassroots development programs in Africa. Through these programs, young African players as well as coaches and referees can receive training and support from experts in the field. In addition to this, the NBA also partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch the Junior NBA Africa program. This aims to combine basketball skills and life skills for children in underdeveloped nations in Africa.

The impact of the NBA’s investment in African basketball on Nigeria has been significant. Participation in the sport is up among young people and the quality of those playing has improved with those numbers. A lot of this of course comes down to the profile of the game itself being increased in the nation. The NBA’s foothold within the ‘Giant Of Africa’ has led to raised awareness of the sport among the general public.

Perhaps the best evidence that the league’s impact in the African nation has been such a success is the number of success stories. There has been a number of talented players to emerge from Nigeria through their investment and in recent years we have seen several drafted by teams in the NBA. The NBA’s investment in Nigerian basketball has also led to the emergence of a number of talented players. In recent years, several Nigerian players have been drafted by NBA teams with 10 playing in the league as of writing. These are:

• Precious Achiuwa – Toronto Raptors
• Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
• Thanasis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
• Udoka Azabuike – Phoenix Suns
• Charles Bassey – San Antonio Spurs
• Chimezie Metu – Phoenix Suns
• Monte Morris – Detroit Pistons
• Jordan Nwora – Indiana Pacers
• Josh Okogie – Phoenix Suns
• Gabe Vincent – Los Angeles Lakers

The inclusion of Nigerian players on NBA rosters has also helped raise the profile of the sport in the nation. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was born in Greece to Nigerian immigrant parents, is among the biggest stars not just in Nigeria but in the world. The forward is a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player as well as an NBA Champion, in which series he also claimed the finals MVP award.

The Future of Basketball in Nigeria

The future of basketball in Nigeria looks extremely bright. The investment of the biggest basketball league in the world can only be a good thing and not even five years after finding their footing in the nation they have already helped create a more vibrant basketball culture. There is now a plethora of opportunities for young basketball fans to play and develop their talents where previously there were none. What is even more exciting is that the programs and investments are still in their relative infancy, meaning we are likely to see then number of talented players from Nigeria grow in the coming years.

In addition to the league’s investment, the sport is also more accessible from a fan’s point of view. The internet has made it easier for everyone to follow sports that were perhaps not broadcast in their country previously. They can now stay up to date with all the most recent news and highlights as well as watching full games, all at their fingertips.

All of this has had a profound impact on the sporting culture in Nigeria. A resurgence of popularity and increased awareness has meant that more young people now have their eyes on the game. Their interest is being transferred onto the courts and into the programs that have been set up in the nation by the NBA. We are only just entering what is likely to be a gigantic boom period for the sport in Nigeria and as good as things are already, the best may be yet to come.