The National Basketball Association (NBA) has kicked off its 80th season with a landmark achievement for Nigeria, confirming the country's players and those of Nigerian heritage as the most prominent African force in the league. This season's opening-night rosters feature a historic number of international athletes, with Nigeria standing tall at the forefront of Africa's growing basketball influence.
Nigerian Stars Shine in Historic International Roster
The league officially announced that the 2025-26 campaign began with a record 135 international players from 43 different countries. This marks the highest number in NBA history and continues a significant trend, being the fifth straight season with at least 120 international players and the 12th consecutive year surpassing the 100-player mark.
More than 55 of these athletes were either born in Africa or have at least one parent from the continent. Nigeria's contribution is particularly outstanding, solidifying its position as one of the most strongly represented nations globally. The Nigerian contingent is headlined by global superstars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, born in Greece to Nigerian parents, Deandre Ayton, the Los Angeles Lakers centre of Nigerian descent, and New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby.
The influence extends to other talented players with Nigerian ties, such as Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona, Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie, and Atlanta Hawks forward Alex Antetokounmpo, who shares his heritage with his famous brothers.
Pathways to Success: Development Programs Pay Off
This surge in Nigerian talent is no accident. The NBA credits structured development pathways, both within Nigeria and through international initiatives, for this success. Programs like Basketball Without Borders and the NBA Academy system have been instrumental in identifying and nurturing talent from the continent.
Many players with Nigerian roots have honed their skills in these programs, contributing directly to Africa's expanding footprint in the world's premier basketball league. This systematic development is creating a sustainable pipeline of world-class athletes.
A Global League with African Excellence
While Europe remains the largest contributor of international players with a record 71 athletes, Africa's presence is undeniably solidifying. Following Nigeria's lead, nations like Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are also well-represented. Cameroon, for instance, is represented by elite talents like Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid and Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam.
The impact of African players is profound, shaping the league's competitive landscape. Players of African descent have claimed several of the last seven Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, including two for Antetokounmpo and one for Embiid in the 2022-23 season. Furthermore, at least three international players have been selected to the All-NBA Team every season since 2018-19.
On the global stage, Canada leads all non-U.S. nations with 23 players, followed by France, Australia, Germany, and Serbia. The NBA's 80th regular season, which began on December 1, 2025, is being broadcast to fans in 214 countries and territories in over 50 languages, showcasing this diverse talent pool to the world.
