These are the best players in NBA history that were born on the continent of Africa. A player had to be born in Africa to make the list, not just have African parents. Emeka Okafor(notes) has Nigerian parents, but he was born in the United States and is not on this list.

Two players on this list of African-born players are making some noise this post-season. One of them went to a private high school near me, so I've followed his career for a long time.

I've always followed the African-born players in the NBA with interest since Hakeem Olajuwon, and in 1994 my NBA team, the New Jersey Nets, took Yinka Dare with their first round pick in the NBA Draft (14th pick overall). Dare was born in Kano, Nigeria and played for the Nets for four seasons. Most Nets fans rooted for him to develop as a player, but he never did. Dare, unfortunately, passed away in 2004 from a heart attack at age 32.


Best NBA Players Who Were Born in Africa (rated by points scored per game in NBA, plus Manute Bol)

1. Hakeem Olajuwon - 21.8

Hakeem Olajuwon was always a fascinating player, from his Houston Cougars days in college to his great NBA career with the Houston Rockets. Hakeem the Dream was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1963, and went on to play for 18 years in the NBA. He was one of the top centers to ever play the game.

Hakeem won two NBA Championships, and was named NBA Finals MVP both times in 1994 and 1995. He also won two rebounding titles and led the NBA in blocks per game three times. He was NBA Defensive Player of the Year in both 1993 and 1994, and he was a 12 time all-star. Hakeem Olajuwon was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

2. Luol Deng(notes) - 16.0

Luol Deng was born in Wow, Sudan in 1985. He grew up in England, and then went to high school at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey. Blair Academy is a private high school located not too far from where I live. It's a beautiful place, think of a sunnier Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies. Lots of lush, green and well-mowed fields, complete with a lake and a waterfall on the campus, surrounding the majestic looking main building.

Deng got a lot of media coverage when he payed at Blairstown Academy, and he was a great high school player. He was considered by many as the second best high school player in the country, behind LeBron James(notes), when both graduated from high school in 2003.

Deng went to Duke University for one season and then joined the Chicago Bulls. He has averaged 16.0 points per game so far in his career during the regular season, and 17.8 points per game in 25 playoff games.

3. Steve Nash(notes) - 14.6

Steve Nash was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1974, and grew up in British Columbia, Canada. Nash just completed his 15th NBA season and has a career scoring average of 14.6 points per game, to go along with 8.5 assists per game. Nash is a two time NBA MVP and has led the league five times in total assists and assists per game, including in 2010-11. The only knock on Nash is that he has yet to win a championship.

4. Dikembe Mutombo(notes) - 9.8

Dikembe Mutombo was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1966. He went to Georgetown University in college, and then played in the NBA for 18 years.

Mutombo was a great rebounder and shot blocker in his career. He averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He was a four time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He led the league four times in total rebounds, and twice in rebounds per game, and also led the league four times in total blocks, and twice in blocks per game.

5. Michael Olowokandi - 8.3

Michael Olowokandi was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1975. He went to college at the University of the Pacific and then played in the NBA for nine years. He averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

6. Serge Ibaka(notes) - 8.2

Serge Ibaka was born in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo in 1989. He just finished his second year in the NBA, and has career averages of 8.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Ibaka is having a great post-season so far with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011, averaging 12.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in three playoff games.

7. Christian Eyenga(notes) - 6.9

Christian Eyenga was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1989. He just completed his first NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 6.9 points per game in 44 games.

8. Luc Mbah a Moute - 6.7

Luc Mbah a Moute was born Yaounde, Cameroon in 1986. He went to college at UCLA and just completed his third NBA season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He has career averages of 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

9. Manute Bol

Manute Bol was born in Gogrial, Sudan in 1962. He played for 10 years in the NBA, and is the only player in league history to have more career blocked shots (2,086) than points scored (1,599). Bol averaged 2.6 points and 3.3 blocks per game. He led the league twice in total blocks, and twice in blocks per game.

Manute Bol was not a great player but he was entertaining to watch. He was also a great fund-raiser for charity. After his playing career was over he did some crazy stuff to raise money for charity. On separate occasions he dressed up as a hockey goalie, dressed up as a horse jockey, and he once boxed William "The Refrigerator" Perry and knocked him out in the third round.

Manute Bol passed away in 2010 from acute kidney failure. No list of African-born NBA players would be complete without Manute on it.




http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-8357803

Nice List!

Never new Nash was born in SA. Mutombo & Hakeem are legends. Micheal Olowokandi was a bust, he had so much promise and talent, just too dam lazy. Serge Ibaka & Deng are the most notable guys from Africa in the nba today. Nice, solid all round players with nowhere to go but up.

Met Emeka Okafor in Houston after just getting drafted and Nigerian community held a party for him. Nice boy .Heard he is academically sound too. Never met Andre Iguodala and I doubt if that boy want anything to do with Nigeria and Nigerians.
I would say Akeem Olajuwon.But you should add Hashem thabeet of the Memphis Grizzlies to the list. They are currently whipping the San Antonio spurs.

nice list

bokohalal:

Met Emeka Okafor in Houston after just getting drafted and Nigerian community held a party for him. Nice boy .Heard he is academically sound too. Never met Andre Iguodala and I doubt if that boy want anything to do with Nigeria and Nigerians.
I would say Akeem Olajuwon.But you should add Hashem thabeet of the Memphis Grizzlies to the list. They are currently whipping the San Antonio spurs.

Andre Iguodala was born the the us and had play for the us

Emeka Okafor was born in the U.S.,too.Guess it has to do with upbringing.

We'll like fellow basketball fans to feed us with information and profile of Nigerian born professional basketball players especially in the US and around the world. We intend to celebrate them in a special way like no other in the whole of African continent.
My organization Legendary Height sports entertainment group,will like to gain recognition with them. We are taking basketball to the next level in Nigeria.
Our target are:
To enhance our local league
Produce players from Nigeria that will out number other African players in NBA
Discover new talents
Ensure all basketball players get education
We'll be having an all year round busy calendar, organizing basketball events and grass root talent hunt.

Please fans, if you have any information don't hesitate to contact us: heightencroftltdng@gmail.com

Hakeem is the bomb. . My guy indeed

Undoubtedly the Dream.
Not only in scoring,but in accolades:2-timeDefensive player of the year,all-time leader in blocked shots when he retired,MVP in 94,two NBA titles. . .

The title of he thread says '' Best NBA players Born In Africa'' , but it is important to note that making the NBA is not easy at all , so it worthy to recognise players born in Africa that eventually made the NBA. The following Nigerians have played in the NBA or were drafted to play:

1, Olumide Oyedeji: Was drafted by Seatle sonics, played three season with sonics and one with Orlando magic
2, Late Mohammed Acha(RIP): Died the same year he was drafted by spurs in practise. One of the best basketball players to come out of Nigeria
3, Ejike Ugboaja: Was drafted by Cleveland cavaliers. The first Nigerian to be drafted staright from the local league.
4, Julios Nwosu: Played for the toronto raptors
5, Solomon Alabi: Was drafted by the Raptors, plyaed just a few games before he was sent to the nbdl. Still has great prospects of coming back
6, Chukwudi, (dont know his full names) was drafted by Lakers(2011) but sent to Denver on draft day.

It is also worthy to recognise the fact that a guy born and raised in Nigeria is the current GM of Denver Nuggets. That is also a great achievement.

rman:

The title of he thread says '' Best NBA players Born In Africa'' , but it is important to note that making the NBA is not easy at all , so it worthy to recognise players born in Africa that eventually made the NBA. The following Nigerians have played in the NBA or were drafted to play:

1, Olumide Oyedeji: Was drafted by Seatle sonics, played three season with sonics and one with Orlando magic
2, Late Mohammed Acha(RIP): Died the same year he was drafted by spurs in practise. One of the best basketball players to come out of Nigeria
3, Ejike Ugboaja: Was drafted by Cleveland cavaliers. The first Nigerian to be drafted staright from the local league.
4, Julios Nwosu: Played for the toronto raptors
5, Solomon Alabi: Was drafted by the Raptors, plyaed just a few games before he was sent to the nbdl. Still has great prospects of coming back
6, Chukwudi, (dont know his full names) was drafted by Lakers(2011) but sent to Denver on draft day.

It is also worthy to recognise the fact that a guy born and raised in Nigeria is the current GM of Denver Nuggets. That is also a great achievement.

thanks

Ramboo:

there are so many legends all over the years, but mine favorite is Kevin Durant from the youngs

Kevin Durant was not born in Africa. Check the title of thread.

Wow I never knew Nash was born in Africa. I didn't see D. J Mbenga on your list.

Mbenga was born in and raised in Kinshasa in Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where his father was a government employee.hen a new regime took over power, it sought everyone who worked for the previous leader.[3] As unrest in the country escalated, Mbenga's father was imprisoned.Although he was eventually unable to save himself, he did manage to negotiate on behalf of his sons, who were also imprisoned and waiting to be executed. Mbenga fled the country on a plane to Belgium, where he received asylum.[3] While living in a refugee center, he was discovered by Belgian basketball legend Willy Steveniers, who eventually served as Mbenga's personal basketball mentor.[5] Mbenga is a dual citizen of both his native countries.

The rest about his career is here - - - >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._J._Mbenga



And Op you left few things out while copying from here. . . > http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-8357803

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Not only in scoring,but in accolades:2-timeDefensive player of the year,all-time leader in blocked shots when he retired,MVP in 94,two on NBA website.

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