…Ebuka Okorie goes at No. 17, Zuby Ejiofor No. 23
A total of six players of Nigerian descent were selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, with two hearing their names called in the first round and four more joining the league in the second round. The draft was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on June 24 and 25, Bold Sports reports.
The six players are point guard Ebuka Okorie (17th overall), power forward Zuby Ejiofor (23rd), shooting guard Otega Oweh (41st), forward Felix Okpara (46th), forward Tobi Lawal (48th), and center Ugonna Onyenso (53rd).
Stanford standout Ebuka Okorie was selected 17th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder through the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and eventually landing with the Detroit Pistons. Okorie enjoyed a remarkable college season, emerging as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) scoring champion after averaging 23.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Zuby Ejiofor was selected 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks following an impressive collegiate career. The versatile forward capped his season by winning the prestigious Haggerty Award, presented annually to the top men’s college basketball player in the New York City metropolitan area.
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The second round featured four more players of Nigerian descent. The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Kentucky’s Otega Oweh, while the Orlando Magic selected Felix Okpara before being traded to the Washington Wizards. The Dallas Mavericks picked Tobi Lawal, and Ugonna Onyenso was selected by the Houston Rockets.
The 2026 class marks a strong return for players of Nigerian heritage after the 2025 NBA Draft became the first in more than a decade without a single player of Nigerian descent being selected.
The newly drafted players will have their first opportunity to impress their respective franchises during the NBA Summer League, which will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas from July 9 to 19.
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