The NBA’s 2026-2027 season will open with a record number of players born in Africa or having at least one parent from the continent. A league statement published on 21 October said more than 60 players will feature on opening night, with Nigeria accounting for over 25.
The Nigerian contingent includes Bam Adebayo, OG Anunoby and Giannis Antetokounmpo, while Cameroon’s prominent representatives are Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam. AJ Dybantsa, the first pick in the 2026 draft, also has Congolese origins. French players Ousmane Dieng, linked to Senegal, and Moussa Diabaté, linked to Guinea and Mali, are among those included.
Across all 30 rosters, the NBA lists 125 international players from 43 countries and six continents. It is the 13th consecutive season with at least 100 international players and the sixth in succession with more than 120. France leads countries outside the United States with 17 players, ahead of Canada’s 16. Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards each have seven international players. The league’s competition is broadcast in 214 countries and 50 languages.
