NBA don announce say record of more dan 60 players, whether dem born for Africa or get at least one parent wey born for di continent, dey for opening-night rosters for 2026-27 season. Dis number show say African representation for di league dey continue to grow.
Nigeria get more dan 25 players inside dis group. Three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo (Heat) get connection with Nigeria, same way OG Anunoby (New York Knicks), two-time NBA champion, and 2021 NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo, wey dey for Miami now. 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) and four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers) both get Cameroonian roots, while 2026 No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa (Washington Wizards) get ties with Republic of the Congo.
Overall, opening-night rosters get 125 international players from record-matching 43 countries across six continents, including 70 Europeans. Na di sixth season in row wey get at least 120 international players, and di 13th in row wey get at least 100. All 30 teams get at least one international player, with Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards tying for di league high at seven.
2026-27 NBA regular season tip off on 20 October with three-game programme for broadcast on beIN Sports, Canal+ and SuperSport, and go reach fans for 214 countries and territories.
