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The Greatest African NBA Players of All Time

Updated July 30, 2021 16.8k votes 3.6k voters 124.4k views51 items

List RulesVote up the greatest Africa-born players ever to play in the NBA.

Our list of African NBA players includes a group of famous names including Dikembe Mutombo, Serge Ibaka, Luc Mbah a Moute, and yes, even Steve Nash (he was born a UK citizen in South Africa). Some of these players are the best blockers in the NBA, while others are part of a select list of impact players off the bench. Each of the players on this list were born in Africa and went on to play basketball in the NBA.

Now it's your turn to vote on who are the best African NBA players. Vote below and if we left anyone off the list, feel free to add them so that other basketball fans and Rankers can vote on your addition.

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Hakeem Olajuwon
Lagos, Nigeria
Position: Center
Nationality: Nigerian
Teams: Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (; Yoruba: [olaɟuwɔ̃]; born January 21, 1963), formerly spelled (& still pronounced as) Akeem Olajuwon, is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player. From 1984... more
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Dikembe Mutombo
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Position: Center
Nationality: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Teams: Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo (born June 25, 1966) is a Congolese American retired professional basketball player. Mutombo played 18 seasons in the National Basketball... more
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#4 of 22 The Greatest Georgetown Basketball Players of All Time#56 of 115 The Funniest Professional Athletes
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Steve Nash
Johannesburg, South Africa
Position: Point guard
Nationality: South African
Teams: Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns
Stephen John Nash (born 7 February 1974) is a Canadian former professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an eight-time NBA All-Star and... more
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#378 of 1,316 The Best Athletes Of All Time#24 of 289 The Top NBA Players Of All Time
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1,019
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Joel Embiid
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Position: Center
Nationality: Cameroonian
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Hans Embiid (born 16 March 1994) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After one year of college basketball... more
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Pascal Siakam
Douala, Cameroon
Position: Power forward
Nationality: Cameroonian
Teams: Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam (born April 2, 1994) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the New... more
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#23 of 75 The Best Current Wing Players in the NBA#86 of 96 The All-Around Best Athletes of 2019
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Serge Ibaka
Brazzaville, Congo
Position: Center
Nationality: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Teams: Los Angeles Clippers
Serge Jonas Ibaka Ngobila (; born 18 September 1989) is a Congolese-Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Ibaka was drafted... more
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#61 of 165 The Greatest NBA Centers of All Time#36 of 40 The Most Hated Active NBA Players
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Manute Bol
Turalei, Sudan
Position: Center
Nationality: Sudanese
Teams: Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat
Manute Bol (; d. June 19, 2010) was a Sudanese-born American basketball player and political activist. Listed at 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) tall, Bol was one of the three tallest players in the history of... more
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Andre Iguodala
Springfield, Illinois
Position: Small forward
Nationality: United States of America
Teams: Miami Heat
Andre Tyler Iguodala ( ig-wə-DAH-lə; born January 28, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The swingman was an NBA... more
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#138 of 175 The Greatest Shooting Guards in NBA History#39 of 120 The Fastest NBA Players of All Time
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OG Anunoby
London, England
Position: Small Forward
Nationality: Nigerian
Teams: Toronto Raptors
Ogugua "OG" Anunoby Jr. (born 17 July 1997) is a British-American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for... more
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Tacko Fall
Dakar, Senegal
Position: Center
Nationality: Senegalese
Teams: Boston Celtics
Elhadji Tacko Sereigne Diop Fall (born December 10, 1995) is a Senegalese professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Fall was born and raised... more
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#84 of 133 The Best Boston Celtics of All Time#8 of 30 The Tallest NBA Players of All Time, Ranked

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Luol Deng
Wau, South Sudan
Position: Small forward
Nationality: Sudanese
Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers
Luol Ajou Deng (born 16 April 1985) is a British professional basketball player who last played for Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a two-time NBA All-Star... more
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Emeka Okafor
Houston, Texas
Position: Power forward, Center
Nationality: Nigerian
Teams: Charlotte Bobcats
Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi "Emeka" Okafor (born September 28, 1982) is an American professional basketball player. Okafor attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas and the University of Connecticut,... more
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#4 of 41 The Greatest UConn Basketball Players of All Time#66 of 72 All NBA Rookie Of The Year Award Winners, Ranked
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Emmanuel Mudiay
Democratic Rep
Position: Point guard
Nationality: Democratic Republic of Congo
Teams: Utah Jazz
Emmanuel Kabeya Mudiay (born March 5, 1996) is a Congolese professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played high school basketball for Grace... more
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Al-Farouq Aminu
Atlanta, Georgia
Position: Small forward, Power forward
Nationality: Nigerian
Teams: Chicago Bulls
Al-Farouq Ajiede Aminu (born September 21, 1990) is an American-Nigerian professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays internationally... more
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#111 of 135 The Best Small Forwards of All Time#68 of 71 The Best Sleeper Picks For Your Fantasy Basketball Team In 2019-2020
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Bol Bol
Khartoum, Sudan
Position: Center
Nationality: Sudanese
Teams: Denver Nuggets
Bol Manute Bol (born November 16, 1999) is a Sudanese-American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the... more
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#19 of 91 The Best Second-Generation NBA Players Of All Time#53 of 95 The Coolest NBA Players Right Now, Ranked
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Luc Mbah a Moute
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Position: Small forward, Power forward
Nationality: Cameroonian
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute ( BAH ah MOO-tay; born 9 September 1986) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player. Mbah a Moute also plays for the Cameroon national team. ... more
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Bismack Biyombo
Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Position: Power forward, Center
Nationality: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Teams: Charlotte Hornets
Bismack Biyombo Sumba (born August 28, 1992) is a Congolese professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the seventh... more
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Thon Maker
Wau, Sudan
Position: Power forward, center
Nationality: Sudanese
Teams: Detroit Pistons
Thon Marial Maker (born 25 February 1997) is a South Sudanese Australian professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He attended high school... more
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101
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Josh Okogie
Lagos, Nigeria
Position: Shooting Guard
Nationality: Nigerian-American
Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves
Joshua Aloiye Okogie (born September 1, 1998) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a 6'3 shooting... more
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Cheick Diallo
Kayes, Mali
Position: Power Forward
Nationality: Malian-American
Teams: New Orleans Pelicans
Cheick Diallo (born September 13, 1996) is a Malian professional basketball player for Avtodor Saratov of the VTB United League. Diallo was a five-star recruit and the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of... more

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Gorgui Dieng
Kébémer Department, Senegal
Position: Center
Nationality: Senegalese
Teams: San Antonio Spurs
Gorgui Sy Dieng (born January 18, 1990) is a Senegalese professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). On October 31, 2016, Dieng signed a... more
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Festus Ezeli
Benin City, Nigeria
Position: Center
Nationality: Nigeria
Teams: Golden State Warriors, Portland Trailblazers
Ifeanyi Festus Ezeli-Ndulue is a Nigerian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. He was selected by the Golden State... more
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#100 of 100 The Best Portland Trail Blazers of All Time#66 of 105 The Best Golden State Warriors of All Time
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Ike Diogu
Lagos, Nigeria
Position: Power forward, Center
Nationality: Nigeria
Teams: Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors
Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu (born September 11, 1983) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Shimane Susanoo Magic of the B.League.... more
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Ime Udoka
Portland, Oregon
Position: Small forward
Nationality: Nigerian
Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks
Ime Sunday Udoka ( EE-may oo-DOH-kə; born August 9, 1977) is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National... more
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Precious Achiuwa
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Position: Power forward
Nationality: Nigerian
Teams: Miami Heat
Precious Ezinna Achiuwa (born September 19, 1999) is a Nigerian professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the... more