NBA Draft: African Big Board
The draft's best available African players from around the world and their projected landing spots updated regularly
With the NBA Draft finally upon us, we scoured the globe for every draft-eligible African player (including auto-eligible athletes) in the diaspora.
While we ranked them in terms of who we’ve determined is best available for NBA teams, G League affiliates and international clubs, we also projected their anticipated landing spots based on our own analysis and consensus intel.
The possible projections for each player include no more than two of the following:
Draft position and team
UDFA signee
Two-way contract
G League
International
1. Alexandre Sarr (projected 2nd to WAS)
7’1” | 224 lbs | PF/C | Perth (Australia)
9.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 50% FG
UPDATE: Drafted 2nd to WAS
A fluid big who looks to have an immediate impact on defense, Sarr is a vertical lob threat who excels in transition and looks to be a respectable shooter from distance.
2. Pacome Dadiet (projected 28th to DEN)
6’8” | 210 lbs | SF | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
6.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.5 SPG
UPDATE: Drafted 25th to NYK
A smooth scorer with size, Dadiet is a proficient spot-up and pull-up shooter. He started the year playing more off the ball but progressed to show a lot more on-ball creation juice.
3. Tidjane Salaun (projected 13th to SAC)
6’10” | 217 lbs | SF | Cholet (France)
9.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.1 SPG
UPDATE: Drafted 6th to CHA
A physical specimen with legit shooting touch from range Salaun shows promise shooting as well as great defensive ability with his length. His fortified mindset gives many reason to believe he has one of the highest ceilings in this draft.
4. Yves Missi (projected 21st to NOP)
7’0” | 229 lbs | C | Baylor
17 PPG, 9 RPB, 2.4 BPG
UPDATE: Drafted 21st to NOP
Relatively new to the game of basketball, Missi boasts an impressive block rate and is more mobile than many would assume. His defensive understanding and vertical spacing threat make him an intriguing first round prospect.
5. Jonathan Mogbo (projected 41st to PHI)
6’7.5” | 217 lbs | PF | San Fransisco
17.8 PPG, 12.7 RPB, 4.6 APG, 2.0 SPG
UPDATE: Drafted 31st to TOR
Mogbo is a solid finisher at the rim, shows touch when passing, and though undersized he properly uses his impressive wingspan on the defensive end. He does not shoot but assist and rebound rates were off the charts.
6. Ulrich Chomche (projected 31st to TOR)
6’11” | 232 lbs | PF/C | NBA Academy Africa
15.6 PPG, 10.8 RPB, 4.0 APG, 3.2 BPG, 1.6 SPG
UPDATE: Drafted 57th to TOR; signed two-year two-way
Chomche is a high upside finisher that the right team would be wise to take a gamble on. His approach to the game and fearlessness are almost as important as his defensive prowess and athleticism.
7. Adem Bona (projected 40th to POR)
6’9” | 243 lbs | C | UCLA
12.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1,8 BPG
UPDATE: Drafted 41st to PHI
A proper finisher in transition and rolling after setting solid screens. Covers a ton of ground and is one of the most athletic big men in this class.
8. Oso Ighodaro (projected 38th to NYK)
6’10.75” | 222 lbs | PF | Marquette
15 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.4 BPG
UPDATE: Drafted 40th to PHX
A cerebral forward who is capable of commandeering an offense, Ighodaro overcomes unorthodox shooting form with pure athleticism and advanced feel for the game.
9. Ariel Hukporti (projected two-way)
7’0” | 246 lbs | C | Melbourne United (Australia)
7.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 BPG
UPDATE: Drafted 58th to NYK
A rebounding big man with rim protection potential, Hukporti’s measureables are enticing to any NBA team.
10. Tristan Enaruna (projected UDFA signee)
6’8” | 200 lbs | G | Cleveland State
20 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.7 APG
UPDATE: signed Exhibit-10 with BOS
An underrated yet polished forward, Enaruna was a scoring machine and will be ready to contribute from day one. His shooting and finishing ability will be useful to whatever team lands him.
11. N’Faly Dante (projected two-way)
6’11” | 230 lbs | C | Oregon
17 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.9 BPG
UPDATE: Signed two-way with HOU
Despite attempting to return to school, the dominant big man showed unstoppable strength in the post and as a finisher.
12. Drew Cissé (projected two-way)
6’11” | 230 lbs | F | Western Illinois
8.5 PPG, 11 RPG, 2.4 APG
The OVC’s Defensive Player of the Year is extremely active on the offensive glass, smoothly runs in transition, and shows good touch around the rim on post-ups.
13. Mohamed Diarra (projected G League/International)
6’10” | 215 lbs | F | NC State
6.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1 BPG
UPDATE: Summer League with LAL
The rebounding machine came alive the second half of this season, helping lead NC State through a Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament. Long and agile, Diarra has an opportunity to slide between the SF, PF and C positions.
14. Armel Traore (projected two-way)
6’8” | 210 lbs | F | Blois (France)
10.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.5 APG
UPDATE: Signed two-way with LAL
The physical wing can carve out a role as someone who can contain guards as well as protect the rim with verticality.
15. Babacar Sane (projected two-way)
6’7” | 230 lbs | F | G League Ignite
11 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 45% FG
UPDATE: Signed Exhibit-10 with UTA
A physical specimen who can out-muscle, out-jump and out-run almost any matchup, Sane is intriguing off his measurements alone. He thrives in transition and loves to get downhill.
16. Olivier Nkamhoua (projected two-way)
6’8” | 223 lbs | F | Michigan
14.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.7 APG
UPDATE: Summer League with POR; signed with Chemnitz (Germany)
Nkamhoua has impressive length and will lean on his defensive ability at the next level. He also has shown comfortability shooting spot-up 3’s and at the free throw line.
17. Josh Oduro (projected two-way)
6’9” | 235 lbs | PF/C | Providence
16 PPG, 8 RPG, 1 BPG
UPDATE: Summer League with NOP
Oduro is on an upward trajectory, having improved every season, even after transferring up from George Mason to Providence. A polished all-around player who can shoot, defend and distribute, he is the type of talent that can bolster an NBA bench.
18. Ali Ali (projected two-way)
6’8” | 205 lbs | G | Akron
16 PPG, 4 RPG, 3 APG
UPDATE: Mini-camp with CLE
The long rangy wing helped Akron reach the NCAA Tournament with his shifty scoring ability and playmaking.
19. Jaden Bediako (projected G League)
6’10” | 245 lbs | C | Seton Hall
8 PPG, 7 RPG, 2 BPG
UPDATE: Signed with Saskatchewan Rattlers (Canada)
Another big man who won’t stop improving, Bediako doesn’t seem ready to stop yet. He has more polish than one would think and seems to add a new skill each year.
20. Qudus Wahab (projected two-way)
6’11” | 245 lbs | C | Penn State
10 PPG, 8 RPG, 2 BPG
UPDATE: Signed with Happy Valley Hoopers (TBT)
A prototypical center prospect, Wahab finishes well above the rim, posts up and swats shots voraciously.
21. Russel Tchewa (projected G League)
7’0” | 275 lbs | C | Georgia
7 PPG, 6 RPG, 55% FG
Tchewa’s size and measurements will be hard for teams to ignore, and he was relatively productive and efficient given his role in Georgia’s team.
22. Yvan Ouedraogo (projected G League/International)
6’9” | 250 lbs | F/C | Cal Baptist
10 PPG, 9 RPG, 50% FG
UPDATE: Signed with Calgary Surge (Canada)
23. Akok Akok (projected G League)
6’10” | 225 lbs | F | West Virginia
3 PPG, 3 RPG, 45% FG
24. Issa Muhammad (projected G League/International)
6’9” | 240 lbs | PF | UT-Martin
11 PPG, 9 RPG, 51% FG
25. Fousseyni Drame (projected G League/International)
6’7” | 200 lbs | F | Duquesne
7 PPG, 6 RPG, 48% FG
26. John Ojiako (projected G League/International)
6’10” | 245 lbs | C | Coastal Carolina
13 PPG, 11 RPG, 64% FG
UPDATE: Signed with Poitiers (France)
27. Jonathan Tchatchoua (projected G League/International)
6’8” | 245 lbs | PF | Baylor
1 PPG, 1 RPG, 46% FG
UPDATE: Coached Summer League with SAS
28. Akol Arop (projected G League/International)
6’5” | 203 lbs | SF | Florida Southern
14 PPG, 8 RPG, 55% FG
29. David Muoka (projected G League/International)
6’10” | 235 lbs | PF | Long Island Nets (G League)
4 PPG, 5 RPG, 1 BPG
UPDATE: Summer League with BKN
30. Souleymane Doumbia (projected G League/International)
6’11” | 230 lbs | C | Sam Houston State
7 PPG, 4 RPG, 1 BPG
31. Ismael Massoud (projected G League/International)
6’9” | 213lbs | F | Georgetown
6 PPG, 3 RPG, 92% FT
32. David Okwera (projected G League/International)
7’0” | 251 lbs | F | Perth Wildcats (Australia)
2 PPG, 2 RPG, 44% FG
UPDATE: Staying with Perth; signed with East Perth (Australia)
33. Kurt-Curry Wegscheider (projected G League/International)
6’5 | 202 lbs | G | Lubbock Christian
9 PPG, 5 RPG, 52% FG
34. Karim Coulibaly (projected International)
6’9” | 235 lbs | F | UMass Lowell
9 PPG, 5 RPG, 59% FG
35. Daniel Onwenu (projected International)
6’6” | 202 lbs | G | Corinthians (Brazil)
8 PPG, 4 RPG, 1 SPG
36. Patrick Mwamba (projected G League/International)
6’7” | 210 lbs | SF | Loyola-Chicago
3 PPG, 2 RPG, 35% FG
37. Aidan Igiehon (projected International)
6’10” | 250 lbs | C | Abilene Christian
3 PPG, 3 RPG, 35% FG
38. Jonathan Aku (projected International)
6’11” | 255 lbs | C | Grambling State
4 PPG, 5 RPG, 58% FG
39. Rudy Demahis Ballou (International: Orleans)
6’3” | G | Chalons-Reims (France)
5 PPG, 3 APG, 2 RPG
40. Idrissa Ba (International: Le Portel)
7’0” | C | Pau Orthez (France)
4 PPG, 6 RPG, 62% FG
41. Jayson Tchicamboud (projected International)
6’5” | G | Denain (France)
4 PPG, 3 APG, 1 SPG
42. Ike Mushila (projected International)
6’5” | 210 lbs | G/F | New Mexico
2 PPG, 3 RPG, 29% FG
43. Ibrahim Magassa (projected International)
6’8” | 220 lbs | G/F | Iraugi (Spain ‘23)
6 PPG 1 RPG 34% FG
Informed by data from Basketball Reference, RealGM and Rookie Scale.
Great work! Would have been even more helpful to have the respective countries of every player