2025 NBA Draft: African Big Board
The draft's best available African players from around the world and their projected landing spots. Updated regularly.
It’s the most important day in an NBA hopeful’s career — Draft Day. With the big day finally upon us, we compiled our insights from the season into a final ranking.
All year, we scoured the globe for every draft-eligible African player (including auto-eligible athletes) in the diaspora, routinely ranking them in our big boards. Given the current landscape around the NCAA transfer portal and associated NIL opportunities, many capable athletes opted to return to school instead of taking their chances professionally. This year’s record number of returnees thinned the potential second round significantly, clearing the way for plenty of surprises on draft night.
We ranked players in terms of who we’ve determined is best available for NBA teams, G League affiliates and international clubs based on their gameplay and intel. We also projected their anticipated landing spots based on our own analysis and consensus intel.
*Note: heights are listed without shoes for all prospects who participated in pre-draft evaluations.
The possible projections for each player include no more than two of the following:
Draft position and team
Two-way contract
Exhibit-10
G League
International
1. Khaman Maluach (projected 8th to BKN)
7’0.75” | 252 lbs | C | Duke
8.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 71% FG
Draft Result: TBD
An evolving big who is growing into his offensive skillset. Maluach is a rim protecting center who is an immediate lob threat. His defensive ability will be his initial calling card, look for his offensive game to expand as he gets more comfortable with NBA nuance
2. Noa Essengue (projected 9th to TOR)
6’10” | 204 lbs | F | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
10.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.9 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
A long and versatile combo forward who attacks with aggression, disrupts defensively, and draws fouls at a high rate. Essengue can add significant strength to his frame and has the ability to guard multiple positions. Shooting and role definition are areas of concern.
3. Adou Thiero (projected 34th to CHA)
6’6.25” | 218 lbs | F | Arkansas
15.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
A physical specimen who shows elite athletic and defensive potential. Look for a team to take an upside swing with Thiero, banking on his work ethic and past indicators to develop an outside shot.
4. Nolan Traore (projected 22nd to BKN)
6’3” | 175 lbs | PG | Saint Quentin (France)
12.2 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 4.7 APG
Draft Result: TBD
Speedy lead guard who uses an explosive first step to get downhill and create advantages for himself and his teammates. Defense and shooting remain questions for the young point guard.
5. Yanic Konan Niederhauser (projected 30th to LAL)
6’11.25” | 243 lbs | C | Penn State
12.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
A late riser in the draft process, Niederhauser is a prototypical athletic rim runner and rim protector. He finishes strong and has very good mobility.
6. John Tonje (projected 42nd to SAC)
6’4.75” | 212 lbs | SG | Wisconsin
19.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.8 APG
Draft Result: TBD
A storybook bounce back season saw Tonje expand upon his consistent shooting skill to become an extremely productive All-American scorer. Ancillary skills around scoring are questions for his suitors.
7. Arthur Kaluma (projected Two-Way)
6’7” | 220 lbs | PF | Texas
12.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
An energy forward capable of scoring within an offense and in isolation, he improved his versatile skill set by refining his efficiency from long range. Teams may question his positional fit.
8. Abdullah Ahmed (projected Exhibit-10)
6’8.25” | 255 lbs | C | Westchester Knicks (G League)
4.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 0.9 APG, 2.8 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
Making up for being slightly undersized with long reach, good athleticism and timing, Ahmed’s league-leading defense can translate to the NBA now. His utter lack of offensive production could be a red flag.
9. Saliou Niang (projected 59th to HOU)
6’7” | 204 lbs | F | Trento (Italy)
7.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.7 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
A swiss army knife of a player, Niang boasts a ton of defensive upside and general versatility. Able to guard multiple positions and play on or off the ball as a guard or forward, shooting will be a question.
10. Mohamed Diawara (projected Two-Way)
6’9” | F | Cholet (France)
6.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.7 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
An intriguing frame, defensive upside, and functional versatility may be hard to pass up for the team that picks up Diawara. Long range shooting consistency and efficiency are in question.
11. Oumar Ballo (projected Exhibit-10)
7’0” | 260 lbs | C | Indiana
13 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 62% FG
Draft Result: TBD
Physically ready for the league as a prototypical rim runner, Ballo’s issues tend to begin off the court with maturity and motivation questions.
12. Eli N’Diaye (projected Exhibit-10)
6’9” | F | Real Madrid
3.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.5 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
An athletic combo forward who doesn’t demand the ball to be effective, N’Diaye is an ideal role player. A lack of a consistent shot and significant production could be a hurdle.
13. Adama Bal (International: Strasbourg)
6’7” | 201 lbs | G | Santa Clara
12.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3 APG
Bal was an offensive weapon thanks to his deep range and quick release. Though he improved as a playmaker, he opted to sign in France rather than wait for the draft process to play out.
14. Obinna Anochili-Killen (projected Exhibit-10)
6’8” | 224 lbs | F | Marshall
14.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.2 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
Anochili-Killen uses his elite 7’4” wingspan to be a defensive force against wings and bigs along with a versatile offensive skill set. His age could be a limiting factor.
15. Clifford Omoruyi (projected Two-Way)
6’11” | 240 lbs | C | Alabama
7.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
A high-energy big man who thrives as a roll man/rim runner. A down year production-wise lowered his stock.
16. Samson Johnson (projected Exhibit-10)
6’10” | 205 lbs | C | Connecticut
7.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 1 APG
Draft Result: TBD
A fluid big man who knows how to pay an ancillary role, Johnson can operate as a low-usage glue-guy.
17. Aziz Bandaogo (projected G League/International)
7’0” | 225 lbs | C | Cincinnati
7.4 PPG, 6 RPG, 1.4 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
Bandaogo moves well and uses his length to protect the rim and crash the glass. Despite his skill, his numbers on both fronts have steadily declined year over year.
18. Abou Ousmane (projected Exhibit-10)
6’10” | 250 lbs | C | Oklahoma State
12.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1 BPG, 1 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
Large and skilled with long arms, Ousmane’s physical strength and finesse help him impact both sides of the ball. He also shot 40% on a respectable one three-point attempt per game.
19. Ousmane N’Diaye (projected Two-Way)
6’9.5” | 210 lbs | PF | Granada (Spain)
3.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.3 APG
Draft Result: TBD
Excellent length and a capable perimeter skill set are intriguing qualities for N’diaye, who could theoretically play multiple positions. His consistent lack of production is a concern.
20. Selton Miguel (projected Exhibit-10)
6’4” | 210 lbs | SG | Maryland
11.6 PPG, 1 SPG, 1.8 APG, 42% 3PT
Draft Result: TBD
Miguel is a knockdown shooter from deep, getting up a healthy volume and making them at a high rate. Aside from age, his only limitation could be his size.
21. David N’Guessan (projected Exhibit-10)
6’9” | 205 lbs | PF | Kansas State
13.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
N’Guessan brings a ton of energy on the glass and defensive end thanks to length and effort. A broken jump shot is his biggest area of concern.
22. Nelly Junior Joseph (projected Exhibit-10)
6’9” | 275 lbs | C | New Mexico
14.2 PPG, 11 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.3 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
New Mexico’s heart and soul, Junior Joseph was there glue doing everything needed to help them succeed. Being slightly undersized could hurt him.
23. Hassan Diarra (projected G League/International)
6’2” | 197 lbs | PG | Connecticut
7.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.7 APG
Draft Result: TBD
24. TJ Bamba (projected Exhibit-10)
6’5” | 208 lbs | G | Oregon
10.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3 APG
Draft Result: TBD
25. Bez Mbeng (projected Exhibit-10)
6’4” | 195 lbs | G | Yale
13 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.8 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
26. Josh Uduje (projected Exhibit-10)
6’5” | 175 lbs | SG | San Jose State
16.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
27. Chibuzo Agbo (projected G League/International)
6’7” | 215 lbs | SG | USC
11.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 40% 3PT
Draft Result: TBD
28. Great Osobor (projected Exhibit-10)
6’8” | 245 lbs | PF | Washington
14.8 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.9 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
29. Babacar Diallo (projected G League/International)
6’6” | 195 lbs | G | Kansas City
7.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.5 APG
Draft Result: TBD
30. Moulaye Sissoko (projected G League/International)
6’9” | 250 lbs | C | North Texas
7.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 0.7 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
31. Max Agbonkpolo (projected G League/International)
6’8” | 190 lbs | SG | Montana State
10.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
32. Essam Mostafa (projected G League/International)
6’9” | 250 lbs | C | Middle Tennessee
14.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.2 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
33. Dylan Addae-Wusu (projected G League/International)
6’4” | 235 lbs | G | Seton Hall
9.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
34. Allen David Mukeba (projected G League/International)
6’7 | 235 lbs | C | Oakland
14.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
35. Femi Odukale (projected G League/International)
6’5” | 185 lbs | G | Minnesota
6.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.2 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
36. Abdoulaye Thiam (projected G League/International)
6’4” | 180 lbs | SG | High Point
6 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.4 APG
Draft Result: TBD
37. Joe Bamisile (projected G League/International)
6’4” | 195 lbs | SG | VCU
15 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.1 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
38. Fousseyni Traore (International: Strasbourg)
6’6” | 254 lbs | F | BYU
8.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.3 APG
Draft Result: TBD
39. Francis Nwaokorie (projected G League/International)
6’7” | 220 lbs | PF | Loyola-Chicago
5.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 36% 3PT
Draft Result: TBD
40. Aboubacar Traore (projected G League/International)
6’5” | SF | Louisville
4.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.5 SPG
Draft Result: TBD
41. Nana Antwi-Boasiako (projected G League/International)
6’9” | C | Stephen F. Austin
8.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
42. Ryan Mutombo (projected G League/International)
7’2” | C | Georgia Tech
2.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.5 BPG
Draft Result: TBD
43. Mustapha Amzil (projected G League/International)
6’10” | 220 lbs | F | New Mexico
11.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 APG
Draft Result: TBD
Informed by data from Basketball Reference, RealGM and Rookie Scale.
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