Preseason African Big Board (v.2)
The final (NCAA) preseason board featuring the world's best available African NBA draft prospects from around the world, and their projected professional ceilings.
Having completed more research, watched ungodly amounts of early-season international games, preseason NCAA exhibitions, scrimmages and practices, we’ve compiled a revamped and final preseason big board ranking players of African heritage.
With so many players in new locations, getting early peaks at how they look in new situations was informative. That said, not every team played preseason competition and competition levels varied greatly so we recognize potential biases.
We found new talent worthy of including on this board and also shifted some rankings significantly. Some notable risers from the last edition include Michael Ajayi (#8 to #5), Mouhamed Faye (#37 to #6), Oswin Erhunmwunse (#50 to #11), Seydou Traoré (#24 to #15), and Saliou Niang (unranked to #28) among others.
Given our lens, we compiled a board of nearly 100 players of African backgrounds who have a professional outlook.
Like our last one, this big board series is meant to serve as a resource for NBA, international and G League player evaluation. It could even be referenced for the next time the NCAA transfer portal opens.
Players are ranked in best available order, with their ceiling listed as well. The ceiling is our determination based on if players go pro after this season, even if they are realistically two seasons away. A projected 2026 first rounder who is eligible this year could be seen as a two-way candidate in the 2025 draft cycle, for example.
The possible ceilings for each player include the following:
Top five
Top ten
Lottery
First round
Second round
Two-way
International/G League
This board’s “first round” (the first 30 prospects) is available to all. Upgrade your subscription to access to the full, 98-player long big board.
1. Nolan Traoré
6’4” | PG | St. Quentin (France)
Ceiling: Top five
African country: Mali
2. Khaman Maluach
7’2” | C | Duke
Ceiling: Top ten
African country: South Sudan
3. Noa Essengue
6’9” | F | Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Ceiling: Lottery
African country: Cameroon
4. Kwame Evans
6’9” | F | Oregon
Ceiling: Lottery
African country: Ghana
5. Michael Ajayi
6’7” | SF | Gonzaga
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Nigeria
6. Mouhamed Faye
6’10” | C | Reggio Emilia (Italy)
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Senegal
7. Baye Ndongo
6’9” | PF | Georgia Tech
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Senegal
8. Jack Kayil
6’4” | PG | KK Mega Mis (Serbia)
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Ghana
9. Malik Dia
6’9” | PF | Ole Miss
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Senegal
10. Christ Essandoko
7’0” | C | Providence
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Democratic Republic of Congo
11. Oswin Erhunmwunse
6’10” | C | Providence
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Nigeria
12. Garwey Dual
6’3” | CG | Seton Hall
Ceiling: First Round
African country: South Sudan
13. Flory Bidunga
6’9” | C | Kansas
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Democratic Republic of Congo
14. Eli Ndiaye
6’9” | PF/C | Real Madrid (Spain)
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Senegal
15. Seydou Traoré
6’7” | WF | Iowa
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Côte d’Ivoire
16. Adama Bal
6’7” | SG | Santa Clara
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Senegal
17. Adou Thiero
6’8” | SG/SF | Arkansas
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Mali
18. Omaha Biliew
6’8” | F | Wake Forest
Ceiling: Second Round
African country: South Sudan
19. Aboubacar Traoré
6’5” | SF | Louisville
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Côte d’Ivoire
20. Rueben Chinyelu
6’10” | C | Florida
Ceiling: Second Round
African country: Nigeria
21. Otega Oweh
6’5” | SG | Kentucky
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Nigeria
22. TJ Bamba
6’5” | SG | Oregon
Ceiling: Second Round
African country: Senegal
23. Alier Maluk
6’10” | WF | Florida State
Ceiling: Second Round
African country: South Sudan
24. Annor Boateng
6’6” | G | Missouri
Ceiling: Second Round
African country: Ghana
25. Moustapha Thiam
7’2” | C | Central Florida
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Senegal
26. Great Osobor
6’8” | F | Washington
Ceiling: Second Round
African country: Nigeria
27. Mackenzie Mgbako
6’8” | F | Indiana
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Nigeria
28. Saliou Niang
6’7” | SG/SF | Trento (Italy)
Ceiling: Second Round
African country: Senegal
29. Dame Sarr
6’6” | CG | Barcelona (Spain)
Ceiling: First Round
African country: Senegal
30. Abdramane Siby
6’11” | C | OKK Beograd (Serbia)
Ceiling: Second Round
African country: Mali
