By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    UNICEF Raises Alarm Over 14m Children Worldwide At Risk Of Malnutrition
    4 weeks ago
    United Nations for Women
    In 8 Days, 830 Killed In Gaza – UN Women Raises Alarm
    1 month ago
    Sudan
    Beijing Declaration: Nations Reiterates Commitment To Rights Of Women
    2 months ago
    VFS Global
    VFS Global Launches Artificial Intelligence -Powered Chatbot For UK Visa Customers In Nigeria, 140 Other Nations
    2 months ago
    Bigo Live’s Global Community Marks a Year of Influence at Annual Gala
    4 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    South Africa: North West Health Denies Reports Of Severe Medication Shortages In Facilities
    3 years ago
    United Nations Tasks Ghana Govt On Mental Health Care
    2 years ago
    Africa Climate Change Finance, Time For Private Sector Support
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    African Union Champions Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Socioeconomic Transformation
    1 month ago
    United Kingdom Looks to Deepen Energy Trade, Investment Ties with Africa
    2 months ago
    African Leaders Unite to Mobilize African Investment and Financing for Implementing Agenda 2063
    2 months ago
    How Youssouf Upset Odinga To Emerge New AU Chair
    3 months ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Tinubu: Abdulmalik, Olonisakin, Buratai, Others Visit Lagos, Meet Lagos Speaker
    2 years ago
    Olopade celebrates Daniel’s APC Victory In Ogun
    2 years ago
    Democracy In Africa In Crisis, Afrobarometer Warns
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    LG Election: Stakeholders Appeal To APC Not To Allow Chairmen Run For 3rd term
    2 days ago
    More APC Chairmanship Aspirants Reject Indirect Primary For Local Govt Elections In Lagos State
    4 days ago
    Youth Party Sets May 18 for Lagos LG Primary Elections, Slashes Fees For Women and PWDs
    3 weeks ago
    Oyo State Faces Herculean Task in Picking Makinde’s Successor – Chief Ayorinde
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    11 months ago
    Latest News
    Lagos Govt Organises Canada Overseas Study Tour For Youth Leaders
    6 days ago
    May Day 2025: CAPPA Urges FG, States to Prioritise Workers Welfare, Demands Implementation of a Living Wage
    1 week ago
    Umuezie Elections: Unity In Political Diversity is Key For Community Development, Former IMSUAA Boss Tells New Executive
    2 weeks ago
    2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Report Exposes Growing Mistrust Among Nigerians Towards Their Leaders, CEOs
    4 days ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Multichoice Nigeria Launches ‘M-Net All Black Entertainment’ Pop-Up Channel This Festive Season
    2 years ago
    GOtv
    Jumanji, WWE Hall of Fame, Other Exciting Content Lined Up for you This Easter Holiday on GOtv
    2 years ago
    Nigerian Idol S8: Chisom Evicted On A Weekend Of Surprises
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Prestige, Impact: Why AMVCA is the People’s Award Show
    9 hours ago
    Celebrating African Cinema: AMVCA’s Growing Influence in Global Entertainment
    2 weeks ago
    Boulder International Film Festival Announces 2026 Festival Dates
    3 weeks ago
    Voices of the Future: How MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Filmmakers are Redefining African Storytelling
    4 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Tinubu Promises More Investment In Art And Culture
    8 months ago
    Radisson Hotel Group Announces Three New Hotels In Nigeria
    2 years ago
    Fanti Carnival Returns To Lagos This Easter Sunday
    3 weeks ago
    Latest News
    Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and Toledo Museum of Art Launch Historic Cultural Exchange
    16 hours ago
    Piracy in Africa’s Creative Sector: How Creators Can Protect Their Content
    3 weeks ago
    Fanti Carnival Returns To Lagos This Easter Sunday
    3 weeks ago
    Ara Adire Fashion Show 2025 To Celebrate Culture, Style And Creativity In Abeokuta
    1 month ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Unity Bank Launches GenFi, Targets Children, Teens With Gamified Banking Platform
    3 days ago
    Africa Energies Summit
    Africa Energies Summit in London Must Prioritize Hiring Black Africans
    3 days ago
    Fitch Rating: Lagos Economy Is Stable
    6 days ago
    National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency
    How Nigeria Lost $78.2m To Gas Flaring In Early 2025
    1 week ago
    BUA Foods Records N125bn Profit As Revenue Grows By 24% In Q1 2025 Unaudited Financial Results
    1 week ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    Marburg Virus: Ghana Records Third Death
    3 years ago
    Ilera Eko Social Health Plan Extends Scope To More Benefits For Lagos Govt Staff
    2 years ago
    Boyfriend Gives Mother And Child HIV
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    VillageReach Names Dr. Ahmed Ogwell As CEO To Drive Its 2030 Strategy
    1 week ago
    Trump’s Trade War: Prescription Drugs Become a Target
    4 weeks ago
    BPAN Unveils Free Healthcare Program for Nigerian boxers, signs MOU with NIH
    4 weeks ago
    More Than A Disease, TB Is A Symptom Of Underinvestment By Dr Allan Pamba
    4 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: 12 International Players From 8 Countries Selected In NBA Draft 2023 Presented By State Farm®
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Sports > 12 International Players From 8 Countries Selected In NBA Draft 2023 Presented By State Farm®
Sports

12 International Players From 8 Countries Selected In NBA Draft 2023 Presented By State Farm®

Last updated: 2023/06/26 at 5:59 PM
2 years ago
Share
SHARE

Twelve international players from eight countries were selected: three in the first round and nine in the second round. Seven players, either born in Africa or with direct ties to the continent, were among last night’s international draftees.

Nigeria’s James Nnaji said on draft night: “For me, it’s a very special moment. For me coming from Africa, never having this dream to play in the NBA, and all of a sudden things started to change, started coming my way. It’s one of the most exciting moments of my life. I’m really excited to have this opportunity.”

Please find the photos attached (please credit (NBAE/Getty Images) and below storylines about the African players selected in the NBA Draft. Transcripts of media availability sessions with draftees in attendance are available at (https://apo-opa.info/44gxVJb).

NBA Draft 2023 presented by State Farm®

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Victor Wembanyama (France, ties to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Metropolitans 92) was selected 1st overall by the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the 14th international player to be selected first overall and the highest-drafted French player ever. This year, Wembanyama became the youngest player ever to win MVP of France’s LNB after averaging 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. There have been more NBA players from France than from any other country outside North America, including nine last season. This marks the eighth consecutive year that a French player was drafted.

Bilal Coulibaly (France, ties to Mali; Metropolitans 92) was selected 7th overall by the Indiana Pacers and traded to the Washington Wizards, marking the first time ever that two French players were selected in the top 10. Coulibaly played with Wembanyama for Metropolitans 92 in the LNB, splitting the 2022-23 season between the top pro league in France and its under-21 league.

James Nnaji (Nigeria; FC Barcelona) was selected 31st overall by the Detroit Pistons, becoming the fifth player from Nigeria to be selected in the last five years. Nnaji, who started playing basketball in 2016, has two seasons of experience playing for FC Barcelona in the ACB and EuroLeague. In 2018, Nnaji participated in a Giants of Africa camp, an organization founded by Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri, who is also from Nigeria. Opening-night rosters for the 2022-23 NBA season featured a record-tying five players from Nigeria, 16 players from Africa, and more than 50 players with at least one parent from Africa. In total, there have been more than 125 NBA players either born in Africa or with at least one parent from Africa.

Mouhamed Gueye (Senegal; Washington State University) was selected 39th overall by the Charlotte Hornets.

Rayan Rupert (France, ties to Morocco; New Zealand Breakers) was selected 43rd overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. Rupert played this past season for the New Zealand Breakers in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) as part of the Next Stars Program, which has helped develop LaMelo Ball, Ousmane Dieng, Josh Giddey and R.J. Hampton into NBA players in recent years.

Sidy Cissoko (France, ties to Senegal; NBA G League Ignite) was selected 44th overall by the San Antonio Spurs, marking the second consecutive season and third time ever that at least four French players were selected (2022, 2016). Cissoko was the first European-born prospect to play for NBA G League Ignite.

Toumani Camara (Belgium, ties to Mali; University of Dayton) was selected 52nd overall by the Phoenix Suns, becoming the second Belgian player to be drafted into the NBA (Axel Hervelle in 2005).

You Might Also Like

Popular Comedian, Mr Macaroni, Celebrates His Birthday With Madestone Academy In Ibadan

AMIOA Day: Ajayi, Others Congratulate Agege Council Team For Winning Football Tournament

Lagos State League: Young Strikers Coach Confident Of Victory Against Chekas Feeders

BFN Boss, Orbih Hails Abia Govt’s Partnership For International Tourney

CBN Junior Tennis Open: Yahaya, Mofi Emerge Most Outstanding Players

TAGGED: NBA
INadminNG June 26, 2023 June 26, 2023
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article Natural Gas Represents Tremendous Opportunities for Africa — We Must Seize Them Now
Next Article Savy Henry Evicted From Nigerian Idol Season 8
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?