In as much as basketball is booming in the streets of Australia,  United States and other parts of the world, do you think it is only The West that contributed to the success of basketball in the whole world? I don’t think so.  Here we are going to explore how the great game has developed on the continent of Africa and some of the key movers and shakers within.

Basketball has been played in Africa for several decades, but it has only recently begun to gain popularity on the continent. The sport was first introduced to Africa by American missionaries and peace corps volunteers in the early 20th century, but it did not catch on until the 1970s and 1980s, when the continent began to see an influx of American expatriates and the arrival of satellite television.

Since then, basketball has become one of the most popular sports in Africa, especially in countries such as Angola, Nigeria, and Senegal, which have produced some of the continent’s top players.

In recent years, the sport has also gained popularity among women in Africa, with many countries now fielding competitive women’s teams. The sport has also been used as a tool for development, with organisations such as Hoops for Hope using basketball to promote education and health awareness in disadvantaged communities.

The African basketball has also grown in terms of the level of the game. The continent has been represented by many teams in the World Basketball Cup and some of the top players in the world now comes from Africa. The NBA has also started to tap into this talent pool by drafting more African players into the league, and has also opened academies in Africa to develop young talent.

Overall, basketball has become an important part of African culture and continues to grow in popularity, as well as the level of the game.

Consequently, basketball became a popular sport in Africa and worldwide and as is the case with the evolution of basketball, the game has become professional.  Basketball today is the second most popular team sport on the continent of Africa with football being the first.  Forgetting the racial prejudice, African basketball players are becoming a growing and formidable force in the National Australian leagues. Come to think of it, almost every team in the National Basketball League has at least one player with an African background. As the former National Basketball League coach Rob Beveridge said, the rise in African players is an exciting development for the game. 

We bring to you a list of top African players both in Australia and around the world.

Didi Louzada (Brazil) – Sydney Kings (NBL) (Didi Louzada is Brazilian but has African heritage)
Anthony Drmic (Australia) – Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Deng Adel (South Sudan) – Illawarra Hawks (NBL)
Ramone Moore (United States) – Brisbane Bullets (NBL)
Amath M’Baye (Senegal) – Perth Wildcats (NBL)
Isaac Humphries (Australia) – Melbourne United (NBL)
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (South Sudan) – Illawarra Hawk (NBL)
Rotnei Clarke (United States) – Illawarra Hawks (NBL)
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (Australia) – Melbourne United (NBL)
Adris Deleon (United States) – Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Olumide Oyedeji (Nigeria) – BC Dzukija Alytus (Lithuania)
Makhtar Ndiaye (Senegal) – Pau Orthez (France)
Makan Traore (Mali) – Rasta Vechta (Germany)
Pape Sow (Senegal) – JDA Dijon (France)
Amath M’Baye (Senegal) – Cholet Basket (France)

Moustapha Fall (Senegal) – Cholet Basket (France)
Mouhammadou Jaiteh (France) – Valencia Basket (Spain)
Cheick Sane (Mali) – ASVEL Basket (France)
Babacar Toure (Senegal) – BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque (France)

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Nigeria) – Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)
Joel Embiid (Cameroon) – Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
Serge Ibaka (Congo) – Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)
Bismack Biyombo (Congo) – Charlotte Hornets (NBA)
Al-Farouq Aminu (Nigeria) – Free Agent (NBA)
Luc Mbah a Moute (Cameroon) – Free Agent (NBA)
Gorgui Dieng (Senegal) – Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
Cheick Diallo (Mali) – Phoenix Suns (NBA)
Jahlil Okafor (Nigeria) – Detroit Pistons (NBA)
Evan Fournier (France) – Boston Celtics (NBA) (Note: Evan Fournier is French but he is included him as he has African origins)