Unsurprisingly, the San Antonio Spurs, who picked up the first spot in the 2023 draft, chose the incredible Victor Wembanyama. However, we had to wait until the 2nd round to see an African international called up by Adam Silver. These were Nigeria's James Nnaji and Senegal's Mohamed Guèye.
The die had long been cast for the top spot in the 2023 NBA draft. And since San Antonio won the lottery a few days ago, we also knew that the legendary franchise of Tony Parker, the best basketball player in French history, would be welcoming the phenomenon Victor Wembanyama.
The 19-year-old Frenchman is the son of former Congolese high jumper Felix Wembanyama. So his NBA adventure has officially begun. The other Frenchman drafted in the first round is also of African origin. Bilal Coulibaly. He was born in Paris in July 2004 to Senegalese parents.
Unlike Victor Wembanyama, Coulibaly will not be staying with the team that drafted him. Picked up in 7th place by the Pacers, the Parisian winger was subsequently sent to the Wizzards. A franchise in the midst of a major rebuild, the Wizzards have just transferred their best player Bradley Beal to the Suns and picked up promising Warriors fullback Jordan Poole.
A little way behind Wembanyama are Nnaji and Guèye
Finally, to find a player of African nationality in this 2023 draft, you have to look to the second round with James Nnaji. The Nigerian inside forward, who recently won the Spanish championship with FC Barcelona, was selected 31st by the Pistons. But he won't be playing in Detroit, as the spot had been ceded to the Celtics. Boston then sent him to Charlotte. The interior will therefore be with the Hornets.
OFFICIAL: We have agreed in principle to trade the draft rights to Colby Jones and Mouhamed Gueye to the Boston Celtics as part of a trade to be finalized later in which we will acquire the draft rights to James Nnaji, the 31st pick.
Full release here: https://t.co/uWy0sI1seW pic.twitter.com/BbTbxNllcU
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 23, 2023
James Nnaji recently posted videos of himself training with Serge Ibaka, the Spanish pivot of Congolese origin. The 18-year-old (2m11, 113kg) joined Barça's first team at the age of 16. This season, he has played 56 games in all competitions for the Catalans.
The other African to be drafted is Mohamed Guèye from Senegal. Also a pivot, he was selected by the Hornets in 39th place. But the Hornets sent him to the Atlanta Hawks in a swap deal with Boston. Born in Dakar, the 20-year-old averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds with Washington State this season.
.@rassoul_gueye is the Next Coug to set @NBA on 🔥
Congrats Mo on being the No. 39 Pick in the 2023 #NBADraft!!!#GoCougs | #WheatfieldUnderdogs pic.twitter.com/wJvcTW7Ixt
— WSU Men's Basketball (@WSUCougarMBB) June 23, 2023
