The world’s biggest basketball league, the National Basketball Association (NBA), yesterday, announced a record 25 Nigerian born players in a list of more than 60 players who were either born in Africa or have at least one parent born on the continent the opening-night rosters for the 2026-27 season.

Overall, the opening-night rosters feature 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries across six continents, including 70 European players, marking the second consecutive season and second time ever with at least that many.

The more than 60 players who were either born in Africa or have at least one parent born on the continent include more than 25 from or with at least one parent from Nigeria.

Among the more than 60 players are three-time NBA All-Star Bam Adebayo (Heat; ties to Nigeria), Antetokounmpo, two-time NBA champion OG Anunoby (New York Knicks; UK; ties to Nigeria), 2026 No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa (Wizards; ties to the Republic of the Congo), 2022-23 Kia NBA MVP and seven-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon), and 2019 NBA champion and four-time NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers; Cameroon).

Players, who currently represent Nigeria or are eligible to play for the D’Tigers, in the list are Nigeria Ugonna Onyenso (Detroit Pistons), Charles Bassey (Golden State Warriors), Adem Bona (Philadelphia 76ers), Precious Achiuwa (Sacramento Kings), Josh Okogie (Utah Jazz) and Felix Okpara (Washington Wizards.

This is the sixth consecutive season that opening-night rosters feature at least 120 international players and the 13th straight season with at least 100 international players.

All 30 NBA teams feature at least one international player. The Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards feature a league-high seven each.

The record for international players (135) and the record for countries and territories represented (43) were set at the start of the 2025-26 and 2017-18 seasons, respectively.

Opening-night rosters feature more than 45 players who participated in Basketball Without Borders, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach programme.

The 81st NBA regular season tipped off yesterday with the Boston Celtics visiting the Detroit Pistons, the defending NBA champion Knicks hosting the 76ers and the Spurs meeting the Thunder in San Antonio. (The Guardian)