2023 NBA Draft recap

In a not so shocking move, the San Antonio Spurs, who picked first in the 2023 NBA draft, selected the young French-Congolese talent, Victor Wembanyama.

Ever since San Antonio won the lottery a few weeks back, it was widely expected that the former home of ex-Spurs point guard Tony Parker, the best basketball player in French history, would soon be welcoming the phenom Wembanyama.

The 19-year-old Frenchman is the son of former Congolese high jumper Felix Wembanyama. After Wembanyama was selected, another Frenchman was also drafted in the first round and also another of African origin. Bilal Coulibaly. Coulibaly was born in Paris to Senegalese parents.

Selected with the seventh pick by the Indiana Pacers, Coulibaly was subsequently sent to the Washington Wizards. A franchise in the midst of a major rebuild, the Wizards recently traded their best player, Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns and picked up promising Warriors guard Jordan Poole.

After the two French Africans, the next African player drafted came in the second round as James Nnaji was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 31st pick. The Nigerian forward recently won the Spanish championship with FC Barcelona. Unfortunately for Nnaji, his draft selection was also followed by a trade as he was selected by the Pistons for the Boston Celtics who then traded him to Charlotte.

The next and final African to be drafted was Mohamed Guèye from Senegal. Also a forward/center he was selected by the Hornets with the 39th pick Adabut the Hornets sent him to the Atlanta Hawks in a swap with Boston. Born in Dakar, the 20-year-old averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds with Washington State this season.

After the draft concluded, a few African players signed deals with various teams to participate in summer league and/or pre-season in hopes of playing in the league next season.

Tosan Evbuomwan- Detroit Pistons

Adama Sanogo- Chicago Bulls

Oscar Tshiebwe- Indiana Pacers