# The 13 Greatest African-Born NBA Players of All Time

> Hall of Fame big men, rim-protecting giants and MVP-caliber stars who crossed oceans to dominate the league, spanning the whole continent and decades of history. Cast your vote!

*By YPB Team · Published June 23, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-13-greatest-african-born-nba-players-of-all-time*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Hakeem Olajuwon** — 100% (3 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Nigerian-born Hall of Fame center who led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back titles and is the NBA's all-time blocks leader.
2. **Luol Deng** — 0% (0 votes · score 503/1000)
   Sudan-born two-time All-Star forward who starred for the Chicago Bulls.
3. **Joel Embiid** — 0% (0 votes · score 436/1000)
   Cameroon-born center and 2023 NBA MVP, a dominant scorer for the Philadelphia 76ers.
4. **Manute Bol** — 0% (0 votes · score 436/1000)
   Sudan-born 7-foot-7 center, one of the greatest shot-blockers in NBA history.
5. **Thon Maker** — 0% (0 votes · score 435/1000)
   Sudan-born forward-center drafted in the 2016 NBA lottery by the Milwaukee Bucks.
6. **Bismack Biyombo** — 0% (0 votes · score 435/1000)
   DR Congo-born center known for his rim protection and shot-blocking across multiple NBA teams.
7. **Serge Ibaka** — 0% (0 votes · score 356/1000)
   Congo-born shot-blocker and NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors.
8. **Dikembe Mutombo** — 0% (0 votes · score 356/1000)
   DR Congo-born defensive giant, four-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Star.
9. **Festus Ezeli** — 0% (0 votes · score 356/1000)
   Nigeria-born center who won an NBA title with the Golden State Warriors in 2015.
10. **Cheick Diallo** — 0% (0 votes · score 261/1000)
   Mali-born forward who played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns.
11. **Pascal Siakam** — 0% (0 votes · score 261/1000)
   Cameroon-born All-Star forward who helped the Raptors win the 2019 championship.
12. **Gorgui Dieng** — 0% (0 votes · score 261/1000)
   Senegal-born big man who spent a decade in the NBA, mainly with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
13. **Steve Nash** — 0% (0 votes · score 145/1000)
   Johannesburg-born point guard and two-time NBA MVP renowned for elite playmaking.

Tags: africa, basketball, players, nba