Two Players of Nigerian Descent Drafted in the NBA’s 1st Round

Victor Oladipo and Giannis Adetokunbo were two of the big names at Thursday's draft.

By Jamilah King Jun 28, 2013

There are already several high-profile Nigerian and Nigerian-American athletes in American sports: NBA legend Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon, Stanford’s Ogwumike sisters, and NFL pro ball cornerback Nnamdi Asomugh, just to name a few. But at Thursday’s NBA draft, that list just got a little bit longer.

Victor Oladipo was drafted second overall by the Orlando Magic and Giannis Adetokunbo was the 15th pick from the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Oladipo, 21, starred at Indiana while 18-year-old Adetokunbo was selected out of Greece.