The decline in Africa’s representation in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft didn’t get better with the class of 2025. From a solid representation of seven African draftees in 2023, there was a major dip to one in 2024, and it has now modestly rebounded to two in 2025.

South Sudan’s Khaman Maluach and Senegal’s Saliou Niang were Africa’s only representatives among the 59 players selected in the just-concluded 2025 NBA Draft. Nigeria’s Clifford Omoruyi was another African profile that was largely tipped to be selected by one of the 30 NBA teams, but his snub further underscores the continent’s ongoing struggle for presence in the yearly event.

It also reflects the decline of once-dominant African powerhouses like Nigeria, whose prospects were once a regular part of the draft pool. NBA icons like Hakeem Olajuwon, who went on to have one of the greatest careers in the sport globally, and Michael Olowokandi, the first overall pick in 1998, along with a couple of others, all emerged from Nigeria.

A drop of this sort can well be attributed to talent pool fluctuations from the continent, pre-draft declarations of the players, or teams’ strategic preferences. As such, it’s worth looking into the profiles of the two Africans who stood alongside the cream of the crop in this year’s draft.

Khaman Maluach (South Sudan)

Africa hasn’t seen many prospects like Maluach emerge in its basketball scene in recent years. Standing at 7’2’’ with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, the 18-year-old South Sudanese-born centre was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The pick was hardly surprising, given his steady rise over the years. Born in South Sudan and mostly raised in Uganda, Maluach’s foray into basketball began around age 13 before he joined the NBA Academy Africa at 14.

He played professionally in South Sudan for three seasons and was named the 2023 Basketball Without Borders MVP before attending Duke University during the 2024–25 campaign. He was also part of South Sudan’s Paris 2024 Olympics roster.

His entry into the 2025 draft as the 10th overall pick in the first round made him the highest draft selection to have participated in both the NBA Academy Africa and the Basketball Africa League.

Maluach is set to be included in the Rockets’ imminent deal for the legendary Kevin Durant, which will see him go to the Phoenix Suns.

“Being delusional about my dreams, believing I’d make it to the NBA one day, and now I’m here. I’m here representing the whole continent of Africa,” the 18-year-old told ESPN.

Saliou Niang (Senegal)

The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Niang as the 58th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 21-year-old, standing at 6’8”, played with Dolomiti Energia Trento in Italy last season. 

The Senegalese was a force for the Italian side, helping them to last season’s Italian Basketball Cup, averaging 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the season.  

Niang will, however, not be in the NBA just yet. According to multiple reports, the Senegalese forward is bound to be a draft-and-stash pick. This means he’d continue his development in Italy until the Cavaliers, who currently have limited roster space, settle their depth concerns and become confident in his fit for the NBA.