Cameroonian Christian Koloko was finally taken by the Toronto Raptors in 33rd position, Senegalese Khalifa Diop by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 39th and Congolese Yannick Nzosa in 54th, this June 23, 2022 in Brooklyn, during the recruitment session (Draft ) of the North American Basketball League (NBA). A Draft where the Italian-American Paolo Banchero was chosen first by the Orlando Magic.
Three new African players should soon join the ranks of the best basketball league in the world, the North American League (NBA). They are Cameroonian Christian Koloko, 22, born in Douala; Senegalese Khalifa Diop, 20; and Congolese Yannick Nzosa, 18, from Kinshasa.
All three were taken during the annual recruitment session for the best young basketball players, the Draft. A ceremony, organized this June 23, 2022 in Brooklyn, which saw Italian-American Paolo Banchero to be chosen firstby the Orlando Magic.
Koloko, Diop and Nzosa had to wait for the second round of the draft (each of the 30 NBA teams has the right to recruit two elements, in theory), which does not guarantee them a contract as solid as for beginners ( rookies) selected in the first round.
Christian Koloko with another Cameroonian, Pascal Siakam
Christian Koloko finally landed at the Toronto Raptors, after negotiations. A very African destination since the Canadian franchise has in its ranks the renowned Cameroonian Pascal Siakam as well as the promising Nigerian Precious Achiuwa, and its boss is the Nigerian Masai Ujiri.
Khalifa Diop, for his part, could therefore leave his Spanish club Gran Canaria for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In any case, he becomes the first Senegalese native drafted since Gorgui Dieng in 2013.
Finally, Yannick Nzosa, who also plays in Spain, on the Unicaja Malaga side, is a bit of a surprise guest at this 2022 Draft. Will the Washington Wizards give this very young interior a real chance?
Finally, it should be noted that five other players of African origin have been drafted this year: the Franco-Senegalese Ousmane Dieng (11th, New York Knicks), the American-Nigerians Ochai Agbaji (14th, Cleveland Cavaliers) and Mark Williams (15th, Charlotte Hornets), as well as Frenchman of Guinean and Malian origin Moussa Diabaté (43rd, Los Angeles Clippers) and Franco-Ivorian Ismaël Kamagaté (46th, Detroit Pistons).