Five Nigerians & Corona standout selected in 2017 NBA draft

With the 2017 NBA season right around the corner, there are two historical moments from this summer's draft that are worth highlighting, by both the Nigerian community and Southern Californians. For the first time in NBA history, five Nigerian-American athletes were selected into the draft, setting a trend for upcoming Nigerian professional athletes. The NBA draft is an extremely selective process, where players are scouted from all over the world based upon their size, skill set, and potential NBA career. The list of Nigerian draftees this year included: Bam Adebayo (Kentucky), OG Anunoby (Indiana), Wesley Iwundu (Kansas State), Sam Ojeleye (SMU) and Ike Anigbogu (UCLA).

Ike Anigbogu Is a former Corona Centennial standout and recent UCLA bruin who played only one year in college. Anigbogu was drafted 47th in the second round by the Indiana Pacers and will play alongside college teammate TJ Leaf. The 6’10 C/F from Corona is the first Centennial Husky to be drafted into the NBA, and the youngest athlete in his draft class at just 18 years old. In college he played alongside recent Los Angeles Laker draftee and Chino Hills standout Lonzo Ball. Anigbogu's draft selections marks a new beginning for professional talent to arise from Corona Centennial in the Inland Empire of Southern California.

The selection of these athletes is reminiscent of Lagos-born NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, who was the first pick in the 1984 draft by the Houston Rockets. Olajuwon goes down as one of the best Nigerian basketball stars of all time having played over 18 years, winning 2 NBA championships and 2 NBA Finals MPV awards (94’ & 95’). He was given the nickname “the dream” for his ability to dunk the ball so effortlessly during his career. Little did he know that he would be a model for future Nigerian athletes to follow in his footsteps as they make their NBA ‘dreams’ become a reality. I am certain that these players will additionally dream of making an NBA finals appearance or an all-star selection like fellow Nigerian NBA athlete Giannis "the greek freak" Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Best of luck to these five athletes and their professional careers.