After Canada in 2019, Nigeria is therefore the star country of the 2020 Draft with two representatives in the first round, a first for this country, but also the presence of six players with at least one Nigerian parent like Isaac Okoro. (5th choice, Cleveland), Onyeka Okongwu (6th choice, Atlanta) or Zeke Nnaji (22nd choice, Denver) and Desmond Bane (30th, Memphis).
Now 37 years old, Ike Diogu was one of the pioneers of this African country since he was drafted in 9th position by the Warriors in 2005. Certainly, he did not equal Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Olowokandi, all two 1st choice of the Draft, but Diogu was one of the few Nigerians put forward in the 2000s. Still on the floor since he is currently competing in the qualifications for Afrobasket 2021, he explains that he had anticipated the arrival of this generation in the NBA.
“Players selected in the second round will be in better situations than in the first rounds”
« I saw the wave coming, but I’m just happy the rest of the world can see it “He confided to the Star-Tribune, and even if he grew up in the United States like most of the players drafted this season, he always felt Nigerian:” I was born in USA, but grew up in USA as a Nigerian. I hung out with the Nigerian community, I went to a Nigerian church, I went to Nigerian parties, and all of my friends, like my parents, were Nigerians. My parents always made sure that I considered myself Nigerian, and that I had to know the food, the culture, the music, everything … »
Despite this 9th place in the Draft, Diogu has never broken through in the NBA, and he hopes that his young compatriots will not repeat the same mistakes as him. ” It’s good, mentally, to prepare for anything He warns. ” A coach told me that I was complicating everything when I thought that as a rookie, I had to show what I could do. You have to simplify the game. You have to play your basketball style and let the game come to you, instead of trying to overdo it and putting the pressure on. »
And he is well placed to know that the place in the Draft does not necessarily mean much … ” As crazy as it sounds, there will be players selected in the second round who will be in better situations than early rounds. The line is thin between success and failure in the NBA. »
