Seven Nigerian-born basketball players based in United States of America have been identified as likely additions to the high-profile National Basketball Association (NBA) championship in the coming season, once they scale through the upcoming draft, megasportsarena.com reports.
A rundown of the old and new talents with high potentials of being part of Nigeria’s national team, D’Tigers at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, revealed that the associate coach, Alex Nwora’s son, Jordan Nwora remains a strong possibility for the NBA draft, along with Zeke Nnaji, Precious Achiuwa, Isaac Okoro, Onyeka Okongwu, Daniel Oturu and Ochai Agbaji.
All seven players have been lined up for possible selection from the draft based on their high marks in terms of anthropology, physical performance, technical ability, mentors, exposure levels and online presence.
This means they will be selected based on the ideal position they can play, which is critical to increasing their odds as well as combined data of their skills, which will look at how fast and agile they are, plus their endurance level in any given your position.
The 2020 NBA Draft will accord top collegiate prospects opportunities to battle one another in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) March Madness Tournament, ahead of which talented players overseas have been balling out and showcasing their skills all year long.
There is currently no clear No. 1 pick, but it will largely come down to which team wins the Draft Lottery and what that franchise needs for the future, in a three-way tie for the best odds of top notch gainers in Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 2020 NBA draft will offer teams both star-caliber talent and variety, as there is a potential top-five pick at every position, but the guard spots are especially strong this year, from which a surprise freshman center has already emerged to give the projected class a boost.
Other factors that are taken into account are offensive and defensive metrics like shooting, steals, assists, rebounds, points scoring and blocks, as well as previous leagues, team coaching, personal trainers, technical back-up, training camps, colleges, and preparatory school, as well as getting noticed by fans and important NBA people.
All seven Nigerians lined up for the next draft will have to take these factors into account, even as a post on social media hinted that that they have what it takes to scale the hurdles and pull through into the league that has been graced in the past by other Nigerian legends like Hakeem Olajuwon, Masai Ujiri and Olumide Oyedeji as well as the current generation of Victor Oladipo, Jahlil Okafor, Farouq Aminu, Bam Adebayo and Greece international, Giannis Adetokunbo.
The post via @NigeriaBasket noted: “Seven Nigerians have been projected by @DraftExpress to be drafted in the 2020 NBA Draft. Onyeka Okongwu (@BigO21_), Issac Okoro (@isaacokoro303) @PreciousAchiuwa, @JordanNwor, Zeke Nnaji (@ZekeNnaji_Hoopz), Daniel Oturu (@oturu65), Ochai Agbaji (@youngoch).”
