The NBA draft, held in New York City this week, will see Harlem-born University of Texas freshman Mohamed Bamba go in the first round, but there are a number of other African players to monitor on June 21.
Bamba, the seven-foot center of Mali and Ivory Coast parentage, has been reported on extensively, from how he's the best pick in the class, and how he wanted to go to the NBA straight out of high school.
Also this story from The Undefeated, and this video of him talking about training with Joel Embiid. And also the Mock Draft.
So, we know Mo. Here are six other Africans to play attention to.
Elie Okobo (Congo) - 6'2" 180 lbs - Point Guard - Pau-Lacq-Orthez
Following 2017 first round pick Frank Ntilikina in going from the French league to the NBA, Okobo has done enough to entice NBA scouts and become a potential first round draft pick.
Okobo's father is from Congo but the 20-year-old was born and raised in Bordeaux, France, before making the move to Pau-Lacq-Orthez in 2014 and rising from the youth team up to the senior team in fairly quick time.
A possible combo guard, Okobo is a good finisher at the rim and not shy when it comes to shooting the ball from behind the perimeter. An adept ball-handler, the lefty isn't afraid to use his off hand from time to time. A floor general, Okobo is also a willing passer of the ball, much like Ntilikina.
Defensively is where some might take issue with Okobo. Not dissimilar to certain point guards already in the league, Okobo is prone to lapses in concentration defensively and can often be found ball-watching. He will also need to learn to take better care of the ball and limit his turnovers, but the lefty will be a capable leader for whichever team selects him on Thursday.
NBA comparison - A left-handed Damian Lillard
Draft prediction - 1st round lottery pick (Top 14)
Elie Okobo is a 20-year old French point guard who rocketed up draft boards with a strong end of the season in France.
Josh Okogie (Nigeria) - 6'4" 213 lbs - Guard - Georgia Tech
Lagos-born Josh Okogie declared for the draft after a sophomore year in which he led Georgia Tech in scoring. He initially didn't hire an agent, thereby leaving open the possibility of a return to school for his junior year, but on deadline day for college students to withdraw their names from the draft, Okogie confirmed he would be staying in the 2018 group.
Coming off a sophomore season in which he became the primary ball handler due to an injury to the Yellowjackets' starting point guard, Okogie performed satisfactorily in that role but will likely end up playing off the ball more in the NBA.
The Nigerian is a satisfactory three point shooter but will need to improve in order to be considered a solid perimeter threat at the next level, and he is a good free throw shooter as well. He's not hesitant to take an open shot, and is still young enough to develop more offensive weapons in his game.
Defensively, the 19-year-old should excel with his 7-foot wingspan. He can guard multiple positions and is strong enough to do the same at small forward, while also being disciplined enough to stay in front of opposing players and contest any shot.
NBA comparison - Donovan Mitchell
Draft projection - Late 1st round- early 2nd round
Chimezie Metu (Nigeria) - 6'10" 220 lbs - Center - USC
Metu was born in Los Angeles but at the age of six moved to Nigeria. He returned to California when he turned 12, and developed into a top high school recruit, at which point he decided to attend the University of Southern California.
Considered a possible first round talent after his sophomore season, Metu returned to school for one more year in which he was named 1st team All-Pac-12, All-Academic Honorable Mention but most importantly, a three-year graduate with a degree in Law, History and Culture.
A forward with excellent athleticism, Metu has improved his game over his three years at Southern Cal and added post scoring and a nascent jump shot to his tool box. What he is best at right now (and what will translate at the NBA level) is running to the rim and finishing lobs.
Metu has a great defensive ceiling and will find playing time based purely on his mobility and athleticism defensively.
NBA Comparison - Clint Capela
Draft projection - Early 2nd round
Chimezie Metu used his size to his benefit on the defensive end for USC, ranking 7th on the Trojans' all-time list in blocked shots.
Hamidou Diallo (Guinea) - 6'5" 198 - Shooting Guard - Kentucky
One of the most explosive guards in the draft this year, Hamidou Diallo has had an interesting year since the 2017 NBA draft. The 19-year-old from Queens, New York tested the waters last year by throwing his name in the draft mix, but then decided to withdraw and enroll at the University of Kentucky.
The past season at Lexington was a trying one for him, as his play had a fair amount of hills and valleys. Inconsistency and sub-par scoring performances at times helped Diallo build character and understand the work needed to be done in order to prosper as a pro player.
Now the guard is ready to step up to the NBA but unfortunately for Diallo, his play this season has him sliding from possible late first round pick in 2017 to middle second round pick this week.
Diallo is gifted athletically and plays above the rim. Highlight reel dunks are in his bag of tricks but with most NBA scouts and analysts projecting him as a 3 and D type of player, Diallo will need to drastically improve his shooting and passing.
Defensively, the Guinean has good footwork and speed to play on-ball defense but will need to be sharper off the ball and avoid lapses, while also getting stronger to keep up with bigger guards and small forwards.
NBA comparison - Demar DeRozan
Draft projection - Mid 2nd rounder
Kentucky G Hamidou Diallo shows off his bunnies with this emphatic slam.
Isaac Bonga (DR Congo) - 6'9" 200 lbs - Forward - Frankfurt Skyliners (Germany)
The youngest player on the German national team, Isaac Bonga is one of the top young prospects from Europe and is turning some NBA front office heads as we get closer to draft day.
The 18-year-old, whose father is from Kinshasa, is a versatile wing player who can handle the ball neatly and is a good passer for a player with his large frame.
Defensively, the German has long arms and active hands to pester opposing players, in addition to good footwork. He will need to add bulk to his frame, as well as develop even a hint of a capable jump shot, in order to set himself up for success in the NBA, though.
The lure of a player with Bongas' measurables is something that normally attracts teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets, and Toronto Raptors, but with his ability to play positions 1-4, he will be in demand by teams in the second round willing to stash him back in Europe for a couple more years to develop.
NBA comparison - Giannis Antetokounmpo
Draft projection - Late 2nd round
Issuf Sanon (Burkina Faso) - 6'4" 185 lbs - Guard - Union Olimpija (Ukraine)
An attractive option at combo guard, Sanon is still developing as a player and will likely be loaned back to Europe by whichever team selects him in the draft.
Energetic, quick, and possessing the ability to finish well at the rim, Sanon has talent on both sides of the ball but has development to do in terms of curbing turnovers and developing a more consistent jumps hot. Don't expect to see Sanon in the association for at least another year or two.
NBA comparison - Jrue Holiday
Draft projection - Late 2nd round