Former NBA lottery pick saw wave of Nigerian players coming

FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 file photo, The Golden State Warriors first round draft pick, Ike Diogu from Arizona State, poses for the team photographer at Media Day at their headquarters in downtown Oakland, Calif. USA. The 2005 NBA Draft had its share of international players, but Ike Diogu was the lone Nigerian-American, but now fifteen years later, Nigerians are setting records. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 file photo, Nigeria's Ike Diogu, right, drives to the basket ahead of Spain's Pau Gasol during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the 2005 NBA Draft Ike Diogu was the only Nigerian-American, but now fifteen years later, Nigerians are setting records in last week's Draft with two players from Nigeria as first-rounders, and another six who have at least one Nigerian parent were also picked. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa (55) grabs a rebound against South Florida during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tampa, Fla. Achiuwa was selected by the Miami Heat in the NBA draft Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)