Diaspora Drop

Leading up to #AfroBasket 2025, we’ve compiled reports on 6 impactful Under-23 players in collaboration with Okapi Sports, a data and media company tailored for the African basketball ecosystem.🧵

Mouhamed Mbacke Niane🇸🇳 has joined Angola’s Petro de Luanda as a member of the BAL Elevate program. The 7-foot teen possesses a versatile skill set, consistently spacing the floor while rebounding well and finishing inside. Stylistically similar to Jaren Jackson Jr.

Mansour Bayo🇬🇲 was ultra aggressive in his 1st ANGT-Bologna, powering his way to a double-double average and the all-tournament team. He showed fluidity in the open court, scored well from the post, facing up and as a long roll man. The forward averaged 13 PPG 10.5 RPG 1.8 SPG

Evals on prospects from the last FIBA WCQ Window: open.substack.com/pub/diasporadr…

Mervedi Miteo🇨🇩 again showed flashes of long term effectiveness in his second senior national team call. He combined brute strength with good touch, light feet and finesse at the rim as one of the window’s top prospects. Read about the others at the link below.

Franck Nyembo🇨🇩 played a national team career high 30 minutes in a tough loss and produced as a high energy play-finisher. He’s become key for this team and played efficiently in this FIBAWC qualifier window. The 19 year old posted: 14 PTS 7 REB 5/7 FG 1/1 3PT 3/3 FT

Obinna Ekezie🇳🇬 proved why he is the top big man of his generation at BWB Global, using impressive physical tools to protect the rim and bully opponents in the paint and on the glass. The defensive MVP flashed perimeter skill and hub potential, making plays from the high post.

Appolinaire Loussavouvou🇫🇷🇨🇩 broke out in his 3rd ANGE. He showed good on-ball decision-making, using strength and counters to get to the paint and nearly had a 3:1 A:TO ratio. Productive on both sides of the ball, he made the all tournament team with: 15 PPG 5 RPG 7 APG 3 SPG

Team Camp Champs: LA Clippers (L to R) K’Nard Callendar 🇻🇮 Felipe Quinones Garcia 🇵🇷 Ricards Aizpurs 🇱🇻 Jahmai Drayton 🇹🇹 Ignas Stombergas 🇱🇹 Maksim Brnovic 🇲🇪 Noah El Baze 🇲🇦 Nikola Karalic 🇷🇸

Cheickh Niang has shown steady growth real flashes in Italy this year. youtu.be/DE8lcNWH4E8

Obinna Ekufu is a guard that plays with a high compete level. youtu.be/TlngEkGdXGo

BWB All-Star Camp has kicked off and here is a rundown of the African selections this year.

Basketball Without Borders Africa 2025 Standouts: open.substack.com/pub/diasporadr…

Noah El Baze🇲🇦is the only BWB Global participant who also played in BWB Africa last summer. Recently debuting with NBA Academy Africa, the high-feel floor general plays and passes with flare, elevating everyone around him. Discover other standouts from BWB Africa 2025 below.

🇬🇭 Joel Patrick (6’10 | ‘28) has been one of the more impactful defenders in NJ as a sophomore at St Joe’s Metuchen Over the last month he averaged 5 stocks per game and had one of the highest block rates in the nation. Came in at #2 in my last 2009-born African rankings

2025-26 Newcomers: open.substack.com/pub/diasporadr…

Papa Mouhamed Sow shined in his NBA Academy debut over the weekend after getting called up for the Avance Global Cup. Who are the academy’s newcomers? Discover them below.

2025-26 Returners: open.substack.com/pub/diasporadr…

As NBA Academy Africa kick of the Advance Global Cup, who are the team’s returners? Find the evals below.