Breaking Down Barriers: The Rise of African Players in the NBA
For years, Godwin Owinje, a seasoned scout and co-founder of Giants of Africa, has been championing the cause of African players in the NBA. His tireless efforts to promote the talents of these athletes have finally started to bear fruit.
A Continent on the Rise
Owinje’s journey began when he played college hoops at Georgetown. He went on to have a successful scouting career in the NBA, working with various teams, including the Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, and Philadelphia 76ers. However, it’s his work with Giants of Africa, a organization he co-founded with Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, that has brought him the most joy.
Giving Back
Giants of Africa has been instrumental in providing opportunities for young African players to develop their skills and further their education. One of the organization’s biggest success stories is Precious Achiuwa, who has given back to his community by revamping the court of Basketball Africa League (BAL) bronze medallists Rivers Hoopers. Owinje beams with pride when talking about Achiuwa’s achievements, saying, “That’s what we preach when we run our camp. We preach it to the kids: when you get a chance – when your platform is big enough to give back – please do it.”
A New Era
The NBA is finally starting to take notice of the talent coming out of Africa. This year’s draft promises to be an exciting one, with several African players expected to make a splash. Owinje is confident that players like Khaman Maluach and Rueben Chinyelu will make a name for themselves in the league. “Gone are those days when African kids – people talked negatively of them, [saying things like] they are too raw, they are too mechanical, they are too robotic – all those so-called terminologies they used about African players,” he says.
Breaking Down Barriers
Owinje’s work is not just about promoting African players; it’s also about breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes. He believes that the continent has come a long way in terms of eradicating negative perceptions about African players. “This year, Ulrich Chomche got drafted. Next year, Khaman is going to be in the draft; Rueben is most likely going to be in the draft. There are a bunch of other kids that will most likely be in the draft. For the last 5-7 years, Africa has been making a name for itself in the draft process,” he says.
A Bright Future
As Owinje looks to the future, he’s excited about the prospect of taking on a more prominent role in the NBA. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his friend Masai Ujiri and become a front office executive. “Of course it is. I want to be at the front office,” he says when asked about his ambitions. “Five years from now or less than that, I would like to see myself in a managerial position [in the] front office, making decisions.” With his passion, dedication, and expertise, there’s no doubt that Owinje will continue to make a significant impact on the world of basketball.
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